pavement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pavement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a hard surface for vehicles and pedestrians, typically made of concrete or asphalt. Example: "The children played on the pavement outside their house, drawing with chalk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Outside on the pavement, they had plentiful supplies of broccoli, potatoes and other vegetables and a supermarket trolley piled high with rucksacks, a couple of guitars and a dog named Zeus.

The Guardian

"When I'm out on a bike and I see someone doing something stupid I will absolutely have a word with them at the next set of lights," he said, adding: "There was a guy who was riding like an idiot, jumping lights, cutting up the pavement, and I just said: 'You're not helping matters here.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The atmosphere of the whole place is pleasantly informal and conducive to rest and relaxation; but there's a busy pedestrianised shopping street just five minutes' walk away, where you can buy excellent local produce very cheaply, and cafés, where you can sit and watch authentic Italian pavement life.

The Guardian - Travel

The tense atmosphere was broken by passersby who gave protesters fruit and cakes, and a friendly police officer who corrected a spelling mistake in chalking on the pavement: "Trying to help homeless evicted on Christmas Eve".

The Guardian

Walking home after seeing the Blair Witch Project at the local lido multiplex, a thing ran across the pavement in front of me and maybe it was a massive cat or maybe it was a deathly monster.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Up and down the main street of Lampedusa's town centre, a pleasant promenade dotted with pavement cafes and tourist shops, the stories of those deaths – and people who survived – are everywhere.

The Guardian

Or, should I say, one was standing outside it and the other was rolling around on the pavement like a fat barrel, laughing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He sells fruit on the pavement in Dadar, one of the most expensive areas of the city for hawkers.

The Guardian

"I've literally had to scrape people up off the pavement and carry them to the hossy doors".

The Guardian

Wells, 20, described the moment her attacker pounced on her in a darkened street, clasping his hand around her mouth and smashed her head against the pavement as she screamed for help.

The Guardian

As well as being one of the world's most densely populated areas, Mumbai has very little public space: there are virtually no open parks and no riverside, pavements are often full of market stalls, parked cars and potholes (if there is a pavement at all) and scary traffic means running at the side of the road really isn't a sensible option.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing pedestrian routes, use "pavement" to specify a paved path alongside a road, especially in British English. For general paved surfaces, consider "paving".

Common error

Avoid using "pavement" when referring to the entire road; "pavement" is specifically the pedestrian walkway. Use "roadway" or "road surface" for the vehicle area.

Linguistic Context

The word "pavement" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a paved surface, especially a footpath or sidewalk. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct, and the examples show its use in describing physical locations and urban environments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "pavement" is a grammatically correct noun frequently used to describe a paved walkway, especially alongside a road. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is widespread and understood across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, "pavement" serves to depict urban scenes, infrastructure discussions, and incident reporting. While often interchangeable with "sidewalk", "pavement" carries a stronger association with British English. When writing, remember that "pavement" refers specifically to the pedestrian walkway and not the entire road surface. For alternative expressions, consider "sidewalk", "footpath" or "footway", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Sidewalk

A common synonym, referring specifically to a paved path for pedestrians alongside a road.

Footpath

Similar to sidewalk, but can also refer to paths in parks or gardens.

Footway

Another synonym for a path for pedestrians.

Paving

Refers to the material or the act of creating a paved surface.

Road surface

Focuses on the paved part of a road intended for vehicles.

Roadway

A broader term that includes the entire road, not just the paved surface.

Paved area

General term for any surface covered with paving material.

Tiled floor

Specifically refers to interior floors covered with tiles.

Stone flooring

Specifically refers to floors made of stone, especially in large buildings.

Concrete surface

Highlights the material used for the pavement.

FAQs

What is the difference between "pavement" and "sidewalk"?

"Pavement" and "sidewalk" are often used interchangeably, but "pavement" is more common in British English, while "sidewalk" is preferred in American English.

Can "pavement" refer to an interior floor?

Yes, "pavement" can refer to any paved floor, including interior ones, especially stone flooring in large buildings, though this usage is less common than referring to outdoor walkways.

What are some alternatives to using "pavement"?

Depending on the context, you can use "sidewalk", "footpath", "footway", or "paving" as alternatives to "pavement".

Is it correct to cycle on the "pavement"?

Cycling on the "pavement" (sidewalk) is often illegal and unsafe, as it is intended for pedestrians. Check local regulations regarding cycling on "sidewalks".