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Gene93 Posted 11 years ago
Vocabulary

to shift up/down a gear

Hello,
I realize there are other ways of expressing this but, can we say "Shift down a gear at the roundabout."? We can say "go down/go up a gear" or "change up/change down a gear" (esp. BE). Is it correct to change up or change down a gear (go into the next lower/higher gear)?

Thank you
  

Top answer

"change up/down" and "shift up/down" are both OK. "go up/down" also makes sense, but the word choice feels less specifically suited.

— GPY

  • "change up/down" and "shift up/down" are both OK.
  • "go up/down" also makes sense, but the word choice feels less specifically suited.
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5 Answers
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"change up/down" and "shift up/down" are both OK. "go up/down" also makes sense, but the word choice feels less specifically suited.
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Thank you. Change is more frequently used in British English, whereas "shift" is used in AE, is that correct? A native one told me I could say "change up/down", but not "shift up/down". There's just no logic, is there?
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Gene93Change is more frequently used in British English, whereas "shift" is used in AE, is that correct?
Some dictionaries say so. I am a BrE speaker, and "change" and "shift" both sound fine to me. I don't know about the use of "change" in AmE. Perhaps an American forum member could comment.
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Last question. In the UK, is it uncommon to hear someone say "Shift down at the roundabout." or anything similar to that? Going in the next lower or higher gear.

Thank you
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Gene93In the UK, is it uncommon to hear someone say "Shift down at the roundabout." or anything similar to that?
It sounds normal to me.
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