road

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "road" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, typically referring to a pathway or route for vehicles or pedestrians. Example: "The road ahead was blocked due to construction, forcing us to take a detour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a whole new road for me, something I can get my teeth into but I just felt it was something I had to do.

The Guardian - Sport

Jeff Carter scored in the opening minute of the second and third periods for the Kings, who became the first road team to win in the series.

The New York Times - Sports

The perils of crashing are obvious, but being trapped behind a crash when the road is blocked with bodies and bikes is equally perturbing.

The Guardian - Sport

The term "nervous" is on every rider and manager's lips when asked to describe the demands of the early phase of the race, but what they mean is more complex than a few shivers of anticipation at the prospect of a tricky bit of road or two.

The Guardian - Sport

"Do not dismiss those ideas no matter how hard you think they are, because most of you do not have to walk that hard road with us".

The Guardian

Mr David Wilkie, aged 35, was killed when a concrete block and a four foot long concrete post were dropped on his car from a bridge 20 feet above the A465 Heads of the Valleys road near Merthyr Tydfil.

The Guardian

The outcome lifted the Bergamaschi to 12th and kept the bottom side Catania winless on the road this season.

The Guardian - Sport

Pumphouse Point Pumphouse Point road, Lake St Clair 0428 090 436 Lake St Clair lodge Lake St Clair Road, Lake St Clair [phone] Oatlands lodge 92 High Street, Oatlands [phone] Oliver Milman travelled to Tasmania courtesy of Tourism Tasmania.

The Guardian - Travel

And an incredibly cheesy Budweiser advert uses the bond between a man and his dog to promote road safety.

The Guardian

Not one moment of this long day on the road had been spent in the traditional hitching pose: waving signs or thumbs at passing motorists.

The Guardian - Travel

Wales have not lost on the road in the Six Nations since March 2011, the month that Ireland last beat one of their title rivals, England, Wales or France, at home.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a journey or progression, consider using "road" metaphorically to represent a path or course of action. For instance, "the road to success".

Common error

Avoid using "road" interchangeably with "street" or "avenue" without considering the specific context. "Street" typically refers to a public road in a city or town, while "avenue" suggests a wide, often tree-lined street. "Road" is more general and can refer to any route between two places.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "road" is as a noun, referring to a pathway or route for vehicles or pedestrians. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is a standard term used across diverse contexts, from literal references to metaphorical journeys.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Sport

18%

Travel

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "road" is a common and versatile noun, primarily used to denote a route or pathway for travel, but also employed metaphorically to represent a course of action or life's journey. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, sports, and travel writing. While alternatives like "route", "street", or "highway" exist, "road" remains a fundamental and reliable term in the English language. Using "road" correctly involves being mindful of its general nature, and avoiding confusion with more specific terms like "street" or "avenue".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

route

Focuses on the path or direction taken, rather than the physical structure of the road.

street

A general term for a public road in a city or town, often with buildings on one or both sides.

thoroughfare

A formal term for a road or street, emphasizing its role as a principal route for travel.

highway

A major public road designed for travel between destinations, often at high speeds.

thorough way

An alternative phrasing, emphasizing the concept of passage and unobstructed movement.

course

Stresses the direction or line of movement, similar to 'route' but can also imply a planned path.

avenue

Implies a wide, often tree-lined road, typically found in urban settings.

thoroughpass

A passage or way through something. Similar to thoroughfare, denoting open passage.

pathway

Suggests a smaller, less formal road or track, often for pedestrians or cyclists.

track

Implies a rough or unpaved road, often in a rural or undeveloped area.

FAQs

How can "road" be used metaphorically in writing?

The word "road" can be used metaphorically to describe a course of action, a journey, or a path towards a goal. For instance, you might refer to "the "road to success"" or "a "difficult road" ahead".

What's the difference between "road", "street", and "avenue"?

"Road" is a general term for a route between two places. "Street" typically refers to a public road in a city or town, often with buildings on either side. "Avenue" usually suggests a wide, often tree-lined street. The terms are similar, but context dictates the best choice.

What are some alternatives to using the word "road"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "route", "path", "highway", or "thoroughfare". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "road" in formal writing?

Yes, "road" is perfectly acceptable in formal writing. It is a standard English word with a clear and widely understood meaning. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.