Meaning & use
moving slowly
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Meaning
phrase
In the process of moving at a low speed; not moving quickly.
Grammar: Used as a participial phrase; it can describe a noun (e.g., 'the moving slowly car') or be part of a progressive verb (e.g., 'is moving slowly').
Patterns
- something is moving slowly
- moving slowly along
- moving slowly through
The traffic was moving slowly because of the accident.
She watched the clouds moving slowly across the sky.
The snail is moving slowly across the leaf.
Common combinations
- moving slowly along
- The river was moving slowly along the valley.
- moving slowly through
- The hikers were moving slowly through the dense forest.
- traffic moving slowly
- The traffic was moving slowly on the highway.
Synonyms and how they differ
- crawling
- Implies moving very slowly, often on hands and knees or at a snail's pace.
- creeping
- Suggests moving slowly and quietly, often to avoid notice.
- inching
- Means moving very slowly, bit by bit.
Opposites
Commonly confused: moving slowly or slowly moving?
moving slowly vs slowly moving
The same meaning, but 'slowly moving' is less common; 'moving slowly' is the standard phrase.
Practice
The line of cars was ______ through the toll booth.
Choose one answer.
The past progressive 'was moving slowly' describes an ongoing action in the past. 'Move slowly' is the base form, 'moved slowly' is simple past, and 'moves slowly' is present tense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “moving slowly”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.