down the pavement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "down the pavement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of moving along a sidewalk or pathway, typically in a walking context. Example: "She strolled down the pavement, enjoying the warm sunshine and the sound of birds chirping."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Running down the pavement.

The Guardian

Libertarianism has left the road and is now driving down the pavement.

The Guardian

WHEN partly treated sewage oozes out of the ground at an elementary school and starts to pour down the pavement, the situation has a way of focusing a parent's attention.

The New York Times

The square is nice and quiet, we keep it clean too," he said, nodding at one of his employees who was busy washing down the pavement behind the restaurant.

The Guardian

Another man was hit by a flying barrier, while a woman stood "frozen in panic" thinking she was going to die as Dodson's car careered down the pavement towards her, the court heard.

BBC

Further down the pavement on Calle 23, a woman sobbed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

And yet I find myself gasping up and down the pavements of Sydney day and night, having signed up for the City 2 Surf run in a few weeks' time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the leading case of Elizabeth v. Pavement Co., a suit in equity for the infringement of a patent for an improvement in wooden pavements was brought against a city, as well as against the contractor who had laid down the pavements.

Cornell University

In the video, Rojas appears to handcuffed, face down on the pavement, curling into a fetal position as the blows rain down.

Vice

The advertisement showed a bloodied man down on the pavement.

The New York Times

She set the fur down on the pavement where it assumed the shape of a dog.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "down the pavement", consider the geographical context. "Sidewalk" is more common in American English, while "pavement" and "footpath" are prevalent in British English. Choosing the appropriate term enhances clarity and relevance for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "down the pavement" to describe vehicular movement. The pavement is specifically for pedestrians; vehicles travel "on the road" or "down the street".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "down the pavement" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs of motion to indicate the direction or location of the movement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "down the pavement" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to describe movement along a pedestrian walkway. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, this phrase is widely used in neutral contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "along the sidewalk" or "on the footpath" exist, the choice depends on regional dialect and specific nuance. It's crucial to reserve "down the pavement" for pedestrian movement and avoid using it to describe vehicles. With a solid expert rating, "down the pavement" remains a reliable and descriptive phrase in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

along the sidewalk

Replaces "pavement" with "sidewalk", offering a more common term, particularly in American English. The meaning remains largely unchanged.

on the footpath

Substitutes "pavement" with "footpath", a term commonly used in British English, providing a regional variation with equivalent meaning.

on the sidewalk

Similar to "along the sidewalk", but uses "on" instead of "along", maintaining the same meaning and context.

down the street

Offers a broader term indicating movement along a road, where "pavement" specifically refers to the pedestrian walkway alongside the road.

along the walkway

Replaces "pavement" with "walkway", suggesting a more general path for walking, which might not necessarily be alongside a road.

on the paved surface

Replaces "pavement" with a descriptive term, emphasizing the nature of the surface being walked on, though less idiomatic.

down the path

Broader term for a route traveled, potentially less formal than the original phrase.

along the hardtop

A more technical description focusing on the surface material, suitable where the material is relevant.

on the concrete

Specifies the material of the pavement, useful when emphasizing the surface type.

along the blacktop

Uses another term for a paved surface material. Usually is asphalt.

FAQs

What does "down the pavement" mean?

The phrase "down the pavement" means moving along a paved path intended for pedestrians, typically located alongside a road. It describes the action of walking or traveling on this designated walkway.

What can I say instead of "down the pavement"?

You can use alternatives like "along the sidewalk", "on the footpath", or "down the street" depending on the specific context and regional dialect.

Is it more correct to say "down the pavement" or "along the pavement"?

Both "down the pavement" and "along the pavement" are acceptable, but "down the pavement" implies a direction of movement, while "along the pavement" suggests movement parallel to it. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "pavement", "sidewalk", and "footpath"?

"Pavement" is a general term for a paved surface, while "sidewalk" (American English) and "footpath" (British English) specifically refer to a paved path for pedestrians alongside a road. The terms are often interchangeable but carry regional connotations.