[General] To slide or to slip

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Gilles L

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Nov 17, 2007
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Canada
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Dear Teacher,
Which one of the above two verbs is most appropriate in the following sentence:

I climbed up a ladder then the ladder ( slid/slipped) along the wall since the floor was wet.

Should I be using the verb (to slip or to slide) ?
 

billmcd

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Mar 27, 2009
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Dear Teacher,
Which one of the above two verbs is most appropriate in the following sentence:

I climbed up a ladder then the ladder ( slid/slipped) along the wall since the floor was wet.

Should I be using the verb (to slip or to slide) ?

In that context I would use "slid" (for an object), and "slipped" for a person.
 

Raymott

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Jun 29, 2008
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Australia
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Dear Teacher,
Which one of the above two verbs is most appropriate in the following sentence:

I climbed up a ladder then the ladder ( slid/slipped) along the wall since the floor was wet.

Should I be using the verb (to slip or to slide) ?
'Slide' always has some element of moving some distance. Since "along the wall" is used, then 'slide' is appropriate.
You can slip on ice, but once you've slipped, if you keep moving, you are sliding. You can slip on ice (fall over) without sliding any distance. You can also slide along the ice without slipping (if that's what you're trying to do).
 
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