There are two sentences below.
- I fell over the stone on my way over.
- I fell on the stone on my way over.
What is the difference between 'fell over' and 'fell on' in the two sentences?
grammar
There are two sentences below.
What is the difference between 'fell over' and 'fell on' in the two sentences?
Best Answer
The different is not a nuance. These are two different verbs.
to fall (intransitive) - This is the verb with the most general meaning. It means that the subject descends under the action of gravity.
to fall over (intransitive) - This indicates that the subject starts in a metastable state (e.g. standing up) and topples whilst in contact with the ground. It ends in a more stable state (e.g. lying on its side)
to fall over (transitive) - This refers to a moving subject that collides with an object and topples as a result. The final positions of subject and object are undefined.
Note that to fall on is not a phrasal verb. It is an example of meaning 1. The subject falls and comes to rest on top of the object.