Snow and ice · Weather
black ice
thin, hard-to-see ice
Black ice is a thin layer of ice on a road that is difficult to see.
This vs that
There's black ice on the road.
There's snow on the road.
Hear it in real life
Why are you walking so slowly?
There's black ice on the pavement.
The car slid on black ice just outside the village.
Which sounds natural?
Psst — which one would you actually say?
People use the short warning because the ice is hard to see and can be dangerous.
The mistake everyone makes
Not: There are black ices on the road.
Say: There's black ice on the road.
Use uncountable “ice” in this sense; do not add a plural ending.
Say it together
Whole chunks natives use with it.
black ice on ___
There may be black ice on the road after last night's frost.
The council warned drivers about black ice on the bridge.
Snow and ice words
Weather · Snow and ice: the words around “black ice”.
More connectionsMore snow and ice words5
More snow and ice words
Your turn: say it out loud
Watch out for black ice.
Say it out loud two or three times, until it feels like yours.
black ice
thin, hard-to-see ice
“The car slid on black ice just outside the village.”
heytardy