walk on the street vs. walk in the street

[munchkin2618]

Which is correct? I usually say walk on the street. But is it also right to say walk in the street?

 

[TheParser]

NOT A TEACHER


(1) I believe that here in the United States, most people say:

(a) Walk on the street. = Walk on the SIDEWALK.

(i) Pardon this crude example, but it might help you remember: sometimes prostitutes are called streetwalkers.

(b) Walk in the street. = You are literally (actually) walking in the area used by automobiles. Mothers will often warn their children: Don't play in the street!

 

[SirGod]

* Not a teacher

Also, as an addition to TheParser's great post, the British version of "sidewalk" is "pavement".

 

[munchkin2618]

Thanks ~

 

[Barb_D]

Please do note that there is a difference between American use and everyone else in this in/on usage. An American would tell you that walking IN the street is dangerous.

 

[BobSmith]

Also, as an addition to TheParser's great post, the British version of "sidewalk" is "pavement".

[not a teacher]

Interesting, to me, pavement is just another word for the street's surface (i.e. paved surface). In fact, if I fell on the sidewalk, I might say, "I tripped on the sidewalk and hit my head on the cement." It wouldn't dawn on me to use "pavement".

 

[bhaisahab]

[not a teacher]

Interesting, to me, pavement is just another word for the street's surface (i.e. paved surface). In fact, if I fell on the sidewalk, I might say, "I tripped on the sidewalk and hit my head on the cement." It wouldn't dawn on me to use "pavement".

In BrE we would say "concrete" rather than "cement". A "pavement" is so called because it's made up of "paving slabs".

 

[SirGod]

Isn't cement one of the materials (the main one, actually) mixed up to make concrete?

 

[bhaisahab]

Isn't cement one of the materials (the main one, actually) mixed up to make concrete?

Yes, it is.

 

[SirGod]

Yes, it is.

So, can they be synonyms (depending on the dialect)?

 

[bhaisahab]

So, can they be synonyms (depending on the dialect)?

I think Americans call "concrete" "cement".

 

[BobSmith]

I think Americans call "concrete" "cement".

Yep But we also use concrete, especially to make the distinction between the mixture and its parts. But alone, cement is fine how I used it above.

I just thought of the phrase "hit the pavement", which means to start moving/traveling. E.g. "If we're going to make the movie on time, we better (HA!) hit the pavement." In this context, I can see that meaning sidewalk or street.

 

[BobSmith]

In BrE we would say "concrete" rather than "cement". A "pavement" is so called because it's made up of "paving slabs".

[not a teacher]

BTW, it's not common in AmE to say "a pavement" - always the definite article.

 

[cereal_chick]

To reply to the threadstarter,

As a BrE speaker, I would say walk down a street.

[Not a teacher]

 

[shannico]

* Not a teacher

Also, as an addition to TheParser's great post, the British version of "sidewalk" is "pavement".

It's footpath in Hiberno English...