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New2grammar Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

cargo

The car hit the guard rail and overturned, spilling its cargo all over the highway.

Can I say 'cargo" to refer to things in the trunk?

Thanks
  

Top answer

New2grammar The car hit the guard rail and overturned, spilling its cargo all over the highway. Can I say 'cargo" to refer to things in the trunk? Thanks Not really, cargo implies much more than would fit in the boot of a car.

— Optilang

  • New2grammar The car hit the guard rail and overturned, spilling its cargo all over the highway.
  • Can I say 'cargo" to refer to things in the trunk?
  • Thanks Not really, cargo implies much more than would fit in the boot of a car.
  • It also implies commercial transport.
  • I would suggest The car hit the guard rail and overturned, spilling the contents of the trunk all over the highway.
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4 Answers
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New2grammarThe car hit the guard rail and overturned, spilling its cargo all over the highway.

Can I say 'cargo" to refer to things in the trunk?

Thanks

Not really, cargo implies much more than would fit in the boot of a car. It also implies commercial transport.

I would suggest

The car hit the guard rail and overtu
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How about a Ford pickup truck? Does cargo fit?
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For me, the idea of cargo is quite large, being transported by a large lorry, ship, or plane.

I would use the term goods for smaller vehicles, if we are talking about commercial items. These are transported in goods lorries or goods vans.

I wouldn't call what could be placed in a car or pick-up truck cargo.
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