along

/ə'lɔɳ/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
along

We walked along the riverbank on a sunny afternoon.

Definition
  1. Preposition:

    • In a line matching the length or direction of something: Indicates movement or position following the line of something long, such as a road, river, or path.
    • At a point on the line of something: Indicates a location somewhere on the length of something.
  2. Adverb:

    • Moving forward or onward: Indicates forward movement or progression.
    • As a companion or in accompaniment: Indicates accompanying someone or something.
    • Toward a more advanced state: Indicates progress or advancement in a situation.
    • In transmission or succession: Indicates passing something from one person or place to the next.
Usage Examples
  • Preposition:

    • We walked along the beach. (We walked following the line of the shore.)
    • There are shops along the main street. (Shops are located at various points on the main street.)
  • Adverb:

    • She was singing as she drove along. (She was singing while moving forward in the car.)
    • I brought my umbrella along. (I brought my umbrella with me as a companion.)
    • How is your project coming along? (How is your project progressing?)
    • Please pass this message along to the team. (Please transmit this message to the team.)
Advanced Usage
  • "all along": For the entire time; from the beginning.

    • I suspected the truth all along. (I had that suspicion for the whole duration.)
  • "along with": In addition to; together with.

    • She arrived along with her colleagues. (She arrived in the company of her colleagues.)
  • "get along": To manage or cope; to have a harmonious relationship.

    • How are you getting along in your new job? (How are you managing in your new job?)
    • The two sisters get along very well. (The two sisters have a good relationship.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Alongside (preposition/adverb): Close to the side of; next to.
    • The boat was moored alongside the pier. (The boat was positioned next to the pier.)
Synonyms
  • Preposition: Beside, by, down.
  • Adverb: Forward, onward, together.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Come along: To arrive or appear; to make progress.

    • A new opportunity came along. (A new opportunity appeared.)
    • Your English is coming along nicely. (Your English is progressing well.)
  • Move along: To proceed forward; to leave a place (often an order).

    • The police asked the crowd to move along. (The police told the crowd to proceed forward/leave.)
  • Play along: To cooperate, often by pretending to agree.

    • He decided to play along with their plan. (He decided to cooperate with their plan.)
Related Idioms
  • Go along for the ride: To participate passively without a serious interest in the outcome.

    • I don't have an opinion; I'm just going along for the ride. (I'm participating without a strong stake in the matter.)
  • String someone along: To deceive someone over a period of time about your intentions.

    • He was just stringing her along with false promises. (He was deceiving her with promises he wouldn't keep.)
along

We walked along the riverbank on a sunny afternoon.

Adverb
  1. in line with a length or direction (often followed by `by' or `beside')
    • pass the word along
    • ran along beside me
    • cottages along by the river
  2. in addition (usually followed by `with')
    • we sent them food and some clothing went along in the package
    • along with the package came a bill
    • consider the advantages along with the disadvantages
  3. to a more advanced state
    • the work is moving along
    • well along in their research
    • hurrying their education along
    • getting along in years
  4. in accompaniment or as a companion
    • his little sister came along to the movies
    • I brought my camera along
    • working along with his father
  5. with a forward motion
    • we drove along admiring the view
    • the horse trotted along at a steady pace
    • the circus traveled on to the next city
    • move along
    • march on