English Lesson
People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth.
Nhat Hanh
The English language is incredibly rich and there is often one word or expression which describes something very specific and in great detail. For example, here are some of the many words to precisely describe different ways of walking.
To stride
To walk quickly with long steps.
He strode across the room and lovingly embraced her.
To march
To walk with regular, forceful steps like a soldier, often because you are angry.
She had an argument with the manager and marched out of the shop.
To shuffle
To walk by pulling your feet slowly along instead of lifting them off the ground.
The old man shuffled across the room leaning on his Zimmer frame (UK) / walker (US).
To tiptoe
To walk on your toes with your heel off the ground.
She tiptoed quietly past the children’s bedroom, trying not to be heard.
To creep
To move slowly, quietly and carefully, often with your body close to the ground to avoid being noticed.
The thief crept along the corridor.
To prowl (about / around)
To walk quietly, trying not to be seen or heard, often in a suspicious way.
A man was seen prowling around the neighborhood, and someone called the police.
To wade
To walk with difficulty through deep water.
The river was deep and we had to wade across to the other side.
To stagger
To walk with a lack of balance, as if you have trouble standing or walking.
The drunken man staggered out of the pub.
To limp
To walk in a slow, uneven way, usually because you have hurt your leg or foot.
She twisted her ankle and had to limp across the car park to get to her car.
To stretch your legs
To get up and go for a walk after sitting in the same position for a long time.
After driving for a couple of hours it’s a good idea to stop and stretch your legs.
To paddle
To walk with bare feet in shallow water, especially in the sea.
My parents used to paddle in the sea every day when they were on holiday in Blackpool.
To stroll
To walk in a slow, relaxed way, especially for pleasure.
We strolled around the park after lunch.
Jack Scholes has a first degree in Modern Languages from Liverpool University, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education and EFL from London University, and he is also a Licensed Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming. He has over 40 years experience in ELT and is now a freelance writer and teacher trainer.
