Preposition – “Down”
Down
Preposition down with the meaning towards, in a lower place:
Here are examples of how the preposition down is used with the meaning of towards or in a lower place with verbs of motion:
She walked down the stairs to the basement.
In this example, down indicates movement towards a lower place (the basement) using the verb walked.
The cat climbed down from the tree.
Here, down shows the direction of movement as the cat descends from a higher place (the tree), using the verb climbed.
The hikers hiked down the mountain after reaching the summit.
Down signifies the descent from a higher place (the mountain) with the verb hiked.
He slid down the slide at the playground.
In this case, down is used to describe the direction of motion (sliding) on a structure that typically slopes downward (the slide).
The rainwater flowed down the gutter and into the drain.
Down indicates the direction in which the rainwater is moving (towards a lower place, the drain) with the verb flowed.
She carefully climbed down the ladder to reach the ground.
Down shows the direction of movement as she descends from a higher position (the ladder) using the verb climbed.
The skiers skied down the steep slope of the mountain.
In this example, down describes the direction of movement (skiing) on a downward slope (the steep slope of the mountain).
He rolled the ball down the hill, and it picked up speed.
Down indicates the direction of motion as the ball moves towards a lower point (down the hill) with the verb rolled.
These examples demonstrate how down is used to indicate movement towards or in a lower place in conjunction with various verbs of motion.
Down as an adverb:
Here are examples of how the adverb down is used with the meaning of below, beneath, or at the bottom:
The treasure chest was buried deep down in the sand.
In this example, down indicates that the treasure chest is buried beneath the surface of the sand.
She found her lost keys down at the bottom of her purse.
Here, down signifies that the keys were located at the lowest part of her purse.
The temperature drops significantly when you go down into the underground subway station.
Down in this sentence suggests that the temperature decreases as you descend below the surface into the subway station.
The scuba divers explored the coral reef deep down in the ocean.
In this case, down emphasises the depth of the location in the ocean where the divers explored.
The hidden cave was tucked away down among the hills.
Down here means that the cave is located among or beneath the hills.
The ancient ruins lie hidden down beneath the modern city.
Down in this context conveys that the ancient ruins are located below the modern city’s surface.
The roots of the tree spread out deep down into the soil.
Here, down indicates the direction in which the tree roots penetrate beneath the soil’s surface.
The sunken ship rests peacefully down on the ocean floor.
Down suggests that the sunken ship is now situated at the bottom of the ocean.
These examples illustrate how the adverb down can be used to describe a location or position that is below, beneath, or at the bottom of something.
The verbs requiring preposition down:
While there isn’t an exhaustive list of verbs that always require the preposition down, as the usage of prepositions can vary depending on context and regional differences, here are some common verbs that are often used with down to indicate direction, descent, or lowering:
Climb down: To descend from a higher place.
She climbed down the ladder carefully.
Slide down: To move downward on a sloping surface.
The children love to slide down the playground slide.
Walk down: To move in a downward direction on foot.
He walked down the hill to get to the village.
Write down: To record information on paper or in a document.
Please write down the important details.
Break down: To stop functioning or fail.
The car broke down on the way to the beach.
Lay down: To place something in a horizontal position.
She laid the book down on the table.
Sit down: To take a seat.
Let’s sit down and have a chat.
Put down: To place something on a surface.
He put down the groceries on the kitchen counter.
Settle down: To establish a stable life or residence.
After travelling the world, he decided to settle down in a small town.
Knock down: To cause something to fall by striking it.
The strong winds knocked down the trees.
Hunt down: To pursue and capture or find something or someone.
The police were able to hunt down the fugitive.
Tear down: To demolish or destroy a structure.
They decided to tear down the old building and construct a new one.
Chop down: To cut down a tree or large plant.
They needed to chop down some trees to clear space for the new garden.
Bring down: To cause something to fall or reduce something in size or number.
The news of the scandal brought down the company’s stock prices.
Write down: To note or record information.
Don’t forget to write down the meeting agenda.
Lie down: To recline or rest in a horizontal position.
After a long day at work, she likes to lie down on the couch and relax.
Settle down: To establish a stable life or residence; also used to mean calming oneself or others.
Establishing residence: After years of travelling, they decided to settle down in the countryside.
Calming oneself: Take a deep breath and settle down; everything will be fine.
Go down: To move or descend to a lower level or location.
We need to go down to the basement to find the missing boxes.
Come down: To move or descend from a higher position to a lower one.
He asked her to come down from the treehouse.
Calm down: To become or make someone less agitated or anxious.
She needed a few minutes to calm down after the argument.
Jump down: To leap or spring from a higher place to a lower one.
The cat jumped down from the windowsill to the floor.
These are some common phrases using down as a preposition with verbs. The use of down in these phrases typically emphasises a downward direction, a change in state, or the act of lowering oneself or something else.
Here are some common word combinations and phrases that include the word down:
Breakdown: A failure or collapse of something, often used in reference to machinery, relationships, or communication.
The breakdown of the car left us stranded on the highway.
Countdown: A backward counting of time to an event or deadline.
The countdown to the New Year’s Eve fireworks began.
Hand down: To pass something on to the next generation or to transmit information or a decision.
The family heirloom was handed down from generation to generation.
Knockdown: Reducing the price or value of something significantly.
The clearance sale offered knockdown prices on various items.
Putdown: A critical or disparaging remark or action meant to belittle or insult someone.
Her constant putdowns made him feel worthless.
Sit-down: A meeting or gathering where participants sit to discuss or negotiate something.
The union called for a sit-down with management to discuss labour issues.
Shut down: To close or cease operations, often used in the context of businesses, machinery, or systems.
The factory had to shut down temporarily due to a power outage.
Track down: To search for and locate someone or something.
The detective was determined to track down the missing person.
Breakdown lane: The emergency lane on a highway is used for vehicles in distress.
He pulled over to the breakdown lane when his car had a flat tyre.
Breakdown cover: Insurance or service that provides assistance in case of vehicle breakdowns.
It’s essential to have breakdown cover when travelling long distances.
Wind down: To relax or gradually reduce activity or stress levels.
After a long day at work, he liked to wind down by watching TV.
Hand me down: Used clothing or other items that have been passed on from one person to another, often within a family.
I wore my older sister’s hand-me-down clothes when I was younger.
Meltdown: The process of melting a solid substance into a liquid, or a metaphorical term for a loss of control or composure.
The chocolate chips started to melt down as they were heated.
He had a meltdown when he realised he had lost his wallet.
Up and down: Refers to a vertical movement or a thorough search or inspection of an area.
He paced up and down the room, deep in thought.
We searched up and down for the missing keys.
Upside down: A position where the top becomes the bottom or something is turned in the opposite direction.
She accidentally hung the picture upside down.
The car ended up upside down after the accident.
Turn upside down: To flip or reverse the position of something so that the top becomes the bottom.
He turned the cake upside down to remove it from the pan.
The strong winds turned the umbrella upside down.
Up the ante: To increase the stakes or level of commitment in a situation.
In negotiations, they decided to up the ante by demanding more concessions.
Up and coming: Refers to someone or something that is rising in popularity or prominence.
The city’s up-and-coming restaurant scene is attracting food enthusiasts.
Down the line: Refers to something happening in the future, often with a focus on consequences.
These decisions will have implications down the line.
We’ll address that issue down the line.
Down in the dumps: Feeling sad, depressed, or in a low mood.
She has been down in the dumps since her pet passed away.
Down and out: Refers to someone who is destitute or experiencing extreme hardship.
After losing his job, he ended up down and out on the streets.
Turn down: To decline or reject an offer, request, or invitation.
Unfortunately, she had to turn down the job offer.
He turned down the invitation to the wedding.
These word combinations and phrases demonstrate the various ways in which down is used to modify or enhance the meaning of other words in English expressions.
Preposition – “Beside” and “Besides”
Preposition – “Among (Amongst)”
The Preposition place in sentences