General Versus Specific Words: How Do You Walk?

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Last updated: May 8, 2018 at 7:43 am

walk photoIf you’re starting to panic at the thought of what building your vocabulary has to do with how you walk, calm down.

The word “walk,” is a verb and the dictionary defines the verb “to walk” as “to move at a regular and fairly slow pace by lifting one foot and setting it down in turn….”

OK, so you get the picture. The word “walk” is a general word for moving about using the feet. But there are also more specific words which are closely related to the word walk.

Stroll – to walk in a leisurely way.

Saunter – to walk in a slow, relaxed manner.

Trudge – to walk slowly and with heavy steps.

Stride – to walk with long, decisive steps in a specific direction.

March – to walk in a military manner with regular measured tread.

Totter – to move in a feeble and unsteady way.

Rush – to move with urgent haste.

Pace – to walk in a steady and consistent pace, especially back and forth as though suffering from anxiety.

Swagger – to walk in a confident or arrogant way.

Limp – to walk with difficulty- typically because of injury.

Stagger – to walk unsteadily – as if about to fall.

Plod – to walk doggedly and slowly with heavy steps.

Strut – to walk with a stiff, erect, and apparently arrogant gait.

Amble – to walk at slow, relaxed pace.

Toddle – (of a young child) to walk with short, uneasy steps while learning to walk.

Specific words paint a clearer, sharper and more colorful picture. Replace the general word walk above with more specific words from the list above.

  1. A young child walked across the lawn.
  2. Into the cabin walked a half-starved prospector.
  3. The injured rugby player walked to the bench.
  4. A few of us walked through the mud and slush.
  5. Angrily, the science teacher walked into the room.
  6. At 9:03, he walked into the school.
  7. Being early, we walked through the park.
  8. In company formation, the cadet walked down the street.
  9. The proud winner of the prize walked to the platform.
  10. Having nothing to do, he walked into the office.
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