herd down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "herd down" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not a standard expression and may confuse readers due to its ambiguity. Example: "The cattle began to herd down the valley as the sun set."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The government's reduction policy was aimed at keeping the overall herd down to a level that was "ecologically, economically and culturally sustainable" while at the same time guaranteeing the animals' welfare.

The Guardian

From that field of 30, the judges will thin the herd down to 10 finalists, and those teams will demo their product to the world on The Next Stage at Disrupt.

TechCrunch

Rick and Michonne drive two cars with the metal wire between and mow the herd down.

HuffPost

Within seconds of the start of the siren, there was a pack of kids of all ages running like a herd down the street towards the synagogue, their parents and the illusion of safety.

Huffington Post

Cull those cows and bulls that are pulling your herd down.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

There was barely a negative report about the race, despite some lingering difficulties and local color, such as cows herded down roads outside the circuit and journalists and Formula One personnel occasionally having to use motorized rickshaws.

The New York Times - Sports

In some regiments, riderless horses were let loose and herded down into the valley like a mob of cattle".

Wikipedia

Soon the victims reached an open area, where they were forced to strip, and then were herded down into the ravine.

Wikipedia

The herd calms down, and nibbles some grass.The practical reason is that economies and markets are indeed connected, through trade, through flows of capital, and through multinational companies.

The Economist

Herd turned down both offers because he had already decided to move on.

Science Magazine

Frightened by tourists the herd moves down to a more dangerous crossing point.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing moving livestock, use more precise verbs like "drive", "lead", or "guide" combined with a direction (e.g., "drive the cattle down the road") to enhance clarity.

Common error

Using "herd down" can sound awkward or unclear to native English speakers. Opt for clearer alternatives such as "drive down" or "move down" for better comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "herd down" functions primarily as a verb phrase, attempting to describe the action of moving a group of animals to a lower location or directing them downwards. However, according to Ludwig AI, the expression is not considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "herd down" is used to describe the movement of a group of animals, but it's considered grammatically questionable and non-standard English. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English. While examples exist, they come from diverse sources like news articles, wikis and blogs and the phrase is generally ambiguous. For clearer communication, it's better to use more precise and conventional alternatives, such as "drive the herd", "bring the cattle down", or "move the animals downward". Pay attention to the context in order to choose the most adequate alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drive the herd

Focuses on actively moving the entire group of animals, emphasizing the guiding aspect.

bring the cattle down

Emphasizes the act of leading or accompanying livestock to a lower location.

round up the livestock

Implies gathering scattered animals into a contained group.

lead the flock down

Implies direction and guidance, suited to scenarios where a guide or leader is moving the animals downwards.

guide the animals below

Highlights a directed movement towards a lower level or area.

move the animals downward

Indicates a shift in elevation of the group of animals, without a specific intention.

direct the herd

Highlights the act of providing directions to the animals.

funnel the group downwards

Suggests narrowing or concentrating the group as it moves lower.

push the herd downward

Suggests applying force or pressure to make the herd move.

descend with the herd

Emphasizes a movement made together with the group of animals.

FAQs

What does "herd down" mean?

While "herd" relates to a group of animals, the phrase "herd down" is non-standard and lacks a precise definition. More common alternatives include "drive down" or "move down", depending on the intended meaning.

How can I use "herd" correctly in a sentence?

Use "herd" as a noun to refer to a group of animals (e.g., "a herd of cows") or as a verb to describe the act of gathering or moving animals as a group (e.g., "farmers herd cattle").

What are some alternatives to "herd down" that are more commonly used?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "drive the herd", "bring the cattle down", or "move the animals downward".

Is "herd down" considered grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "herd down" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English. It's better to use more conventional phrases.