a ferry boat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a ferry boat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a boat specifically designed to carry passengers, vehicles, or goods across a body of water. Example: "We took a ferry boat across the bay to reach the island for our vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Cargo ships and a ferry boat glide across a glassy river; cows lap at the banks.

The New York Times - Arts

Describes how the captain, who was a businessman, became a ferry boat operator.

The New Yorker

To get to Mackinac Island, people take a ferry boat in summer, a snowmobile in winter, or an airplane.

The New York Times

June 14 , 2010 In Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh, 62 people were killed when a ferry boat carrying around 80 people capsized in the Ganges.

The New York Times

October 11, 2010: Near the capital of Bihar, Patna, 36 people drowned to death and more than 15 went missing when a ferry boat capsized in the Ganges.

The New York Times

A train ride, a ferry boat and a two-day hike later, she found herself standing in front of that tree.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

"The sky became bright all of a sudden," said Klaus Barinka, 42, a ferry-boat captain on the lake.

The New York Times

Now they are negotiating with a ferry-boat owner on the East End to build two bus-style Pontiphians to shuttle passengers between the North and South Forks.

The New York Times

The subject matter of the essays, features and columns collected here ranges from the description of a ferry-boat disaster in India to a lament for the demise of the British cherry.

The Guardian - Books

More politically engaged clerks can find Sotomayor's ideological reticence frustrating — in Cassidy v. Chertoff (2006), for example, rather than challenging the expanding powers of the national-security state, she ruled that the operators of a ferry-boat company on Lake Champlain could search passengers at random in the name of preventing terrorism.

The New Yorker

Palm Island's pier is in Challenger Bay, a ferry-boat service operated by Sunferries makes a return trip from Townsville four times a week.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the purpose of "a ferry boat", be specific about what it transports (e.g., passengers, vehicles, goods) to provide a clearer picture.

Common error

Avoid using overly descriptive adjectives with "a ferry boat" if the context already implies its function. For example, instead of "a large passenger ferry boat", use "a large ferry" or "a passenger ferry".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a ferry boat" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It serves to identify a specific type of watercraft used for transporting passengers or vehicles across a body of water. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a ferry boat" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a vessel that transports passengers, vehicles, or goods across water. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as in encyclopedias and wiki entries. While technically the term "ferry" implies a boat, the phrase "a ferry boat" is widely understood and accepted. When using this phrase, it is best to be specific about what the ferry transports to provide clarity, and avoid redundant descriptions. Alternative phrases include "a ferry", "a passenger ferry", or "a car ferry".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a passenger ferry

Focuses on the primary function of carrying passengers.

a car ferry

Specifies that the ferry is designed to carry cars.

a vehicular ferry

More formal term for a ferry that carries vehicles.

a shuttle ferry

Highlights the function of shuttling between two points.

a harbor ferry

Indicates that the ferry operates within a harbor.

a river ferry

Specifies that the ferry operates on a river.

a cross-channel ferry

Used for ferries crossing a channel.

a transport ferry

Emphasizes the transportation aspect.

a commuter ferry

Highlights use by commuters.

a water taxi

A smaller, often faster, ferry service.

FAQs

How can I use "a ferry boat" in a sentence?

You can use "a ferry boat" to describe a vessel that transports people or vehicles across water. For example, "We took "a ferry boat" to the island".

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a ferry boat"?

Alternatives include "a ferry", "a passenger ferry", or "a car ferry", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "a ferry boat" since a ferry is already a type of boat?

While technically "ferry" implies a boat, "a ferry boat" is a common and widely accepted usage. It's similar to phrases like "ATM machine" where the redundancy is generally understood and doesn't detract from clarity.

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

"A ferry boat" typically refers to a larger vessel on a fixed route, while "a water taxi" is usually smaller, more flexible, and operates on demand like a regular taxi.