ferry people

USAGE SUMMARY

"ferry people" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of transporting people by boat or ferry across a body of water. Example: The company operates a ferry service that can ferry people from the mainland to the island in just 30 minutes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Transportation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Once you get off the ferry, people walk slower".

The New York Times - Travel

(The MDC wants to buy a small passenger van to ferry people in and out).

The Economist

He was helping the Red Cross ferry people to safety; at least 15 people were crammed into his truck.

The Guardian

On site, an impressive fleet of electric golf buggies and cars run on bio-ethanol or hydrogen ferry people around.

The Guardian - Travel

It was a standard game boat used to ferry people 40km offshore, through two hours of ocean swell.

The Guardian

The state of Georgia operates a line of commuter coaches, Xpress, that ferry people from 12 counties into Atlanta on weekdays.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Huge flatbed police trucks ferried people through the knee-deep water to their flooded homes.

The New Yorker

The police had a tough time handling trucks, buses and all sorts of vehicles ferrying people around Pavagadh.

The New York Times

Traffic was sometimes heavy, not with cars but with tricycle taxis ferrying people about town.

The New York Times - Travel

A van service, run by Delaware Opportunities, ferries people back and forth from job interviews and work assignments.

The New York Times

Others argue that rickshaws fulfil an essential function in ferrying people short distances to metro stations or bus stops.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ferry people", consider the context. It's most appropriate when referring to transportation across water or a short distance. For longer distances or different modes, consider alternatives like "transport passengers" or "convey individuals".

Common error

Avoid using "ferry people" when describing transportation by land or air over long distances. This can sound awkward. Instead, opt for "transport passengers" or "shuttle people" for broader applications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ferry people" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of transporting people, often across water, but also applicable to short distances via other modes of transport. Ludwig provides many examples of it being used to describe various types of transportation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Travel

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ferry people" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of transporting individuals, especially across water or short distances. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. While it is generally neutral in tone and appropriate for diverse contexts, it's best to avoid using it for long-distance land or air travel. Alternative phrases like "transport passengers" or "shuttle people" may be more suitable in those cases. As shown by examples from Ludwig, this expression appears most frequently in News & Media, Travel, and encyclopedic contexts, showcasing its broad applicability in various forms of writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transport passengers

Emphasizes the role of the carrier and the individuals being transported.

shuttle individuals

Implies a regular, back-and-forth movement over a relatively short distance.

convey persons

A more formal and general way of saying to carry people.

carry passengers

Focuses on the physical act of carrying individuals from one place to another.

shuttle passengers

Implies a routine transport of individuals using a dedicated service.

boat people

Refers to the act of transporting people specifically by boat or ship, especially across water.

provide transportation for people

Highlights the act of providing transport as a service.

move people

A simple and direct way of expressing the act of transporting a group of people.

take people by boat

Specifies the mode of transportation as a boat.

ship passengers

Highlights the transportation of people using ships or large vessels.

FAQs

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

You can use "ferry people" to describe the act of transporting individuals across water or short distances. For example, "The boat will ferry people to the island" or "Shuttle buses ferry people from the train station to the stadium".

What's a good alternative to "ferry people"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "transport passengers", "shuttle people", or "convey persons". The best choice depends on the specific situation.

Is "ferry people" formal or informal?

"Ferry people" is generally considered a neutral term suitable for most contexts. However, in more formal writing, "transport passengers" or "convey persons" might be preferred.

What kind of transportation is implied when using "ferry people"?

"Ferry people" generally implies transportation by boat or similar watercraft across a body of water. While it can sometimes be used for short-distance transport on land, it's most commonly associated with water travel.