downwards
downwards — adverb
1. moving or pointing toward a place that is lower or closer to the ground.
moving or pointing toward a place that is lower or closer to the ground.
Theo carefully climbed downwards from the roof, holding the ladder with both hands.
climb + downwards (directional movement)
Ari pointed downwards at the trail of ants on the pavement.
point + downwards (direction of gesture)
The autumn leaves floated gently downwards and settled on the grass.
Folake glanced downwards at her watch and realized she was late.
- upwards
the opposite direction: towards a higher position
用法筆記
Frequently used with verbs of motion such as climb, move, fall, float, and with verbs of direction such as point, look, and glance. In American English the shorter form 'downward' is more common; both are grammatically correct in all varieties.
常見錯誤
2. toward a lower amount, price, level of quality, or worse condition — used for nu
toward a lower amount, price, level of quality, or worse condition — used for numbers, rates, standards, or settings that are decreasing.
The price of oil moved sharply downwards after the government announced the new policy.
move + downwards (figurative: prices and rates)
Mei turned the volume downwards so her baby brother could sleep.
turn + downwards (adjusting a setting)
The quality of the river water has been slipping downwards for several years.
Christopher revised his sales predictions downwards after the slow start to the year.
- upwards
toward a higher amount, level, or price
用法筆記
Common with verbs describing reduction or decline: move, slide, slip, revise, adjust, turn. The subject is typically an amount, price, rate, level, setting, or expectation. 'Downwards' cannot be used as an adjective — use 'downward' for that role.