hopped a bus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hopped a bus" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in informal contexts to describe the action of boarding a bus quickly or casually. Example: "After finishing my meeting, I hopped a bus to get to the conference on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Needing to be in New York for a shift as a singing waitress on Thursday morning, she drove to Cleveland, met her friend Julie Greeneisen, 22, and hopped a bus to Manhattan.

The New York Times

A skinny fellow in saggy clothes who spent his childhood in foster care, Rex Britton, 22, hopped a bus from Syracuse two years ago for a job painting parking lots.

The New York Times

By the time he was done it was early afternoon, and Comella then hopped a bus to Manhattan, where he worked as an analyst for a private equity fund, staying until 7 or 8 p.m., sometimes later.

The New York Times - Sports

So upon graduating from Boston College in 1997, she hopped a bus to the Lower East Side and moved into a Catholic Worker House of Hospitalityy" at 55 East Third Street, near First Avenue.

The New York Times

And on one outing, he instead hopped a bus filled with cardinals.

Huffington Post

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Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

He would skip gym at Montclair High in New Jersey and hop a bus to the station's headquarters in New York.

The New York Times

A few months later he arrives in Lebanon from Cyprus, and hops a bus to a bed-and-breakfast in Byblos.

The New York Times

He could continue unloading goods at a market, shine hubcaps on parked cars or just hop a bus out of town.

The New York Times

She hops a bus to New Gotham and by the end of the episode is living in the Clocktower, a superheroine in training.

The New York Times - Arts

From David I'd hop a bus or taxi to Boquete, then hike, with my belongings, around the volcano to the even smaller town of Guadalupe.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hopped a bus" to convey a sense of informality, quickness, or spontaneity in boarding a bus. It's suitable for narrative contexts where you want to add a touch of casualness to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "hopped a bus" in formal writing, such as academic papers or business reports. Opt for more neutral phrases like "took the bus" or "boarded the bus" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hopped a bus" functions as a verb phrase describing a mode of transportation taken in a quick or casual manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and readily understandable. The examples show the phrase being used to express someone's choice of transport.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hopped a bus" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to describe the act of quickly or casually boarding a bus. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is most commonly found in informal contexts, particularly within news and media. While not as common as alternatives like "took the bus", it adds a touch of casualness and immediacy to the description. When writing, avoid overusing "hopped a bus" in formal contexts and consider more neutral alternatives to maintain a professional tone. The phrase serves to narrate an action, often conveying a sense of spontaneity in choosing bus transport.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jumped on the bus

Similar to "hopped", but can imply more urgency or a quick, athletic movement.

got on the bus

Simple and direct way to express entering a bus.

took the bus

More general way to say someone used the bus as transportation; lacks the sense of spontaneity.

caught the bus

Emphasizes the act of successfully getting on the bus, often implying a hurried action.

boarded the bus

More formal and neutral way of saying someone got on the bus.

rode the bus

Focuses on the action of traveling by bus, rather than the act of getting on.

used the bus

Very general; indicates that the bus was the chosen mode of transportation.

took public transit

Broader term encompassing various forms of public transportation, not specific to buses.

flagged down a bus

Indicates the action of signaling for a bus to stop.

availed of bus service

Very formal and less common way to express using a bus.

FAQs

What does "hopped a bus" mean?

The phrase "hopped a bus" means to quickly or casually board a bus. It implies a light or springy movement when getting on the bus.

What can I say instead of "hopped a bus"?

You can use alternatives like "took the bus", "caught the bus", or "boarded the bus" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "hopped on a bus"?

Yes, "hopped on a bus" is also correct and commonly used. It's very similar in meaning to "hopped a bus" and implies a quick or casual boarding.

Is "hopped a bus" formal or informal?

The phrase "hopped a bus" is considered informal. In more formal contexts, it's better to use phrases like "took the bus" or "boarded the bus".