commuter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commuter" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a person who travels regularly to and from work or school, often from a suburb to a city. Example: "As a daily commuter, I spend over an hour each morning traveling to the office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One commuter, Anna Roberts, who works in Victoria, south-west London, was stuck on a Brighton to London train well after 11am.

The Guardian

You see it in the physical infrastructure: all those new flyovers sprouting up around the city to enable the chauffeur driven classes to get about more easily, even while the commuter trains are still bursting; the crowded, chaotic public hospitals that get by while gleaming new private hospitals open up.

The Guardian

Carswell, whose father, Wilson, was one of the first doctors to identify HIV/Aids in Uganda in the 1980s, also made it clear that he was not at ease with the declaration by Farage that he felt uncomfortable when he could not hear English being spoken on a commuter train.

The Guardian

"For a time the freesheets, as they call them in the UK, became very successful at capturing a commuter market," McNair says.

The Guardian

Rush-hour passengers on a trouble-hit commuter route in the south of England have faced more disruption, with delays and cancellations because of a broken rail.

The Guardian

The announcement by UK Oil and Gas Investments (UKOG), a small independent explorer, is certainly dramatic: the discovery of a vast supply of oil 3,000ft below the commuter belt landscape.

The Guardian - Business

Lumley said the new bridge would provide more than just a river crossing for the weary commuter.

The Guardian

Soames, an MP for Mid Sussex, the heart of the commuter belt, said he was horrified by the travesty of the railway industry's performance over Christmas, adding he was sure the transport secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, felt a similar sense of outrage.

The Guardian

But over the past two years, prices in Chelmsford, a commuter town a 40-minute train ride from London, have risen significantly.

The Guardian - Money

Last week News Corp announced that mX, its free commuter paper in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, would cease publication on 12 June, resulting in the loss of 30 journalists' jobs.

The Guardian

"The market for commuter journalism is still there but they now have their own phone and their own iPad so why then bother with a piece of paper?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "commuter" as an adjective, ensure the noun clearly indicates the mode of transport or the service used (e.g. commuter train, commuter lane).

Common error

Avoid using "commuter" to describe occasional travelers or tourists. The term specifically refers to individuals who travel regularly between home and work or school.

Linguistic Context

The word "commuter" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a person who travels regularly from one place to another, typically to work or school. It can also function as an adjective, describing something used by or designed for commuters. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it is often associated with transportation systems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "commuter" is a common term referring to individuals who regularly travel between home and work or school. Functioning as both a noun and an adjective, its usage spans various contexts, with a primary presence in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. While "commuter" is generally deemed correct as described by Ludwig AI, it's crucial to understand its specific application to regular travelers and avoid misusing it for occasional travelers or tourists. Alternative phrases like "daily traveler" or "regular passenger" can be used to express similar meanings. Considering the usage examples available on Ludwig, adhering to best practices ensures clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

daily traveler

Focuses on the act of traveling each day, rather than the purpose.

regular passenger

Emphasizes the use of public transport on a frequent basis.

frequent rider

Highlights the use of public transport on a regular basis.

season ticket holder

Highlights possession of a travel pass for frequent journeys.

daily user

Focuses on the habitual use of a service or facility.

suburban resident

Emphasizes the residential location often associated with commuting.

out-of-town worker

Highlights the worker lives outside the city.

traveling professional

Highlights the occupational status of an individual.

urban worker

Highlights a worker in the urban environment.

nearby resident

Highlights proximity to work.

FAQs

How is the word "commuter" typically used in a sentence?

The word "commuter" is usually used to describe a person who travels a significant distance to work or school. For example, "The train was packed with "commuters" during rush hour."

What are some synonyms for "commuter"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "traveler", "passenger", or "daily traveler" instead of "commuter".

What does it mean when an area is referred to as a "commuter belt"?

A "commuter belt" refers to a region surrounding a city where many people live and travel into the city for work. It's characterized by a high proportion of residents who are "commuters".

Is it appropriate to use "commuter" to describe someone traveling for leisure?

No, "commuter" is generally not used for leisure travelers. It specifically implies a regular journey, typically between home and work or school. Use "traveler" or "tourist" instead.