What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ford
Example
We had to ford the river to get to the other side. [ford: verb]
Example
The car got stuck in the ford and we had to push it out. [ford: noun]
traverse
Example
We had to traverse the rocky terrain to reach the summit. [traverse: verb]
Example
The traverse across the valley was long and tiring. [traverse: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Traverse is more commonly used than ford in everyday language. Traverse is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ford is less common and refers specifically to crossing a body of water.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between ford and traverse?
While ford is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, traverse can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.