Cool MateCrossing vs Intersection
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Crossing
Top 2,000 (common)
Intersection
Top 2,000 (common)B1noun
| Crossing | Intersection | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈkrɒs.ɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈkrɔːs.ɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɪntəsekʃn/","/ˌɪntəˈsekʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪntərsekʃn/","/ˌɪntərˈsekʃn/"]/ |
| Meaning | The act of going from one side to another. | A place where two or more roads meet. |
| Example | The pedestrian is waiting at the crossing. | Traffic lights have been placed at all major intersections. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | railway crossing, pedestrian crossing, crossing the street | traffic intersection, four-way intersection, intersection sign |
| Antonyms | staying, remaining | divergence, separation |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'cross' as a verb and 'crossing' as a noun., Using 'crossing' in contexts where 'cross' is more appropriate., Incorrectly placing prepositions, e.g., 'crossing at the road' instead of 'crossing the road.' | Confusing with 'junction', which can imply more complex connections., Using it in non-road contexts, like emotional intersections., Mispronouncing it as 'inter-section' instead of 'in-ter-section'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'crossing' for both physical movements and figurative transitions. Avoid in overly formal contexts. | Use 'intersection' when talking about roads or paths. It's neutral, so suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Avoid using it for non-physical or abstract connections. |
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Frequently asked questions: Crossing vs Intersection
What's the difference between Crossing and Intersection?
Crossing: The act of going from one side to another. Intersection: A place where two or more roads meet.
Can you show an example of each?
Crossing: The pedestrian is waiting at the crossing. Intersection: Traffic lights have been placed at all major intersections.
Can I use Crossing and Intersection interchangeably?
Not always. Crossing and Intersection are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.