he was slow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was slow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's pace or speed, whether in physical movement, thought process, or response time. Example: "During the race, he was slow compared to the other competitors, which affected his overall performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He was slow.

Independent

He was slow to pay up.

Britannica

"He was slow pay, everybody knew".

The Guardian

He was slow to show serious promise.

The Guardian - Sport

He was slow to admit the scale of the problem.

The Economist

"Tom knew his steel, but frankly he was slow.

The New York Times

He was slow, even, to start his re-election drive.

The New York Times

He was slow and I was the fat kid.

The New York Times - Sports

But he was slow, flat-footed and regularly beaten in coverage drills all afternoon.

The New York Times

She was just fifteen, but she was quick and he was slow.

The New Yorker

He was slow, but he could get it done because of his brain".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse in formal writing; replace with more descriptive terms like "deliberate" or "methodical" depending on the intended meaning.

Common error

Don't equate "he was slow" with a lack of intelligence. Slowness can relate to physical speed, reaction time, or processing information, and doesn't necessarily indicate cognitive ability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was slow" functions as a descriptive statement, attributing the quality of slowness to a male subject. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in various contexts, from physical attributes to cognitive processing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was slow" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a lack of speed or quickness. As Ludwig AI confirms, its applications range from physical movement to cognitive processing. While versatile, context is key: more nuanced language may be required in formal settings to prevent unintended negative implications. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, reflecting its everyday applicability in describing events and people.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was not quick

A direct synonym, emphasizing the absence of speed.

he wasn't fast

Simple and direct, indicating a lack of speed.

he wasn't the quickest

Suggests a relative lack of speed compared to others.

he was sluggish

Implies a lack of energy and reduced activity.

he lacked agility

Focuses on the absence of quickness and nimbleness.

he had delayed reactions

Highlights slow response times.

he was behind schedule

Focuses on not meeting a specific timeline.

he was tardy

Emphasizes lateness in arrival or response.

he took his time

Implies a deliberate slowness or lack of urgency.

he was a late bloomer

Describes someone who develops later than others.

FAQs

What does "he was slow" mean?

The phrase "he was slow" generally means that someone lacked speed or quickness in a particular context, whether physically, mentally, or in terms of reaction time.

What are some alternatives to saying "he was slow"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "he lacked agility", "he was not quick", or "he was sluggish".

Is it appropriate to use "he was slow" in a formal setting?

While grammatically correct, "he was slow" might be perceived as informal or even critical in a formal setting. Consider using more nuanced language that specifies the type of slowness, such as "he was deliberate" or "he was methodical".

How can I use "he was slow" in a sentence?

You can use "he was slow" to describe a variety of situations, such as "He was slow to react to the changing market conditions", or "He was slow on the uptake, but eventually understood the concept".