move
A1Neutral (used across all registers from informal to formal)
Definition
Meaning
To change position or location; to cause something to change position.
To take action; to change one's residence; to make progress; to provoke an emotional response; to propose a motion in a formal meeting.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb 'move' is highly polysemous, covering physical motion, emotional impact, procedural actions, and residential change. Its meaning is heavily context-dependent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. In the context of property, 'move house' is more common in British English, while 'move' or 'relocate' suffices in American English. Spelling differences exist in derived forms (e.g., 'movable' vs. 'moveable').
Connotations
Similar in both varieties. The phrasal verb 'move on' can have slightly stronger connotations of emotional progression in AmE.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both varieties with no significant disparity.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[V] (intransitive: The cat moved.)[V + ADV/PREP] (He moved to London.)[VN] (transitive: She moved the chair.)[VN + ADV/PREP] (They moved the meeting to Friday.)[V that] (formal: I move that the meeting be adjourned.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “move heaven and earth”
- “move the goalposts”
- “get a move on”
- “on the move”
- “make the first move”
- “move with the times”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for job changes ('move to a new role'), strategic shifts ('move into a new market'), and proposals ('I move we accept the offer').
Academic
Used to describe theoretical progression ('the argument moves to its conclusion'), population shifts, or procedural steps in an experiment.
Everyday
Predominantly used for changing physical position, changing homes, and taking general action.
Technical
In computing/chess: a command or an action within a defined system. In physics: change in position relative to a frame of reference.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- Selling the flat was a smart move financially.
- The new policy is a move towards greater transparency.
- Do you fancy a move to the pub? (i.e., going there)
- It's your move in this negotiation.
American English
- Getting an MBA was her next career move.
- The police are monitoring every move he makes.
- The chess champion made a brilliant opening move.
- The company's latest move surprised investors.
verb
British English
- We need to move house before the school term starts.
- Could you move your car, please? It's blocking the drive.
- The government is not moving quickly enough on this issue.
- I move that the proposal be adopted.
American English
- We're going to move to the suburbs next year.
- She moved the deadline up by two weeks.
- The story really moved me.
- It's your turn to move in the game.
adjective
British English
- This is a moveable feast, the date changes each year.
- We stored everything in moveable crates.
American English
- The furniture is modular and easily movable.
- He has movable assets but little cash.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please move your bag from the chair.
- The baby started to move.
- We don't want to move house.
- Could you move the meeting to 3 pm?
- He moved to Canada for his studies.
- The movie was so sad it moved me to tears.
- The shareholders moved to oust the chairman.
- She's on the move, travelling for work most of the month.
- The market is moving in our favour.
- The amendment was moved by the opposition and carried unanimously.
- His eloquent plea moved the jury profoundly.
- The company is moving to capitalise on emerging trends in AI.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a removal van. The letters 'M-O-V-E' are painted on its side. The van is there to help you MOVE your things to a new house.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY (e.g., 'Let's move on.', 'We need to move forward.'); CHANGE IS MOTION; EMOTIONS ARE PHYSICAL FORCES (e.g., 'The speech moved me to tears.'); TIME IS MOTION (e.g., 'As we move into the next quarter...').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'move' for 'to touch' (это трогает меня). Use 'touch' or 'affect'.
- The Russian verb 'двигаться' is narrower, primarily for physical motion. 'Move' is broader.
- In chess, use 'move' for ход (It's your move), not for moving the piece, which is also 'to move'.
- 'Move house' is a fixed collocation; don't say 'change flat'.
Common Mistakes
- *I will move to a new job. (Use 'change jobs' or 'move to a new role/position'.)
- Confusing 'move' (change location) with 'remove' (take away).
- Incorrect preposition: *move in a new house (correct: move into/to a new house).
Practice
Quiz
In a formal meeting, what does it mean to 'move' a motion?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a regular verb: move - moved - moved.
'Move' means to change position/location. 'Remove' means to take something away or off from its position, often eliminating it from a situation (e.g., remove a stain, remove a person from a list).
Yes. When something 'moves' you, it causes strong feelings, often of sadness or sympathy (e.g., 'The documentary moved me deeply').
It has two main meanings: 1) to leave one place/activity and go to another, and 2) to stop thinking/talking about something and focus on something new, especially after a difficult experience.
Collections
Part of a collection
Daily Verbs
A1 · 50 words · Essential action words used in everyday conversation.