cargo

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cargo" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to goods or merchandise transported, typically by ship, aircraft, or vehicle. Example: "The cargo was loaded onto the ship early in the morning to ensure timely departure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: Iranian navy fires warning shots at cargo ship in international waters in Gulf The talks began shortly after reports earlier on Thursday that Iranian Revolutionary guards had fired warning shots at a Singapore-flagged commercial ship in the Gulf, before vessels from the United Arab Emirates came to its aid.

The Guardian

Serhiy Zgurets, expert of Center of Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies told the Guardian that the new soldiers arrived on cargo planes - which was one of the reasons why the Russian forces captured the military airports in the region.

The Guardian

The animal cargo, worth $113,715, reportedly included: two lappet-faced vultures, two serval cats, two impalas, two black verreaux's eagles, three elands, four giraffes, four ground hornbill, five spring hares, six oryx, seven kori bustard, 10 dik-dik, 20 Grant's gazelle, 68 Thomson's gazelle, and a secretary bird.

The Guardian

At the airport, Kamran and the plane's pilot allegedly directed proceedings, which began when four men decamped from a minivan on the runway to unload the animal cargo.

The Guardian

Alien centred on an intergalactic cargo vessel which touches down on a desolate planet in response to a distress signal.

The Guardian - Film

Bornholm is also where the iconic Christiania cargo bikes are made, and its biggest reinvention has arguably been to turn itself into a cycling paradise.

The Guardian - Travel

Special arrangements were put in place for Nadir's arrival at Luton: as well as having his documentation checked on the plane, he was allowed to leave for central London via a gate normally reserved for the transfer of cargo to and from planes.

The Guardian - Business

Each year I have plucked the papery heads, their cargo of flaked almond-like seeds shaking inside, to further distribute them.

The Guardian

Me doing something "feminine" is a threat because it challenges old ideas of what it means to be a man – ideas that need to be challenged, if not discarded like last season's ugly, outdated cargo shorts.

The Guardian - Opinion

Geddes himself is a barely disguised fanboy – check out his 1991 essay on Chinese "hopping vampires" – though, rather like the festival itself, he has graduated from cargo pants and gothic-cross earring to blazers and shirts.

The Guardian - Film

Elsewhere in Syria, a military cargo aircraft laden with ammunition and food was downed late on Saturday in the country's north.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about transportation, use more specific terms like "freight" or "shipment" instead of "cargo" if the context allows for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "cargo" when referring to passengers; it typically denotes inanimate goods. Use "passengers" or "travelers" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cargo" is as a noun, referring to goods or merchandise transported by various means. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing the contents of ships, planes, and trucks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "cargo" is a common and grammatically correct noun used to describe goods transported by various means. As indicated by Ludwig, it's widely used in news, business, and general contexts. While "cargo" is suitable for most situations, consider using more specific terms like "freight" or "shipment" for greater clarity. Remember that "cargo" refers to inanimate goods, not people. Its frequency is very common and sources like The Guardian and The Economist are authoritative when they use this term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

freight

A direct synonym, often used in the context of commercial transportation.

shipment

Refers to the act of shipping goods or the goods being shipped.

consignment

Goods sent to someone to be sold; emphasizes the business arrangement.

load

General term for the quantity of goods carried by a vehicle or vessel.

goods

A broad term referring to merchandise or possessions being transported.

merchandise

Typically refers to goods that are being bought or sold.

wares

Similar to merchandise, often implying items for sale or trade.

freightage

The action or cost of conveying freight, or the freight itself.

payload

Specifically refers to the carrying capacity, especially in aviation or spaceflight.

burden

Implies a heavy or difficult load, often used metaphorically.

FAQs

How can I use "cargo" in a sentence?

You can use "cargo" to refer to goods transported by ship, plane, or truck. For example, "The ship's "cargo" included electronics and textiles."

What is a good synonym for "cargo"?

A suitable synonym for "cargo" is "freight", which also refers to goods transported for commercial purposes.

Is it correct to use "cargo" to describe people being transported?

No, "cargo" typically refers to inanimate objects or goods. Use "passengers" or "travelers" when referring to people being transported.

What's the difference between "cargo" and "shipment"?

"Cargo" refers to the goods being transported, while "shipment" can refer to both the goods and the act of transporting them.