along
along
Pronunciation
/əˈlɔŋ/ (American English)
First Syllable (a-): /ə/
This is the unstressed "schwa" sound, which is the most common vowel sound in English. It sounds like the 'a' in about or the 'u' in supply.
Second Syllable (-long): /lɔŋ/
This syllable begins with the /l/ sound as in light, followed by the /ɔ/ vowel sound as in awe or caught, and ends with the /ŋ/ consonant sound as in sing.
Word Form Variations
"Along" is an invariable word, which means it does not have different forms (like singular/plural nouns or past/present tense verbs). It remains "along" regardless of its grammatical context.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Preposition
Definition: Following the path, line, or length of a specific place or object.
Synonyms: beside, down the length of, following the course of
Antonyms: across, perpendicular to, against
Adverb
Definition 1: In a forward or onward direction; progressing from one point to another.
Synonyms: forward, onward, ahead
Antonyms: backward, back
Definition 2: In the company or presence of someone or something; as an accompaniment.
Synonyms: with, together, in company
Antonyms: alone, separately, solo
Definition 3: To a further stage of progress or development.
Synonyms: developing, advancing, progressing
Antonyms: stalling, regressing, halting
Examples of Use
In Books
As a preposition, describing movement on a path: "He wandered along the river-bank, while his ears were still ringing with the sound of the joyous voices..." (Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows)
In Newspapers
Describing the route of an event: "The procession made its way along Surf and Stillwell avenues, with some marchers spilling over onto the boardwalk." (New York Post)
In Online Publications
Used in a travel guide to describe a trail: "The trail continues along a dramatic cliff-side path high above the churning turquoise ocean." (Condé Nast Traveler)
In Entertainment
As a command in a film: "Move along. Move along." (Stormtrooper, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope)
In a song lyric indicating progress: "Moving right along in search of good times and good news, with good friends you can't lose." (Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear, "Movin' Right Along" from The Muppet Movie)
In a television series to ask about progress: "How's the investigation coming along?"
In General Public Discourse
As a common question in a professional setting: "How are you coming along with that quarterly report?"
As a plea for harmony in a public statement: "Can we all get along?" (Rodney King, Public Statement, May 1992)
10 Quotes Using Along
"Can we all get along?" (Rodney King)
"Movin' right along in search of good times and good news." (Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear, "Movin' Right Along" from The Muppet Movie)
"All along the watchtower, princes kept the view." (Bob Dylan, "All Along the Watchtower")
"I'll go along with you!" (The Scarecrow, The Wizard of Oz)
"Come along, Pond!" (The Eleventh Doctor, Doctor Who)
"The Walrus and the Carpenter were walking along the strand." (Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking-Glass)
"Move along. Move along." (Imperial Stormtrooper, Star Wars: A New Hope)
"As you go along, you find out that it's all a big joke." (John Lennon)
"I'm making this up as I go along." (Common Idiom)
"Move along, there's nothing to see here." (Popular Culture Trope)
Etymology
The etymology of along is very straightforward and can be traced directly back to Old English. In essence, the word is a compound that means exactly what it sounds like.
Think of it as a mash-up of two ancient parts:
a-: The "a" at the beginning is a worn-down version of the Old English prefix and-, which meant something like "against," "facing," or "alongside."
long: This comes from the Old English word lang, which meant "long," just as it does today.
When you put them together, the original Old English word was andlang. Its literal meaning was "along the length of" or "in a line with."
First Known Use and Meaning
The first known use of this word dates back more than a thousand years to the Old English period (before the year 900).
Its original meaning was almost identical to how we use it today as a preposition. To travel andlang a river meant to travel following the course of its length. It also had a slightly broader meaning as an adjective, signifying "continuous" or "entire," in the way we might now say "all day long." Over the centuries, as English evolved, the pronunciation of andlang softened until it became the simple, familiar word "along" that we use today.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Along
All along
To have been true from the beginning.Get along with
To have a harmonious or friendly relationship.Go along with
To agree with a person or to accept a decision.Come along
To accompany someone; to make progress or develop.Move along
To proceed or to tell others to disperse.Sing along
To join in singing a song that is already playing or being sung.Play along
To pretend to cooperate with a plan or story.Tag along
To follow or join a person or group, sometimes uninvited.String someone along
To deceive someone over a period of time, especially about one's true intentions.Along for the ride
To be present for an event without actively participating in it.Along the lines of
Similar in type or character to something else.Chug along
To progress slowly but steadily and with effort.Run along
A casual or sometimes dismissive way to say "go away."Along in years
An older or more gentle way to say that someone is elderly.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of along from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
