downwards

downwards — 副詞

1. moving or pointing toward a place that is lower or closer to the ground.

1.副詞A2
釋義

向下；往下

朝更低的位置或地面

moving or pointing toward a place that is lower or closer to the ground.

例句

Theo carefully climbed downwards from the roof, holding the ladder with both hands.

Theo 小心翼翼地從屋頂往下爬，雙手緊緊抓住梯子。

climb + downwards (directional movement)

Ari pointed downwards at the trail of ants on the pavement.

Ari 指向下方，看著人行道上的螞蟻隊伍。

point + downwards (direction of gesture)

同義詞
  • downward

    identical in meaning; 'downward' is preferred in American English and also functions as an adjective

  • down

    more common in everyday spoken English; slightly less formal than 'downwards'

反義詞
  • 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

❌The downwards trend continued for months.
✅The downward trend continued for months.
💡'Downwards' is an adverb; use 'downward' (without -s) as an adjective before a noun.

2. toward a lower amount, price, level of quality, or worse condition — used for nu

2.副詞B1
釋義

下降；降低

數量、價格或程度減少

toward a lower amount, price, level of quality, or worse condition — used for numbers, rates, standards, or settings that are decreasing.

例句

The price of oil moved sharply downwards after the government announced the new policy.

政府在宣布新政策後，油價大幅往下走。

move + downwards (figurative: prices and rates)

Mei turned the volume downwards so her baby brother could sleep.

Mei 把音量調低，好讓她的小弟弟能睡覺。

turn + downwards (adjusting a setting)

同義詞
  • downward

    same figurative meaning; more common in American English

  • lower

    used as an adjective or verb ('to lower'), not an exact synonym but expresses the same direction of change

反義詞
  • 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.

常見錯誤

❌The company reported a downwards profit.
✅The company reported a downward profit trend.
💡Use 'downward' (without -s) as an adjective.