slower
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adverb:
- At a reduced speed; with less rapidity: The comparative form of "slowly," indicating a decrease in the rate of motion or action compared to something else.
Usage and Examples
- Adverb:
- Please drive slower on this icy road. (This advises reducing the speed of the vehicle.)
- He reads slower than his sister, but he understands the text better. (This compares his reading speed to his sister's, indicating his is less rapid.)
- The clock is running slower, so we need to adjust it. (This describes a decreased rate of operation.)
Advanced Usage
- "to go slower": to reduce one's pace or speed.
- As the hill got steeper, the hikers had to go slower.
- "to take it slower": to proceed with reduced intensity or haste.
- After his illness, the doctor advised him to take things slower at work.
Variants and Related Words
- Slow (adjective): Not fast; moving or capable of moving at a low speed.
- The traffic was slow this morning.
- Slowly (adverb): The base form from which "slower" is derived.
- She walked slowly through the park.
- Slowest (adverb): The superlative form.
- Whoever types the slowest has to buy coffee.
Synonyms
- More slowly: The formal equivalent.
- At a more leisurely pace: With less hurry.
- Less quickly: The opposite of "more quickly."
Notes on Usage
- In formal writing, "more slowly" is often preferred over "slower" when used as an adverb. However, "slower" is widely accepted and commonly used in both spoken and written English.
- Formal: Could you speak more slowly?
- Common: Could you speak slower?
- "Slower" can also function informally as a comparative adjective in non-standard constructions, but its primary and standard function is as an adverb.