slower
slower — adjective
- slowerpositive
- slowerercomparative
- slowerestsuperlative
1. having or moving at less speed than someone or something else; taking more time
having or moving at less speed than someone or something else; taking more time than is usual or expected for a particular action or journey.
Putri carried a much heavier bag than Maja, so Putri walked slower on the way home.
comparative: slower + than + noun phrase
The bus was slower than the train, but the ticket cost half as much.
slower + than + noun for comparing vehicles
Nikhil found that writing letters by hand was slower than typing on his phone.
Daichi chose the slower road through the countryside because he wanted to enjoy the autumn leaves.
Internet speeds in the building became much slower after everyone started working from home.
文法句型
slower + than + noun
much + slower
even + slower
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'than' to show what is being compared. Intensifiers such as 'much,' 'a lot,' 'far,' and 'even' commonly appear before 'slower' to strengthen the comparison.
常見錯誤
2. less lively, action-packed, or interesting when compared to other films, books,
less lively, action-packed, or interesting when compared to other films, books, plays, or other forms of entertainment.
Antonia left the cinema saying the second movie was slower than the first one.
slower + than — comparing films
Many readers felt the middle section of the novel was slower than the exciting opening chapters.
The play's second act dragged on much slower than the first, and several people fell asleep.
Noor found the documentary slower than the action films she usually watched on weekends.
- livelier
suggests more energy and action
- faster-paced
directly opposite in rhythm
文法句型
slower + than + noun
much slower
用法筆記
Common in reviews and casual opinions about films, books, and performances. 'Much slower' and 'a lot slower' are the most frequent intensifiers in this sense.
常見錯誤
3. learning new things, understanding ideas, or noticing details less quickly than
learning new things, understanding ideas, or noticing details less quickly than other people.
Nikhil was slower than his classmates at solving math puzzles, but his answers were always correct.
slower + at + gerund — describing ability
The new assistant was slower to learn the office procedures than the manager had hoped.
slower + to + infinitive — describing learning speed
Daichi seemed slow to his coworkers, but he was simply careful with every detail.
Because Maja was slower to learn to swim than her friends, she practiced every day.
- less sharp
softer phrasing; suggests slower thinking rather than low intelligence
- denser
informal and potentially rude; best avoided
文法句型
slower + than + noun
slower to + verb
slower at + noun/gerund
用法筆記
Can be offensive in direct address — avoid telling a person they are 'slow.' Used descriptively about learning pace rather than as a fixed label. 'Slower to + verb' is slightly more polite than 'slower at + noun.'
常見錯誤
4. indicating a moment before the actual correct hour; falling behind the real time
indicating a moment before the actual correct hour; falling behind the real time by a set number of minutes on a timepiece.
The clock in the hallway was ten minutes slower than the watch on Michael's wrist.
[number] minutes + slower + than — specifying the difference
The alarm clock in Michael's room had been running slower than usual, so he woke up late.
running + slower + than usual — describing ongoing behaviour
My kitchen clock is about five minutes slower, so I always add extra time when I bake.
Talia noticed the train station clock was nearly three minutes slower than her phone.
- behind
more general; 'the clock is ten minutes behind' means the same thing
文法句型
[number] minutes + slower + than
running + slower + than
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used with clocks, watches, and timers. 'Fast' is the opposite for the same sense. The difference is usually given as a number of minutes before 'slower.'
常見錯誤
5. set to a gentle level of heat for cooking or baking; having a temperature that i
set to a gentle level of heat for cooking or baking; having a temperature that is lower than what is typical for a particular dish.
The recipe said to use a slower oven than normal for roasting the chicken.
slower oven — set phrase in cooking instructions
Jiwoo baked the cake at a slower temperature so the middle would be fully cooked.
Wren set the oven to a slower heat to dry the herbs without burning their leaves.
Putri roasted the vegetables at a slower heat so they would turn sweet and soft.
文法句型
slower + oven
slower + heat
slower + than
用法筆記
Almost always refers to oven temperature in recipes or cooking instructions. 'Slower' in this sense means 'cooler' or 'more gentle' — not 'taking more time,' though that is often the result.
常見錯誤
slower — verb
- slowerpresent simple I / you / we / they
- slowers3rd person singular
- slowering-ing form
- sloweredpast simple
1. to move at a reduced pace or to cause something to go less fast; to become or ma
to move at a reduced pace or to cause something to go less fast; to become or make something less active or busy.
Noor saw the red light ahead and began to slow the car down well before the intersection.
slow + noun + down — transitive phrasal verb
The express train slowed as it pulled into the station and then came to a complete stop.
slow (intransitive) — vehicle reduces speed on its own
Eshe decided to slow down after the first lap to save energy for the final mile of the race.
Rising interest rates have slowed economic growth in several countries this year.
- decelerate
formal; used in technical or scientific contexts, not everyday speech
- ease up
informal; suggests relaxing effort rather than reducing speed mechanically
- speed up
the direct opposite — to increase speed
- accelerate
formal opposite; to go faster
文法句型
slow + noun + down
slow + down
slow to + speed
用法筆記
The phrasal verb 'slow down' is far more common than 'slow' alone in everyday speech. 'Slow up' exists but is less frequent and primarily American. In formal or written English, 'slow' can appear without a particle ('The economy slowed').
常見錯誤
slower — adverb
1. at a speed that is less than before or less than that of another person or thing
at a speed that is less than before or less than that of another person or thing; used after verbs of movement or action to describe a reduced pace.
Michael walked slower than his younger brother because his shoes were hurting his feet.
verb + slower + than — comparing two people's speeds
Could you please speak a little slower? I do not understand very fast English yet.
a little + slower — polite request with hedge
The river flows slower during the summer months when there has been very little rain.
Jiwoo drove slower than usual because the mountain road was covered in ice.
- more slowly
the formal alternative; preferred in academic and professional writing
- faster
the direct comparative adverb opposite
- more quickly
formal opposite
文法句型
verb + slower + than
even + slower
a little + slower
用法筆記
In informal English, 'slower' is used as a comparative adverb without '-ly' ('drive slower'). In formal writing, 'more slowly' is preferred. Both forms are grammatically accepted, though some style guides recommend 'more slowly' in careful writing.