Slow vs Slowly Flashcards
(2 cards)
Slow
SLOW (adjective or adverb ( informal use))
* Meaning: Not fast; taking more time.
* Used to describe a noun (person, place or thing) or sometimes as an adverb in casual speech. Tells us what something is like.
* Think of it as an adjective: “a slow car,” “a slow person,” “a slow computer.”
Examples:
1. The train is slow. (Describes the train — adjective)
2. He is a slow runner. (Describes the person — adjective)
3. Drive slow! (Informal adverb — common in spoken English, though grammatically “slowly” is better
4. My internet is very slow today.
5. * He is a slow driver.
6. * The turtle is slow, but steady.
7. * Traffic is slow during rush hour.
8. * That old fan runs slow. (informal)
9. * This computer is very slow today.
10. * He is a slow walker.
11. * The traffic was slow because of the rain.
12. My phone feels slow after the update.
13. The elevator is really slow in this building.
Slowly
SLOWLY (adverb)
* Meaning: In a slow way or manner; not quickly.
* Used to describe an action (verb): an action or how something is done.
* Think of it as answering the question: “How?” – “He walks slowly.” (How does he walk?)
Examples:
1. The old man walks slowly. (Describes how he walks — adverb)
2. She spoke slowly so we could understand her.
3. Please drive slowly in the rain.
4. * Please speak slowly. I’m still learning English.
5. * She opened the gift slowly to build suspense.
6. * The baby crawled slowly across the floor.
7. * He slowly walked towards the door.
8. * The leaves slowly changed color in autumn.
9. * Please drive slowly — children are playing here.
10. * She read the sentence slowly to understand it better.
11. * He answered slowly, thinking carefully.
12. * Walk slowly; the floor is wet.
13. * The teacher spoke slowly so the students could follow.
Grammar Tip:
* Use “slow” to describe things or people.
* Use “slowly” to describe how something is done (an action).
Easy Trick:
* Slow = describes what something is.
* Slowly = describes how something happens.
Quick Grammar Tip (For Students)
Question Use
What is it like? → “The car is slow.” Use slow (adjective)
How is it done? → “He drives slowly.” Use slowly (adverb)
Practice Sentences:
❌ Incorrect ✅ Correct
He talks slow. (informal) He talks slowly.
Move slow. (informal) Move slowly.
The computer is slowly. The computer is slow.
Contrast Pairs (Side-by-Side for Understanding):
With SLOW With SLOWLY
This clock is slow. The clock is ticking slowly.
He is a slow eater. He eats slowly.
My phone is slow. It loads pages slowly.
She’s a slow learner. She learns slowly.
That car is too slow for racing. It moves slowly on the highway
