subway

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "subway" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a form of transportation such as an underground rail system or a type of sandwich. For example: "I took the subway to work this morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We walked together every day after school to the Carroll Street subway station in south Brooklyn.

The Guardian

If he had Down's syndrome and he accidently pushed someone off a subway, that would be different… I've seen things where people are like, 'Adria didn't know what she was doing by tweeting it.' Yes, I did".

The Guardian - Tech

Outside rush hour, the subway is eerily silent: thanks to a strong underground signal, everyone's staring at their smartphones, texting, playing games, or reading.

The Guardian - Travel

Or the battle to get on a New York subway car during rush hour.

The Guardian - Sport

I waved a cheery hello to a man who looked suspiciously like Tony Bennett and stumbled out into the humid Manhattan night, wondering how the hell I was going to find the 7 subway back to Queens.

The Guardian - Film

Only after a fortnight did it strike me: not once did I hear a single person actually speaking into their phone on the Tokyo subway.

The Guardian - Travel

The Meltdown artists who reached New York in the 70s all share certain memories: the infernal rattling of the graffiti-smeared subway cars, the rent-paying jobs in dive bars and X-rated movie theatres, the hunt for cheap accommodation in parts of town where even cab drivers feared to venture, the culture shock of entering a rotting, neurotic metropolis.

The Guardian - Music

It was everything I could have dreamed New York would have been – yellow cabs, people coming out of the subway, the big lights of Broadway and the seedy characters hanging around drinking beer out of brown paper bags.

The Guardian - Film

I was used to travelling on the underground but nothing prepared me for the New York subway.

The Guardian - Film

Like the original version of Total Recall having videos on the subway!

The Guardian

Prestigious public art commissions came her way: for instance, the lavish, glittering mosaic murals that since 2001 have adorned the subway station under New York's Lincoln Center.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a subway system, specify the city or region if it's not clear from the context (e.g., "the New York subway", "the Tokyo subway") to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "subway" interchangeably with other forms of public transport like trams or light rail. "Subway" specifically refers to an underground rail system.

Linguistic Context

The word "subway" primarily functions as a noun, denoting an underground railway system, particularly for mass transit. According to Ludwig, the term is widely recognized and used correctly. The examples provided confirm this usage, showcasing its role in describing urban transportation networks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Film

14%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Arts

6%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "subway" is a common and correct noun referring to an underground railway system used for mass transit. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and widely used across diverse contexts, especially in news and media. While alternatives like "underground railway" or "metro system" exist, "subway" remains a prevalent term, particularly in American English. Remember to specify the location when necessary to avoid ambiguity. Avoiding interchangeable use with other transit systems will keep your writing clear and precise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underground railway

Emphasizes the underground aspect and the rail transport nature.

metro system

A more general term for an urban rapid transit system.

underground train

Highlights the train aspect that runs underground.

tube

A common colloquial term, especially in London, for a subway.

rapid transit

Focuses on the speed and efficiency of the transport system.

mass transit system

Highlights the ability to transport large numbers of people.

underground transportation

A broader term encompassing any form of transportation beneath the surface.

subterranean train network

More descriptive, emphasizing the network aspect and its location underground.

urban rail transit

Focuses on the urban setting and the rail-based nature.

underground passage

Emphasizes the physical structure allowing passage underneath.

FAQs

How is the term "subway" used in a sentence?

The term "subway" is commonly used as a noun to refer to an underground train system. For example: "I take the subway to work every day", or "The subway station is just around the corner".

What are some alternative terms I can use instead of "subway"?

You can use alternatives like "underground railway", "metro system", or "rapid transit" depending on the context.

What is the difference between a "subway" and an underpass?

A "subway" is primarily a rapid transit system, while an underpass is a pedestrian walkway or tunnel beneath a road or railway. The main difference lies in their purpose: one is for transport, the other for pedestrian passage.

Is there a difference between "subway" and "tube"?

The terms "subway" and "tube" are generally interchangeable, but "tube" is more commonly used in British English, specifically to refer to the London Underground. "Subway" is the more common term in American English.