intersection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intersection" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a point where two or more things meet or cross, often in the context of roads, ideas, or concepts. Example: "The intersection of technology and education has led to innovative teaching methods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The 23-second film shows Zambrano-Montes chased across the street by three officers, after he had reportedly been throwing rocks at traffic on a busy intersection.

The Guardian

Trying to raise the money, he joined hundreds of African migrants looking for work each morning at a highway intersection, where he was arrested and taken to the detention centre at the zoo.

The Guardian

The only sane thing about this intersection is that there's a Co-operative funeral home on the corner.

The Guardian

"Platoons would need to transmit their status to the intersection and the signal change would need to be advanced or delayed to treat the platoon as a single long vehicle," said Alan Stevens, chief scientist and research director at transport firm TRL.

The Guardian - Tech

Once computers are in full control of our cars, do we even need traffic lights at intersections? That's the idea behind AIM – autonomous intersection management – at the artificial intelligence laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin.

The Guardian - Tech

Twenty-five mintoes inthethe first of a week of city-wide lockdowns, officers in full body armour advanced on a crowd that had gathered throughout the day in the sunshine at an intersection in west Baltimore.

The Guardian

Related: Pasco police shooting: victim's American dream ends in violent reality Crump told the Guardian he believed that the shooting represented an "intersection between what happened to Michael Brown in Ferguson [who was shot dead by police officer Darren Wilson] and Eric Garner in Staten Island [who was killed after being placed in a banned chokehold by police]".

The Guardian

The police department sent a tweet that the reports were "NOT true", though added that a man with a handgun had been arrested at the intersection of North and Pennsylvania avenues, where crowds quickly gathered following the reports.

The Guardian

The intersection had the location of much of the looting that occurred on Monday and where on Wedneday protesters were dispersed with teargas.

The Guardian

And they should be worried, because justice vanishes too often with cases that force police departments and even the most progressive communities to consider victims who lived at the intersection of multiple sexual and gender identities – the complex people who are at a much higher risk of facing hate-motivated violence, or even perpetrating it.

The Guardian - Opinion

The controversial poster – advertising an Almaty gay club at the intersection of Kurmangazy and Pushkin streets, was inspired by a famous image of the leaders of East Germany and the Soviet Union kissing in 1979.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "intersection" in abstract contexts, ensure that the elements being intersected are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "intersection" vaguely; always specify what is intersecting to maintain clarity. For instance, instead of saying "the intersection is important", clarify it as "the intersection of technology and education is important".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "intersection" is as a noun. It refers to a point or area where two or more things meet or overlap. Ludwig provides examples of its use in both concrete (road intersections) and abstract (the intersection of ideas) contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

31%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "intersection" is a grammatically sound and versatile noun frequently employed to denote the point or area where multiple entities converge or overlap, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its applicability spans various contexts, from physical locations to abstract concepts. While appropriate for formal and informal settings, clarity is paramount, especially when used in abstract contexts. Its frequent appearance in reputable sources like The Guardian and The Economist underscores its wide acceptance and utility in both professional and academic discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overlap

Directly indicates the extent to which things coincide.

point of convergence

Emphasizes the meeting point of different paths or ideas.

overlapping area

Highlights the shared space between two or more things.

meeting point

A general term for where things come together.

common ground

Focuses on shared beliefs, interests, or goals.

shared space

Indicates a region or area that is jointly occupied or utilized.

point of contact

Stresses the place where different elements interact.

nexus

Emphasizes a central link or connection point.

juncture

Highlights a critical point in time or a convergence of events.

crossroads

Suggests a decision point or a place where different paths diverge.

FAQs

How can I use "intersection" in a sentence?

You can use "intersection" to describe where things meet, like "The accident occurred at the intersection of Main Street and Oak Avenue" or in a more abstract sense, like "The project lies at the intersection of art and technology".

What's the difference between "intersection" and "crossroads"?

"Intersection" refers to a point where lines or surfaces meet. "Crossroads" often implies a critical decision point or a place where different paths diverge, although it can also refer to a physical intersection of roads.

What are some synonyms for "intersection" in an abstract sense?

In an abstract sense, synonyms for "intersection" include "convergence", "overlap", "meeting point", or "nexus", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "intersection" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "intersection" is appropriate for formal writing and is commonly used in academic, business, and technical contexts.