Road vs Rode
What’s the difference between them?
Road
Meaning:
A way, especially a public one, for travel, typically surfaced with gravel, asphalt, or concrete.
Examples:
1. I took a wrong turn and ended up on an unfamiliar road.
2. We are turning on a road m-19.
3. We need to repair some of the potholes on the road.
Rode
Meaning:
Verb (past tense of 'ride'): to travel on horseback or on a bicycle, motorcycle, etc.
Examples:
1. He rode his bike to school.
2. I rode the bus to work today.
3. We rode the roller coaster twice.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Road
1. Thoroughfare
2. Pathway
3. Way
4. Highway
5. Route
1. Wilderness
2. Off-road
3. Pathless
4. Trailless
Rode
1. Journeyed
2. Traversed
3. Navigated
4. Made a trip
5. Went on a voyage
1. Dismounted
2. Walked
3. Flew
4. Slowed
5. Stopped
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Road", "Rode".
1. Road is a noun meaning a paved way or path for vehicles or people to travel on.
2. Think of the word as a 'roadway' - the path on which a vehicle travels.
3. Rode is the past tense of the verb 'ride', meaning to travel on a horse, car, bike, etc.
4. Mnemonic Device: Think of the phrase 'I rode my bike' to help you remember the past tense of 'ride'.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When should the word 'road' be used?
Road should be used when referring to a long, paved or graveled way, usually open to the public, that can be used for travel or transportation. It is also used figuratively to mean a route or course of action.
When is the appropriate context for using the word 'rode'?
Rode should generally be used when referring to the past tense of the verb ride, meaning to sit on and control the movement of an animal or a vehicle. It can also be used figuratively to describe a journey or experience.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
Yes, these words have similar pronunciation, so you have pay attention to the context to use the correct word.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One common mistake is using the wrong tense when using these two words. For example, someone might accidentally say 'I road my bike yesterday.' The correct phrase should be 'I rode my bike yesterday.' Another common mistake is using the wrong spelling of the words, such as writing 'rode' instead of 'road,' or vice versa.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. I ______ on my bike to school every day when I was younger.
2. The construction workers are repairing the ______ due to some cracks.
3. Last summer, we ______ horses on the beach during our vacation.
4. The new ______ leading to the park was inaugurated yesterday.
5. We ______ the bus to the concert, it was quite an adventure!
6. Always be careful while crossing the ______, especially at intersections.
1. Answer: rode
Explanation: The sentence is talking about traveling on a bike in the past, which indicates the past tense of ride, hence rode.
2. Answer: road
Explanation: The context of construction workers repairing implies that they are working on a physical path or way, so road is appropriate.
3. Answer: rode
Explanation: The context is about traveling on horses in the past, indicating the past tense of ride, which is rode.
4. Answer: road
Explanation: The sentence mentions a way leading to a park, indicating the correct word is road.
5. Answer: rode
Explanation: The context is about traveling on a bus in the past, which indicates the past tense of ride, hence rode.
6. Answer: road
Explanation: The clue crossing indicates a physical path or way, so road is the appropriate choice.
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.