Shadowing Practice: Phrasal verb prepositions: DOWN part 07: DOWN means SECURE / NOT MOVE - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Hi everyone and welcome back.
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Today we're going to take another look at the preposition down and what it can mean when it's used with phrasal verbs.
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So in a previous video we saw that down can mean low position
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and we can extend this to get the idea of secure or not moving.
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So why is this?
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Well, when an object is in a lower position, it tends to be more secure and less likely to move than one that's in a higher position.
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Therefore, we can think of down as meaning secure or not move.
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So let's take a look at some examples of phrasal verbs with down, in which down means secure or not moving.
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How do you think we could describe this?
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Here a man clamps the wood to prevent it from moving.
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So we can say the man clamps down the wood. would.
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Clamps means clamp, and down means not move.
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So the sentence means, the man clamp, not move, the wood.
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Which just means, the man clamps the wood so it doesn't move.
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Alright, let's try another one.
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How do you think we could describe this using a phrasal verb with down?
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Here, a man uses straps to secure a canoe to the roof of his car.
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So we can say, the man straps down the canoe.
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Straps means use straps and down means secure.
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So the sentence means the man uses straps to secure the canoe.
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Alright, let's try one more.
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How do you think we could describe this?
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Here, a man bolts a bench to the ground to prevent it from moving.
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So we can say, the man bolts down the bench.
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Bolts means use bolts, and down means not move.
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So the sentence means, the man uses bolts, not move, the bench.
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Which just means, the man uses bolts so the bench won't move.
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So I hope this helped you understand the preposition down a little bit better
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and why it can sometimes mean secure or not move.
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And we'll see you next time.
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Cheers.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This video has 31 sentences and 344 words to shadow. The speech runs for 3:43. The speaker talks slowly, about 93 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. 85% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 less common words from the video, with pronunciation and meaning:
- bolt /boʊlt/ (noun) — A (usually) metal fastener consisting of a cylindrical body that is threaded, with a larger head on one end. It can be inserted into an unthreaded hole up to…
- strap /stɹæp/ (noun) — A long, narrow, pliable strip of leather, cloth, or the like.
- bench /ˈbɛnt͡ʃ/ (noun) — A long seat with or without a back, found for example in parks and schools.
- verb /vɝb/ (noun) — A word that indicates an action, event, or state of being.
- canoe /kəˈnuː/ (noun) — A small long and narrow boat, propelled by one or more people (depending on the size of canoe), using single-bladed paddles. The paddlers face in the direction…
- extend /ɛkˈstɛnd/ (verb) — To increase in extent.
- cheers /t͡ʃɪəz/ — A common toast used when drinking in company.
- clamp /ˈklæmp/ (noun) — A brace, band, or clasp for strengthening or holding things that are apart together.
- phrasal /ˈfɹeɪzəl/ (adjective) — Relating to, or used in the manner of, a phrase.
- preposition /ˌpɹɛpəˈzɪʃən/ (noun) — Any of a class of non-inflecting words and multiword terms typically employed to connect a following noun or a pronoun, in an adjectival or adverbial sense…
- secure /səˈkjʊɹ/ (adjective) — Free from attack or danger; protected.
- sentence /ˈsɛn.təns/ (noun) — The judicial order for a punishment to be imposed on a person convicted of a crime.
- describe /dɪˈskɹaɪb/ (verb) — To represent in words.
- tend /ˈtɛnd/ (verb) — To look after (e.g. an ill person.)
- object /ˈɑb.d͡ʒɛkt/ (noun) — A thing that has physical existence but is not alive.
Phrasal verbs you will hear
- look at (verb) — To observe or watch.
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 4 contractions and reduced forms, such as doesn't, we'll, we're. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like bolt, strap, bench.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.