What are common transport words?

Here are some common words for different ways to travel. These are important for talking about your daily life and holidays.

• Car: A private vehicle with four wheels for one or a few people.
• Bus: A large public vehicle that carries many people on a fixed route.
• Train: A public vehicle that runs on railway tracks, often for longer distances.
• Plane: A vehicle that flies in the air, used for air travel.
• Motorbike: A two-wheeled vehicle with an engine.
• Bike (or Bicycle): A two-wheeled vehicle you pedal with your feet.
• Boat: A vehicle that travels on water, like a river or the sea.
• Taxi: A car you pay to drive you to a specific place.
• Underground (UK) / Subway (US): A public train system that runs under the ground in cities.

How do we use verbs with transport?

We use different verbs to talk about using transport. Here are some common ones:

• Go by + transport: Use this for the general method of travel. For example, I go to work by bus.
• Take + transport: Use this for a specific journey or a specific vehicle. For example, I take the bus to school every day.
• Ride + bike / motorbike / horse: Use this for vehicles you sit on. For example, She rides her bike to the park.
• Drive + car / bus / train: Use this if you are the person controlling the vehicle. For example, He drives a taxi for a living.
• Walk: Use this when you travel using your feet. For example, I walk to the shop because it’s close.

Which prepositions do we use with transport?

Prepositions are small words like by, on, and in. They are very important for transport.

• By: Use by for the general method of transport. We use it with most vehicles when we don’t use ‘a’ or ‘the’. For example: by car, by bus, by train, by plane, by boat.
• On: Use on for public transport where you can stand or walk inside (like a bus or train). Also use on for two-wheeled vehicles. For example: on the bus, on the train, on a bike, on a motorbike.
• In: Use in for private, enclosed vehicles where you usually just sit. For example: in the car, in a taxi.
• Special case: To talk about walking, we say on foot, not by foot.

Examples

• I usually go to work by bus.
• She rides her bike to the park every day.
• We took a taxi to the airport last night.
• They are traveling by plane to London next week.
• My father drives his car to the office every morning.
• I prefer to walk when the weather is nice.
• Are you on the bus now?
• He is in his car, stuck in traffic.

Practice

Common mistakes for Spanish speakers

Spanish speakers often use “en” for all types of transport. In English, we use different prepositions. This can be confusing.

• Incorrect: I go in bus.
• Correct: I go by bus. (For the general method)
• Incorrect: I am in the bike.
• Correct: I am on the bike. (For two-wheeled vehicles)

Remember these rules:

• Use by for the general method (e.g., by car, by train).
• Use in for private enclosed vehicles (e.g., in a car, in a taxi).
• Use on for public transport (e.g., on the bus, on the train) and two-wheeled vehicles (e.g., on a bike).

よくある質問

What is the difference between a bike and a motorbike?

A bike (or bicycle) uses pedals and your own power to move. A motorbike has an engine and uses fuel to move much faster.

Can I say ‘by foot’ in English?

No, we do not say by foot. When you walk, the correct expression is on foot. For example, I go to school on foot.

When do I use ‘take’ and when do I use ‘go by’?

Use go by for the general method of travel, like I go by bus. Use take when you talk about a specific journey or a specific vehicle, like I take the 8 o’clock bus または I take a taxi.

Related lessons

• Transport vocabulary