Cool MateDown vs Downwards
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Down
High-frequency chunkA1adverb
Downwards
Top 3,000 (common)B2adverb
Most common: Down
| Down | Downwards | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/daʊn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/daʊn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈdaʊnwədz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈdaʊnwərdz/"]/ |
| Meaning | A word meaning below or to lower something. | Moving to a lower place or level. |
| Example | She quickly ran down the hill. | She was lying face downwards on the grass. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | High-frequency chunk | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | sit down, bring down, down the road | look downwards, move downwards, trend downwards |
| Antonyms | up, higher, above | upwards |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'down' with 'up' when indicating direction., Using 'down' incorrectly with certain verbs like 'set down' instead of just 'set'., Using 'down' where a more specific preposition might be better, like 'beneath'. | Using 'downward' instead of 'downwards' in British English contexts., Confusing 'downwards' with 'downward' when referring to direction., Not using the word when describing a decrease in something like prices or temperatures. |
| Usage notes | Use 'down' to indicate direction or position. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts but avoid using it in overly formal writing where more specific terms might be required. | Commonly used in both written and spoken English. Often refers to physical movement or direction, but can also indicate a decrease in status or quality. Avoid in highly formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Down vs Downwards
What's the difference between Down and Downwards?
Down: A word meaning below or to lower something. Downwards: Moving to a lower place or level.
Which is more common: Down and Downwards?
Down is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Down and Downwards?
Downwards is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Down and Downwards the same CEFR level?
Down: A1, Downwards: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Down and Downwards?
Down: adverb, Downwards: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Down: She quickly ran down the hill. Downwards: She was lying face downwards on the grass.
Can I use Down and Downwards interchangeably?
Not always. Down and Downwards are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.