on the road

USAGE SUMMARY

'on the road' is a perfectly valid phrase that can be used in written English.
Example sentence: We stopped to get some food at a roadside diner on the road.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Win on the road?

The New York Times - Sports

Success on the road.

The New York Times

Still on the road.

The New York Times - Arts

On the road.

Independent

Five months on the road.

The Guardian - Travel

They were on the road.

The New Yorker

See you on the road.

The New York Times - Travel

But stay on the road.

The Economist

"I'm on the road, permanently".

The New York Times

We're back on the road.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Obviously, on-the-road results vary.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing driving use "on the road" but when describing location, use "on the street".

Common error

Avoid using "on the road" literally when a more precise location descriptor is needed. For example, instead of "The accident happened on the road", specify which road or intersection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the road" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate a state of travel or movement. As shown in Ludwig, it describes the condition of being in transit or away from a permanent residence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on the road" is a common and versatile expression primarily used as an adverbial phrase to denote a state of travel or movement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media and also in Wiki articles. It has a neutral register and serves to inform, describe, or express circumstances related to journeys or progress. Be aware that "on the road" should be used when you are talking about travelling. If you are describing something about a path, use instead "on the street".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hit the road

An idiomatic expression synonymous with 'begin traveling', usually by car.

traveling

This alternative is a single word that captures the essence of being engaged in travel.

touring

Similar to traveling, but often implies a structured or planned journey with multiple stops.

en route

This phrase means 'on the way', indicating movement towards a destination.

in transit

Focuses on the state of being transported or in the process of moving.

journeying

Implies a more extended or significant travel experience.

out on a trip

More explicit, specifying that someone is currently experiencing a journey.

away on assignment

Suggests travel for work-related purposes, rather than leisure.

constantly moving

Highlights the continuous motion and lack of a fixed location.

in motion

Similar to 'in transit', it emphasizes the act of moving rather than the destination.

FAQs

How can I use "on the road" in a sentence?

You can use "on the road" to describe someone traveling, as in "The band is "touring" and constantly on the road", or to describe progress, such as "The project is "making progress" and is on the road to success".

What does it mean to be "on the road"?

Being "on the road" generally means that someone is traveling, often for extended periods. It can also refer figuratively to being "making progress" towards a goal.

What are some alternatives to saying "on the road"?

Some alternatives include "traveling", ""touring"", "en route", or "in transit", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "hit the road"?

The phrase "hit the road" is an idiomatic expression meaning to begin a journey, typically by car. It's appropriate in informal contexts when you want to convey the idea of starting a trip or leaving a place.