slowly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'slowly' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the way something is done (e.g. moving, speaking, thinking, etc.) over time. For example: "He slowly walked up the stairs, taking one step at a time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he added: "Sometimes parts of the Conservative party move but they move more slowly, or a few paces behind the centre of gravity of social attitudes which have changed and will probably continue to change in ways that it is hard to predict.

The Guardian

But slowly.

The Economist

In the summer of 2004, a young jihadist in shackles and chains was walked by his captors slowly into the Camp Bucca prison in southern Iraq.

The Guardian

Like that of the Holocaust itself, the story of Terezín's music revealed itself only slowly over time – and was not widely known until Czech violinist Joza Karas published a book in 1985, Music in Terezín.

The Guardian - Music

Since we buy again, we slowly come back to a more competitive level.

The Guardian - Sport

Slowly the Westminster classes are beginning to contemplate what might happen if the current numbers hold up and where that would lead the governance of the country.

The Guardian - Opinion

By contrast, the US programme to "train and equip" a Syrian force to fight Isis – though not Assad – is moving agonisingly slowly after its launch in Jordan a few weeks ago.

The Guardian

But the cogs of the machine are turning slowly.

The Guardian

There, scientists have since been slowly revealing the Hunley's secrets.

The Guardian

("Great styles and great music!") It dawns on me slowly, like a rather chilly dawn, that I also had a 1950s wedding.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Normally you start playing more slowly once you have passed the age of 50," Karpov said.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process that requires care or precision, "slowly" can indicate attention to detail. "He slowly unscrewed the delicate mechanism."

Common error

Avoid using "slowly" with verbs that already imply slowness, such as "crawl" or "dawdle". Instead of saying "He crawled slowly", simply say "He crawled".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "slowly" is as an adverb. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to describe the manner in which an action is performed, indicating a reduced pace or gradual progression. Ludwig confirms its usability and correctness as an adverb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slowly" functions as an adverb to describe the manner of an action, indicating a gradual or unhurried pace. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is frequently found in News & Media, denoting a deliberate pace. For alternatives, consider "gradually" or "leisurely" to adjust the nuance. Avoid redundancy by not pairing "slowly" with verbs that already imply slowness. By understanding these best practices, you can effectively use "slowly" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradually

Focuses on the incremental nature of the change or action.

unhurriedly

Directly implies the absence of haste.

at a snail's pace

Emphasizes extreme slowness, often suggesting tediousness or inefficiency.

in a slow manner

A more formal and descriptive way of expressing slowness.

leisurely

Suggests a relaxed and unhurried manner.

at a reduced speed

More literal and descriptive, focusing on the speed itself.

deliberately

Highlights a conscious and careful pace.

gingerly

Implies caution and care, often due to potential danger or fragility.

steadily

Emphasizes a consistent, but not necessarily fast, progress.

moderately

Suggests a pace that is neither fast nor slow, but balanced.

FAQs

How can I use "slowly" in a sentence?

You can use "slowly" to describe the manner in which an action is performed, such as "The car "slowly moved" down the street" or "She "slowly began to understand" the situation".

What can I say instead of "slowly"?

You can use alternatives like "gradually", "leisurely", or "unhurriedly" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "slowly walk" or "walk slowly"?

Both "slowly walk" and "walk slowly" are grammatically correct, but "walk slowly" is generally preferred as it's more common in standard English.

What's the difference between "slow" and "slowly"?

"Slow" is an adjective that describes something with a low speed, while "slowly" is an adverb that describes how an action is performed at a low speed. For example, "a slow car" versus "the car moved slowly".