a ferry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a ferry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a type of boat or vessel that transports people, vehicles, or goods across a body of water. Example: "We took a ferry across the river to reach the other side."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

John's and drive across the island, or take a ferry?

The New York Times - Travel

Could they take a ferry?

The New York Times

Someone suggested taking a ferry to Ponza.

The New York Times

A ferry of Dutch origin, perhaps?

The New York Times

But Mykonos is also a ferry hub.

The New York Times - Travel

There's a ferry".

The Guardian - Travel

"It's about a ferry.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A ferry took people there, too.

The New York Times

Martin and catch a ferry.

The New York Times

Catch a ferry from Athens.

The Guardian - Travel

A Ferry to Sicily Q.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing travel plans involving water, specify the type of ferry (e.g., car ferry, passenger ferry) if relevant to your audience. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "ferry" without sufficient context. For instance, specify the origin and destination when describing ferry routes to ensure clear understanding. Instead of saying "take "a ferry"", say "take "a ferry" from Athens to Mykonos".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a ferry" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific type of vessel used for transporting people or goods across water. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a common phrase used to describe this mode of transportation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

13%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Huffington Post

7%

The New Yorker

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a ferry" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to refer to a vessel that transports people or goods across water. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted. It appears most frequently in news and media and encyclopedia contexts, indicating a neutral formality. When using "a ferry", it's best practice to provide context regarding the route or type of ferry, while avoiding overuse without specific details. Related phrases include "ferry service" and "ferry crossing", offering alternative ways to describe the concept. Top authoritative sources include The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ferry service

Focuses on the service provided by a ferry, rather than the vessel itself.

ferry boat

Specifies the type of boat used as a ferry. Slightly more descriptive.

passenger ferry

Emphasizes that the ferry is primarily for transporting people.

car ferry

Highlights the ferry's capability to transport vehicles.

the ferry

A more specific reference to a particular ferry in a given context.

ferry crossing

Emphasizes the act of crossing a body of water via ferry.

shuttle ferry

Describes a ferry that provides a regular, short-distance transport service.

a water shuttle

Uses "shuttle" to describe similar transport.

a boat service

More general term referring to water transport services.

a scheduled sailing

Refers to a planned trip by boat, often a ferry.

FAQs

How do you use "a ferry" in a sentence?

You can use "a ferry" to describe taking a trip across water, such as "We took "a ferry" to the island" or "Is there "a ferry" that goes directly to the city center?".

What's the difference between "a ferry" and "a boat"?

"A ferry" is a specific type of boat designed to regularly transport passengers and vehicles across a body of water, often on a fixed schedule and route. "A boat" is a more general term that encompasses various types of watercraft, not necessarily used for regular transportation like "a ferry".

What can I say instead of "taking "a ferry""?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "ferry service", "ferry crossing", or "boat service" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it necessary to specify "a ferry boat" or is "a ferry" sufficient?

While "ferry boat" is technically correct, ""a ferry"" is usually sufficient because the context implies it is a boat. Specifying "ferry boat" may be useful when you want to emphasize the vessel itself.