a heavy crowd

USAGE SUMMARY

"a heavy crowd" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a large group of people, such as "There was a heavy crowd at the concert last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

They quoted witnesses as saying that Mr. Diarrassouba had staggered into the street and collapsed amid a heavy crowd of shoppers.

The New York Times

Rafter, a heavy crowd favorite, took the first game on four aces and then pounded Chang's serve to go up a break.

The New York Times - Sports

When in a heavy crowd moving in multiple directions, keep your eyes focused on your path.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The sixtyish Sandra Ann Dowdd), the manager, has a lot on her hands—a heavy Friday-night crowd, not enough bacon in the larder, and a few young employees who slack off when they can.

The New Yorker

She spoke conspicuously of "my friend Bernie Sanders," looking out on a student-heavy crowd inside a university field house here, and wrapped her former rival in a warm embrace from the stage.

The New York Times

The farm is a few miles west of New Hope, a historic town that draws a heavy tourist crowd looking for antiques and vintage clothing.

The Washington Post

In Deir al-Zour, in eastern Syria, where military forces began an attack on protesters two weeks ago, killing dozens, activists said that the Friday demonstration attracted a big crowd despite the heavy presence of security forces.

The New York Times

Then, in Marra's opportunity to atone, he looked unsettled at the free-throw line as a UConn-heavy crowd whipped into an ear-splitting frenzy.

The New York Times - Sports

The cafe, housed in a light-drenched former gallery space on a burgeoning stretch of Orchard Street, is already attracting a (dude-heavy) crowd.

The New York Times

Just ask Against Me! leader Laura Jane Grace, who delivered her band's "I Was a Teenage Anarchist" to an adrenaline-heavy crowd.

Los Angeles Times

Just ask Laura Jane Grace, who delivered her band Against Me's "I Was a Teenage Anarchist" to an adrenaline-heavy crowd at the annual FYF Fest on Saturday evening.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or locations, use "a heavy crowd" to emphasize not just the number of people but also the feeling of density and potential congestion.

Common error

Avoid using "a heavy crowd" when you only want to emphasize the number of people. If there is no implication of density or congestion, a phrase like "a large gathering" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a heavy crowd" functions as a noun phrase, where "heavy" modifies the noun "crowd". It describes a large group of people, emphasizing the density or intensity of the gathering. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and acceptable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a heavy crowd" is a grammatically correct and generally accepted phrase used to describe a large and dense gathering of people. According to Ludwig AI, its primary function is to convey both the size and the feeling of congestion associated with the crowd. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts and has a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal writing. While alternatives like "a large gathering" or "a dense crowd" exist, "a heavy crowd" specifically emphasizes the intensity and potential difficulty in movement within the group.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dense crowd

Highlights the compactness and closeness of the people.

a big crowd

Similar in meaning, but less emphasis on the density or intensity.

a large gathering

Focuses on the size of the group, without necessarily implying density.

a massive throng

Emphasizes the large number of people, often moving together.

a packed audience

Specifically refers to an audience that is full.

a substantial turnout

Emphasizes the number of people attending an event.

a teeming mass

Suggests a large, active group, often chaotic.

a bustling group

Highlights the energy and activity of the crowd.

a crowded area

Focuses on the location being full of people, rather than the crowd itself.

a significant number of people

A more formal and neutral way to describe a large group.

FAQs

How can I use "a heavy crowd" in a sentence?

You can use "a heavy crowd" to describe a large gathering of people where there is a sense of density or congestion. For example, "The concert attracted a heavy crowd".

What's the difference between "a heavy crowd" and "a large crowd"?

"A heavy crowd" implies a sense of density and potential congestion, while "a large crowd" simply indicates a significant number of people. You might use "a large crowd" at a stadium with plenty of space, but "a heavy crowd" at a packed subway station.

What are some alternatives to "a heavy crowd"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a dense crowd", "a large gathering", or "a packed audience".

Is it appropriate to use "a heavy crowd" in formal writing?

Yes, "a heavy crowd" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. However, in very formal contexts, you might consider using a more descriptive phrase like "a significant number of people".