Slow movement and gradual processes

The idea

Use slow before a noun or after be for movement or a process that takes a long time.

Examples

• The slow train stops at every village.
• Traffic is slow near the bridge.
• A slow turtle crossed the path.
• The download was slow this afternoon.
• Learning a new skill can be a slow process.
• The slow growth of the plant surprised us.

Watch out

Use slowly to describe how an action happens: walk slowly, not walk slow in standard formal English.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the right word. The bus moves at a low speed; it is ___. (slow / fast)

   Show answer or example answer

   slow

   Slow describes the bus moving at low speed.

2. Choose the right word. Repairing the road takes months; it is a ___ process. (slow / quick)

   Show answer or example answer

   slow

   Slow fits a process that takes a long time.

3. Choose the right word. Please walk ___. (slow / slowly)

   Show answer or example answer

   slowly

   Slowly describes how the person walks.

Use it today

Describe a slow journey and a process that takes time.