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Diego
Hi I am a native Spanish speaker and wanted to ask why do people say “down” when giving directions? EX: Let’s say I ask for a direction to the bank, and the other person says: “Walk down three blocks and turn left”. Are there different ways of giving directions? Does the word down means go down a hill? I’m confused.
Oct 31, 2020 3:36 PM
Answers · 4
The word "down" has many meanings. The most common refers to a change in height or altitude, the opposite of "up". But one of the others refers to going further along something or further away from the starting point, in any direction. When you use it with this meaning, it is a preposition and usually is followed by an object. "Go down the street." "Walk down three blocks." But when you get to the elevator .... "Do I go up or down?" Here "down" is an adverb modifying the verb "go" asking about which vertical direction.
October 31, 2020
Good question Diego, we are on the same page.
October 31, 2020
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Diego
Language Skills
English, Spanish
Learning Language
English
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