commute between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commute between" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to making a frequent and regular journey between two places, usually for work or study. For example, "He commutes between his home in the suburbs and his office downtown every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The couple will commute between Massachusetts and New York.

The New York Times

He will commute between there and New York.

The New York Times - Food

Through it all, Hertmans muses on the commute between the present and the past.

The Guardian - Books

Her own writing doesn't commute between the creative and critical worlds; it inhabits them simultaneously.

The New York Times - Books

Yes, there is a role for efficient provincial railways, especially as more people commute between cities.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said he would commute between Detroit and Colorado Springs through the end of June.

The New York Times

He plans to finish his term and commute between Richmond and Washington, party officials said.

The New York Times

Church in Jamaica, Queens, and commute between New York and Wilberforce, Ohio, where the 700-student university is based.

The New York Times

In this sense, we as a people remain enmeshed in that perpetual commute between Squaresville and Blastoff Canyon.

The New York Times

On his long commute between the two jobs, he saved money by reading newspapers extracted from the subway dustbins.

The Economist

The roughly 10-mile commute between cities now takes three taxis and sometimes two hours or more.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "commute between", ensure the two locations are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "commute between home and office".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "commute between" can sound informal in highly formal writing. In such cases, consider alternatives like "travel regularly between" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commute between" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of regularly traveling between two locations. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides numerous examples of its use in sentences describing travel habits.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "commute between" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe regular travel between two locations, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's prevalent in news articles, scientific publications, and general writing. While neutrally registered, the most common error associated with it is overuse in formal contexts. For alternatives, consider "travel between" or "shuttle between", but be aware of the subtle differences in meaning. Overall, "commute between" is appropriate for describing routine journeys, and its usage is well-supported by Ludwig examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Shuttle between

This alternative implies frequent and rapid movement back and forth.

Travel between

This alternative broadens the scope beyond regular journeys to encompass any form of travel.

Go back and forth between

This alternative is more explicit and less formal, expressing movement in both directions.

Journey between

This alternative emphasizes the act of traveling and the experience of moving from one place to another.

Move between

This alternative focuses on the physical act of changing location from one place to another.

Navigate between

This alternative highlights the process of finding one's way between two locations.

Transit between

This alternative focuses on passing through the space between two points.

Operate between

This alternative suggests functional activity occurring in multiple locations.

Pass between

This alternative emphasizes the act of going from one location to another, often quickly.

Alternate between

This emphasizes a cyclical pattern of moving between the two locations.

FAQs

How do I use "commute between" in a sentence?

Use "commute between" to describe regular travel between two points. For instance, "She "commutes between" her apartment and the university daily".

What can I say instead of "commute between"?

You can use alternatives like "travel between", "shuttle between", or "go back and forth between" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "commuting between" instead of "commute between"?

"Commuting between" is the present participle form, used in continuous tenses (e.g., "She is commuting between cities"). "Commute between" is the base form, used for habitual actions (e.g., "They commute between states").

What's the difference between "commute between" and "travel between"?

"Commute between" implies a regular and often work-related journey, while "travel between" is a broader term encompassing any form of travel, whether regular or occasional.