Car meaning in English
Learn how to use Car correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
a car: an automobile, a vehicle, a motor
Examples
- "Wang Automotive (Beijing, formerly "Xiao's Car Parts", acquired in June 1994, 83% ownership)"
- "Look, I'll let you drive my car, and I'll take you to lunch before the operation."
- "Kevin : Jean, have you ever driven a car before?"
- "A car advert?"
- "Magda comes by car."
- "For some, it's a brand new Cadillac car with leather interior."
- "As a result of the operation, Mr. Connors was physically unable to drive his own car, due to the bandages covering his eyes, which is why Mr. Marron happened to be at the wheel."
- "We continuously calculate the carbon dioxide emissions produced by our activities: machines, production, business trips by car, by plane, electricity for our offices, etcetera, etcetera."
- "Meter man : Sir, your car is being towed."
- "Please follow me to my car."
- "From cutting-edge French auto manufacturer Citron comes a new hybrid car equipped with four tires, an engine, two doors and a super smooth suspension that will make you think you're driving on cheese."
- "When I'm not working late, I'm in an aeroplane or going from meeting to meeting in my car."
- "We can take my car!"
- "Brian : Jean, 200 miles takes about three and a half hours by car."
- "To order a taxi or hire a car, please press 5."
- "Look I'm stranded here on Market Street, my car got towed, my credit card's been swallowed and I don't have enough money to get back to the office."
- "Last week he set fire to a car."
- "Susie : Well actually Dr. Donna, you parked your car in front of mine in the staff car park, and I just wanted to ask you to move it."
- "Kevin : That's not fair, you can't take my car."
Exercise 1
Ellie Mae uses the verb to ride in this conversation.
Which of the following things are traditionally ridden?
Which of the following things are traditionally ridden?
Ellie Mae uses the verb to ride in this conversation.
Which of the following things are traditionally ridden?
Which of the following things are traditionally ridden?
This is an incorrect choice. A "kite" is a light object attached to a long string or cord (held by a person) which flies through the sky. Although someone controls the movement of a kite, one cannot climb on top of it, and therefore one cannot "ride" it. The verb used to describe using a kite is "to fly", as in the sentence: Jean enjoys "flying kites".
This is an incorrect choice. One doesn't "ride" a car, one "drives" it, or rides IN it. The verb "to ride" is generally reserved with vehicles or animals which can be mounted (a horse, a bicycle, even an elephant), and controlled by a person on top of it.
This is a correct choice. The verb "to ride" means to sit on top of something (generally a vehicle or animal) and control its movement. A bike (or bicycle) is one vehicle which can be "ridden". You use the "handlebars" to steer the wheels, "breaks" to stop and "pedals" to make the wheels turn round. Note that not every vehicle or animal can be "ridden"!
This is a correct choice. The verb "to ride" means to sit on top of something (generally a vehicle or animal) and control its movement. A motorcycle is one vehicle which can be "ridden".
This is an incorrect choice. Although one sits on a chair, it does not move so one cannot "ride" it.
Exercise 2
Ellie Mae uses the verb to ride in this conversation.
Which of the following things are traditionally ridden?
Which of the following things are traditionally ridden?
Ellie Mae uses the verb to ride in this conversation.
Which of the following things are traditionally ridden?
Which of the following things are traditionally ridden?
This is an incorrect choice. A "kite" is a light object attached to a long string or cord (held by a person) which flies through the sky. Although someone controls the movement of a kite, one cannot climb on top of it, and therefore one cannot "ride" it. The verb used to describe using a kite is "to fly", as in the sentence: Jean enjoys "flying kites".
This is an incorrect choice. One doesn't "ride" a car, one "drives" it, or rides IN it. The verb "to ride" is generally reserved with vehicles or animals which can be mounted (a horse, a bicycle, even an elephant), and controlled by a person on top of it.
This is a correct choice. The verb "to ride" means to sit on top of something (generally a vehicle or animal) and control its movement. A bike (or bicycle) is one vehicle which can be "ridden". You use the "handlebars" to steer the wheels, "brakes" to stop and "pedals" to make the wheels turn round. Note that not every vehicle or animal can be "ridden"!
This is a correct choice. The verb "to ride" means to sit on top of something (generally a vehicle or animal) and control its movement. A motorcycle is one vehicle which can be "ridden".
This is an incorrect choice. Although one sits on a chair, it does not move so one cannot "ride" it.
Exercise 3
Sigourney Weevil is a British journalist. What would an American call the type of coach which Sigourney writes about?
Sigourney Weevil is a British journalist. What would an American call the type of coach which Sigourney writes about?
This is not the best choice. A "car" is a small, private vehicle or taxi. Most "cars" only have room for four people. This term is used in both the UK and US, and is not the American equivalent of "coach".
This is not the best choice. A "hovercraft" is an "air-cushion vehicle", usually driven by propellers. Hovercrafts can travel at high speeds over land or water. This term is used in both the UK and US, and is not the American equivalent of "coach".
This is not the best choice. A "tunnel" is an underground passage, such as the tunnel under Mont Blanc, or the tunnel under the English Channel, which links Britain and France. This term is used in both the UK and US, and is not the American equivalent of "coach".
"Bus" is the right answer. In British English, a "bus" is a large vehicle used for short journeys, usually within one town or city: "I caught the bus home when I left work". Also in British English, a "coach" is a large vehicle used for long journeys: "I'm travelling from London to Inverness by coach. I'm going to take sandwiches!". In American English, both of these forms of transport are described as "a bus".
Exercise 4
'Philip will be travelling by company car in order to save on airfare.'
A 'company car' is a .
'To save on airfare' is to .
A 'company car' is a .
'To save on airfare' is to .
'Philip will be travelling by company car in order to save on airfare.'
A 'company car' is a vehicle owned by a business 1.
'To save on airfare' is to not spend money on plane tickets 2.
A 'company car' is a vehicle owned by a business 1.
'To save on airfare' is to not spend money on plane tickets 2.
1 vehicle owned by a business: This is correct. A 'company car' is a vehicle 'owned by' or 'belonging to' a company. 'Company cars' are 'lent' or given to employees, usually with the intention for them to perform work duties. Example: 'We have bought company cars for our salesmen so that they can travel around the country.' 'To own (a house)' is to be its 'proprietor' or 'to possess' it. Example: 'Before I learned to love capitalism, I owned absolutely nothing.'
1 rental vehicle: This is incorrect. 'A 'rental vehicle' refers to a vehicle that is available for use during a (short or finite) period of time, in exchange for a payment or 'fee'. Example: 'When we went on holiday we used a rental vehicle to drive from town to town.' Note: 'rental vehicles' are also called 'hire vehicles' or 'vehicles for hire'.
1 shuttle bus: This is incorrect. A 'shuttle bus' is a multi-passenger vehicle that transports passengers between two destinations. Example: 'I took the shuttle bus between Terminal A and Terminal C of the airport.' Note that a 'car' refers to an 'automobile', and a 'bus' (or 'coach') is a vehicle that carries multiple passengers.
1 personal vehicle: This is incorrect. A 'company car' belongs to a business, it does not refer to a vehicle that personally belongs to Philip. It is possible that company cars can be used by multiple employees of a company.
2 not spend money on plane tickets: This is correct. To 'save on (a new car)' is to save or economise on the purchase of it. By using a vehicle owned by Delavigne, Philip won't need to spend money on a flight. 'Airfare' is the charge or fee to travel on an airplane: the price of the plane tickets.
2 respect the environment: This is incorrect. The expression 'to save on airfare' does not mean to 'respect the environment'. This idiom is not related to ecological issues.
2 avoid traffic: This is incorrect. The expression 'to save on airfare' does not mean 'to stay clear from' (or avoid) traffic (or 'congestion'). 'To avoid (an accident)' is 'to evade' or 'to keep away from' an accident.
2 avoid the airport: This is incorrect. The expression 'to save on airfare' does not mean 'to stay clear from' (or avoid) the airport. 'To avoid (an accident)' is 'to evade' or 'to keep away from' an accident.
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