descend the stairs v. descended the stairs

[hhtt21]

Which of the following is correct? If either is correct then which one is more idiomatic?

1) He descended the stairs.

2) He descended down the stairs

Thank you.

 

[SoothingDave]

"Descended" is already down. You can't descend up.

"He came down the stairs" would be the most natural way.

 

[GoesStation]

Number 1 is correct.

 

[hhtt21]

What do you think about "he climbed down the stairs" ?

Thank you.

 

[hhtt21]

What do you think about "he went down the stairs" instead "he descended the stairs" ?

Thank you.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think it is okay.

 

[Roman55]

What do you think about "he went down the stairs" instead "he descended the stairs" ?

Thank you.

Both 'coming' or 'going' down the stairs are fine. The choice usually depends on the speaker's position.

 

[Rover_KE]

'He climbed the stairs' always means 'He went up the stairs' — possibly involving some effort on his part, either through infirmity or burdened with a load.

 

[Matthew Wai]

Both 'coming' or 'going' down the stairs are fine. The choice usually depends on the speaker's position.

I think 'walking down the stairs' fit any positions.

 

[Roman55]

I think 'walking down the stairs' fits any position[STRIKE]s[/STRIKE].

As long as the person is walking.

 

[hhtt21]

'He climbed the stairs' always means 'He went up the stairs' — possibly involving some effort on his part, either through infirmity or burdened with a load.

But can "climb down the stairs" find usage?

Thank you.

 

[Roman55]

But can "climb down the stairs" find usage?

Thank you.

You'd be more likely to 'climb down the ladder'.

 

[Matthew Wai]

As long as the person is walking.

I think few people would run down the stairs because it is dangerous and might end up rolling down the stairs.

 

[SoothingDave]

Cats and dogs, too.

 

[hhtt21]

Not if you come down the stairs in the normal way.

What could be an abnormal way for a usual person so that he could have climbed down the stairs?

Thank you

 

[hhtt21]

He could swing over the banister and make his way down the outside of the staircase.

What is the difference between stairs and staircase for this context?

Thank you.

 

[hhtt21]

Stairs might mean just the steps, but staircase, if there is any, is banister, and walls.

Thank you.

 

[hhtt21]

Staircase and flight of stairs are really new concepts for me because we don't use them usualy in my native, I am not sure even if they are corresponding words but now I would like to ask another question which make clarify this thread.

What could be an abnormal way for a usual person so that he could have climbed down the stairs?

He could swing over the banister and make his way down the outside of the staircase.

Does "he could swing over the banister" mean that "he could jump over the banister to the ground or lower floor" ?

Thank you.

 

[White Hat]

Have you tried www.onelook.com? That's always the first port of call when we have questions about the meanings of words.

'first port of call' - SPLENDID!