interstate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "interstate" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that can be used to describe a route for long-distance travel, such as a highway or freeway. For example: We drove along the interstate for many hours on our way to the beach.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There must have been seven different events, and we drove up and down the interstate in these air-conditioned vans with chauffeur drivers.

The Guardian

It is an extremely rare application, an interstate case before the European court.

The Guardian

A defeat would have left the Bombers vulnerable to finishing eighth and possibly having to play interstate in the first week of the finals.

The Guardian - Sport

Ice up to 4in thick was reported on one interstate in Texas at the height of the storm there.

The Guardian

The Obama administration is defending Congress's right to require health insurance under a clause in the constitution that gives the federal government the right to regulate interstate commerce.

The Guardian

The source said some senior police had expressed relief at the demise of the term "CMG", saying that they felt its use in interstate communications made the force a "laughing stock among other jurisdictions".

The Guardian

First, this – the test, as this Court has articulated it, is: Is Congress regulating economic activity with a substantial effect on interstate commerce?

The Guardian

The wilderness area of Tasmania is vast, beautiful and, at first glance, a significant time commitment for interstate visitors.

The Guardian - Travel

The Western Bulldogs don't have the financial backing and pool of talent the new sides received through AFL concessions, nor do they have the supporter base that brings riches to bigger Melbourne and interstate clubs.

The Guardian - Sport

My second answer is that upholding the mandate would not threaten United States v Lopez, the 1995 case that struck down the Gun Free School Zones Act as exceeding the federal government's power to regulate interstate commerce.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is set to pass the territory assembly, giving gay and lesbian couples from the ACT and interstate the right to marry in Canberra by the end of the year.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about transportation infrastructure, use "interstate" to specifically refer to the system of highways that connect states. For broader references to roads, consider using "highway" or "roadway".

Common error

Avoid using "interstate" when you mean "international". "Interstate" refers to connections between states within a country, while "international" refers to connections between different countries.

Linguistic Context

The word "interstate" functions as both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, it describes something that exists or occurs between states. As a noun, it commonly refers to a freeway that is part of the Interstate Highway System. Ludwig AI confirms this with its definition and examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "interstate" is a versatile word, functioning as both an adjective and a noun, most commonly referring to highways connecting states or activities occurring between them. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Usage spans diverse contexts, including news, business, and legal domains, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples. While generally neutral, formality may increase in legal or governmental discussions. When writing, remember that "interstate" pertains to connections within a country, not between countries (international). Use "interstate" accurately, whether discussing highways or the flow of commerce between states.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

between states

Focuses on the relationship or interaction involving multiple states, rather than a specific system or highway.

cross-state

Emphasizes the action of crossing state lines, often used to describe travel or commerce.

state-to-state

Highlights the direct connection between individual states, suitable for describing comparisons or transfers.

transnational

Broader term encompassing activities or entities that operate across national boundaries, not just state lines.

federal highway system

Refers specifically to the network of highways funded and managed by the federal government.

national highway network

Encompasses all major highways within a country, not exclusively those crossing state lines.

between provinces

Mirrors "interstate" but applies to provinces within a country, rather than states.

province-to-province

Highlights direct relations between provinces, similar to state-to-state.

national road system

Refers to the overall road network of a country, irrespective of administrative divisions.

highway system

A general term for a network of connected roads and highways.

FAQs

How to use "interstate" in a sentence?

You can use "interstate" to describe highways that cross state lines, for example: "The truck driver drove interstate to unload." It can also refer to activities or relationships between states, such as "interstate commerce".

What is the difference between "interstate" and "international"?

"Interstate" refers to something existing or occurring between states within a country, whereas "international" refers to something existing or occurring between different countries.

What are some examples of "interstate" activities?

Examples of "interstate" activities include "interstate commerce", "interstate migration", and "interstate banking".

Is "interstate" always capitalized?

When referring to the Interstate Highway System in the United States, "Interstate" is capitalized. When used as a general adjective meaning between states, it is not capitalized. For example: "interstate travel".