People crossing the road vs Walkers

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

People crossing the road

Top 3,000 (common)

Walkers

Top 3,000 (common)
 People crossing the roadWalkers
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ˈpiːpl ˈkrɒsɪŋ ðə roʊd//🇺🇸 //ˈpipəl ˈkrɔsɪŋ ðə roʊd//🇬🇧 //ˈwɔːkəz//🇺🇸 //ˈwɔːkərz//
MeaningPeople walking from one side of the road to the other.People who walk, especially for exercise or walking a dog.
ExampleI saw several people crossing the road at the traffic lights.During the weekend, many walkers enjoy the trails in the park.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 3,000 (common)Top 3,000 (common)
Collocationstraffic lights, busy street, pedestrian safetynature walkers, dog walkers, power walkers, city walkers, social walkers
Common mistakesConfusing with 'pedestrian crossing' which refers to a specific area on the road., Using 'crossing' in past tense incorrectly (e.g., 'crossed the road' can mislead to a completed action).Confusing 'walker' with 'wanderer' – 'walker' specifically refers to someone walking purposefully., Using 'walkers' in singular form when referring to multiple people., Assuming 'walkers' only means people walking for exercise, omitting other contexts.
Usage notesUse this phrase when describing pedestrians. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts, especially in discussions about traffic safety.Use 'walkers' to refer to individuals walking in different contexts, such as exercise or leisure. In formal contexts, consider using 'pedestrians' instead.

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People crossing the road
Walkers

Frequently asked questions: People crossing the road vs Walkers

What's the difference between People crossing the road and Walkers?

People crossing the road: People walking from one side of the road to the other. Walkers: People who walk, especially for exercise or walking a dog.

Can you show an example of each?

People crossing the road: I saw several people crossing the road at the traffic lights. Walkers: During the weekend, many walkers enjoy the trails in the park.

Can I use People crossing the road and Walkers interchangeably?

Not always. People crossing the road and Walkers 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.