down vs downstairs

[mrwroc]

Can I use "down" and "downstairs" interchangeaby in sentences below?


1. Is this lift going down? vs Is this lift going downstairs?
2. She went down to see who was at the door. vs She went downstairs to see who was at the door.
3. a down bathroom vs a downstairs bathroom

 

[GoesStation]

"Downstairs" is incorrect in one and "down" is incorrect in three. It's possible in number two, but it doesn't necessarily mean "downstairs". For example, you could say that if she'd been outside on a hill in the yard.

 

[Tarheel]

Can I use "down" and "downstairs" interchangeably in the sentences below?


1. Is this lift going down? vs Is this lift going downstairs? No.
2. She went down to see who was at the door. vs She went downstairs to see who was at the door. Maybe.
3. a down bathroom vs a downstairs bathroom. No.

Lifts (elevators) go up and down. They do not go upstairs and downstairs. There is no such thing as a down bathroom.

(Cross posted.)

 

[mrwroc]

OK so I can use "downstairs" in thwo contexts:
- a downstairs kitchen, bedroom, room etc.
- go, run etc. downstairs (only stairs, not a elevator)

Thank you

@Tarheel thank you for correcting my mistakes

 

[Tarheel]

OK so I can use "downstairs" in two contexts:
- a downstairs kitchen, bedroom, room etc.
- go, run etc. downstairs (only stairs, not a elevator)

Thank you.

[STRIKE]@[/STRIKE]Tarheel, thank you for correcting my mistakes.

OK.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Can I use "down" and "downstairs" interchangeaby in sentences below?


1. Is this lift going down?

That is correct and natural.

vs Is this lift going downstairs?

That means exactly the same thing but is not natural.

2. She went down to see who was at the door. vs She went downstairs to see who was at the door.

Those are both natural and mean the same thing.

3. a down bathroom

There is no such thing.

vs a downstairs bathroom

That is correct and natural.

cb