go by car

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "go by car" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the method of transportation you will take in order to get somewhere. For example, "I'm running late, so I'm going to have to go by car instead of train."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"Then why not go by car?

The Guardian - Travel

"It's not surprising that people prefer to go by car".

The New York Times

We decided to go by car and driver.

The New York Times

Almost none of them, though, go by car.

The New York Times - Magazine

In North America, you will probably go by car.

The New York Times - Travel

To get around the county, you have to go by car.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

"I've seen everything go by: cars, people's decks, coolers, people's belongings," said her son, Doug Lawrence, 45, who had removed five wagonloads of garbage from the fields.

The New York Times

Are they all going by car?

The Guardian - Opinion

The next night I went by car to a party.

The Guardian - Opinion

You suggest going by car from Trondheim to Brønnøysund.

The Guardian - Travel

On Terry and I went by car to the coast.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering travel options, use "go by car" to clearly specify vehicular transportation versus other modes like train, bus or plane. For example: "We can go by car, train, or bus depending on your preference."

Common error

Avoid using "go in car" or "go with car". The correct preposition is "by" to indicate the means of transportation. For example, say "I'll go by car", not "I'll go in car".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go by car" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating the means of transportation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it specifies that a car is the method used for travel. Many examples show its use in providing options or contrasting with other modes of transport.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "go by car" is a grammatically sound and commonly used way to indicate that a car is the chosen mode of transportation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most frequently found in news and media sources and holds a neutral register, suitable for various contexts. When using this phrase, remember to avoid common errors like "go in car" and consider more descriptive alternatives like "drive" or "travel by automobile" depending on your desired tone and level of detail.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drive

Uses a single verb to convey the same meaning, implying car travel.

take a car

Emphasizes the action of using a car for transportation.

travel via car

Replaces "by" with "via", offering a slightly different prepositional choice.

travel by automobile

Replaces "go" with "travel" and "car" with "automobile", offering a more formal tone.

use a car for transport

More explicit about the purpose of using a car.

make the journey by car

Highlights the journey aspect of traveling by car.

opt to drive

Focuses on the decision to travel by car.

choose to travel by car

A more descriptive version of "opt to drive".

commute by car

Specifically refers to traveling regularly between home and work by car.

motor

An informal way to say travelling by car.

FAQs

How do I use "go by car" in a sentence?

Use "go by car" to indicate that a car is the chosen method of transportation. For example: "If you're running late, it's faster to "go by car" than to take the bus."

What are some alternatives to "go by car"?

Alternatives include "drive", "travel by automobile", or "take a car" depending on the desired level of formality and context.

Is it correct to say "go in car" instead of "go by car"?

No, "go in car" is grammatically incorrect. The correct preposition to use when specifying a mode of transportation is "by". Therefore, the correct phrase is ""go by car"".

What's the difference between "go by car" and "driving"?

"Driving" implies that you are the one operating the vehicle. "Go by car" simply means that a car is the mode of transportation, regardless of who is driving. For example, you can "go by car" even if you are a passenger.