ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: 1) what is the difference between freeway and highway and superhighway?

Anonymous — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 21:05:11 GMT

Hi, Avangi,

Thank you very much for giving me lots of information about them.

Re: 1) what is the difference between freeway and highway and superhighway?

Avangi — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:57:41 GMT

I think "highway" is a very old term dating back to the days of the horse and buggy, and "highwaymen," who robbed travellers. Some states in the US mention "highways" in their traffic laws, but it means different things in different states. For example, in Vermont, it's against the law to back a vehicle into a highway. In California, I was told by a police officer teaching traffic school that there's no such thing as a highway in California law.

In general, I think you'd be safe in calling any non-residential street which is not a dirt road, a highway. It may have only one lane in each direction, or it may have four. In most states, the interstates are called "interstate highways," or simply, "the interstate." In California, they're all called "freeways." All of the freeways are limited access highways. I believe there are a couple of the original freeways in the Los Angeles area which are not interstates, eg the Pasadena Freeway, which has a primitive form of limited access, but does not meet the specifications of the interstates.

I believe there are a few cases where exceptions are made, allowing interstates to be accessed at traditional stop light or stop sign intersections, but these are in remote, rural areas with very little traffic, and ample warning is given. (There's usually not enough traffic to justify the expense of constructing the necessary ramps, bridges and overpasses.)

- A..

Re: 1) what is the difference between freeway and highway and superhighway?

Anonymous — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:40:32 GMT

Hi Avangi,

Thank you very much. Are 'freeway' and 'highway' different kinds of road?

Re: 1) what is the difference between freeway and highway and superhighway?

Avangi — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:55:13 GMT

Traffic laws and road designations are regulated by the states, with the exception of the interstate highway system, based on federal statutes signed into law by Eisenhower - as I said before. Interstates are limited access multi-lane highways (also as I said before) and have other technical specifications as to grade, curve radius, construction and materials, etc.

"Limited access" is the expression customarily used to describe the system of interchanges and on/off ramps. The use of HOV lanes (high occupancy vehicle/car-pool) is controlled by federal statute. Traffic lights have been used for several years to control the flow of entering traffic (at on-ramps) during rush hour. New to me this year is the addition of traffic signals to control the flow from one interstate to another during rush hour (Los Angeles freeways). I haven't yet seen them in operation.

- A.

Re: 1) what is the difference between freeway and highway and superhighway?

Anonymous — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:55:57 GMT

Thank you very much, GG for your reply. Is it possible that in some areas you call it 'highways' but in other areas you call it 'freeway'? Does it depend on different areas? Thanks.

Re: 1) what is the difference between freeway and highway and superhighway?

Grammar Geek — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:25:47 GMT

There are certainly roads where I live that are called "highways" and do have traffic lights.

Re: 1) what is the difference between freeway and highway and superhighway?

Anonymous — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:58:14 GMT

Hi,
Are there any traffic lights on the highway? Can it be crossed by another road? Thanks.

Re: 1) what is the difference between freeway and highway and superhighway?

Vorpar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:32:18 GMT

Some highways have tolls. Freeways do not. Freeways also can't be crossed by another road, they have on and off-ramps.

Re: 1) what is the difference between freeway and highway and superhighway?

Avangi — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:09:21 GMT

1.In the US there are regional differences in the usage. In some states, "highway" is a legal definition, contrasting with a residential street and a rural dirt road. (a paved road on which you may drive at "highway speed.")

President Eisenhower signed the bill creating our system of interstate highways. In general, they're multi lane limited access roads. In California, they're called freeways, I guess as long as they're not toll roads.

Superhighway is an old fashioned term, popular at the 1938 World's Fair, before they existed. There were many exhibits showing what the world might look like in the future, with fantastic overpasses etc. Now that we have them, nobody calls them that, unless they're really from the sticks.

2. Both are correct. (A) is higher register - more formal.

3. Braces.

4. Smashed / squashed / flattened / splattered (this one would better apply if you threw the tomato against a wall.)

1) what is the difference between freeway and highway and superhighway?

Belly — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:19:19 GMT

1) what is the difference between freeway and highway and superhighway?
2) I plan__ tonight
a) to go to her house
b) on going to her house
I think both will do, but my teacher said it was a, not b, why?

3) What is the metal ring you wear on your teeth when you want your teeth set become smaller and nicer (your old teeth are protruding) ?

4) What is the adj that describe the state of a tomato you throw out on the street then a truck cross over it? I mean the state of the tomato, an adj