walking slowly

USAGE SUMMARY

"walking slowly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone moving at a slow pace. For example: "The elderly woman was walking slowly, her cane tapping against the pavement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Walking slowly, he appeared disorientated.

The Guardian

He was walking slowly through the mall.

The New York Times

A philosopher starts by walking slowly.

The Guardian - Books

So we left, walking slowly, looking back.

The New York Times - Sports

He reappeared a few minutes later, walking slowly.

The New York Times

He was walking slowly down the street, unentouraged and unhassled.

The New Yorker

He turned back to the Sergeant, walking slowly.

The New Yorker

He was walking slowly and we too slowed our pace.

The Guardian - Books

"Foreigners and natives were walking slowly along the paths.

The Guardian - Travel

We rounded a corner and there, walking slowly before us, was Bob Goheen.

Princeton University

The clip shows Calhoun, with thicker, darker hair, stunned, walking slowly off the court.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "walking slowly" to clearly and directly convey a lack of speed in movement. It's suitable when the pace is a key aspect of the description, for example, when contrasting it with running or rushing.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "walking slowly" when describing a scene. Vary your descriptions with synonyms like "sauntering", "strolling", or descriptions of the character's emotional state or physical condition, to add depth and nuance to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "walking slowly" functions as a gerund phrase, where "walking" acts as a noun and "slowly" modifies it. This phrase typically acts as an adverbial modifier, describing the manner in which someone or something moves, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "walking slowly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, serving primarily to describe a reduced pace of movement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across a wide array of contexts. While its versatility makes it a reliable choice, writers should consider synonyms to add nuance and variety to their descriptions. The phrase sees common usage in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Wiki" sources, suggesting its appropriateness for both formal and informal communication. Remembering to vary descriptions and avoid overuse will enhance writing quality and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

walking at a reduced speed

A more formal way of expressing the same idea.

strolling

Implies a relaxed and unhurried walk, typically in a pleasant setting.

sauntering

Suggests a casual and relaxed pace, often with an air of nonchalance.

ambling along

This suggests a leisurely, unhurried walk, often for pleasure.

taking a leisurely walk

Highlights the relaxed nature of the walk rather than just the slow speed.

moving deliberately

Highlights intention and purpose behind the slow pace.

creeping along

Implies very slow and cautious movement, perhaps due to stealth or difficulty.

plodding along

Implies a slow, heavy, and laborious walk.

proceeding at a snail's pace

This emphasizes extreme slowness.

shuffling

Describes a slow walk with dragging feet, often due to age or infirmity.

FAQs

How can I use "walking slowly" in a sentence?

You can use "walking slowly" to describe someone's pace. For example: "She was "walking slowly" down the street, enjoying the sunshine."

What are some alternatives to "walking slowly"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "strolling", "sauntering", or "ambling along".

Is "walking slowly" grammatically correct?

Yes, "walking slowly" is grammatically correct. "Walking" is a gerund (a verb form acting as a noun) and "slowly" is an adverb modifying the verb. Ludwig AI confirms that this is correct and usable in written English.

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

"Walking slowly" emphasizes the manner of walking (the action), while "slow walking" emphasizes the characteristic of the walk itself. For example, "Walking slowly, she admired the flowers" focuses on the act of walking, whereas "Her "slow walking" was due to a recent injury" highlights the nature of her gait.