a large traffic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a large traffic" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as "traffic" is an uncountable noun and does not take an article like "a." Example: "There was a large amount of traffic on the highway during rush hour."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Central to the area is the Elephant and Castle, a large traffic roundabout named for an 18th-century inn.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dupont Circle gets its name from a large traffic circle and marble fountain a few blocks away; on one side of the fountain is a Metro station.

The New York Times

Gusts of wind ripped a large traffic sign off a newly built highway near the rowing site, crushing a taxi but causing no injuries.

The New York Times

Their first project was Leonard Morange Park, a large traffic island adjacent to the Bronxville train station named for a World War I veteran.

The New York Times

His igloo fountain on a large traffic island in Corso Mediterraneo, for example, is a structure of metal and stone integrated with neon lights that indicate cardinal directions and are reflected on a water surface.

The Guardian

The 18th stage began in Cluses, where the Tour entourage ran into a large traffic jam, and ended its run west in Bourg en Bresse, a poultry center of outstanding hospitality.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Main roads are improved in order to carry a larger traffic volume without additional delays or more accidents.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

In this case, further investigation of the recommendation, based on the pilot in Spain, revealed that unnecessary delay created by traffic light control focusing solely on the pedestrian flow could be inefficient, as traffic lights at a single intersection are often part of a larger traffic control system.

European Transport Research Review

The reason is that a larger packet size means a larger traffic load when the node number is the same; a larger delay can reduce the number that nodes attempt to access channel in a unit time, thereby reducing the contention intensity.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The database cannot adapt to large traffic at an acceptable cost.

BioMed Research International

So there is an indirect connection between SpongeBob and the revolution, in the sense that the uprising transformed Tahrir Square from a large, empty traffic circle, to a revolutionary stronghold, and eventually to a hub of informal commerce.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "a large traffic" in formal writing. Opt for phrases like "heavy traffic", "significant traffic", or "high traffic volume" for better clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Common error

Many writers incorrectly treat "traffic" as a countable noun. Remember that "traffic" is generally uncountable. Instead of saying "a large traffic", use "a large amount of traffic" or, more concisely, "heavy traffic".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large traffic" functions as a noun phrase, where "large" modifies the noun "traffic". However, as Ludwig AI points out, this construction is grammatically questionable because "traffic" is generally uncountable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a large traffic" is used to describe a significant amount of vehicular or network activity. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the construction is grammatically questionable because "traffic" is typically an uncountable noun. While the phrase appears in various contexts, including news articles and scientific publications, it's generally advisable to opt for more standard and grammatically sound alternatives like "heavy traffic", "significant traffic", or "high traffic volume", especially in formal writing. Understanding this distinction can enhance the clarity and precision of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heavy traffic

Replaces 'large' with 'heavy' to describe the intensity of traffic, a more common and grammatically sound expression.

significant traffic

Substitutes 'large' with 'significant', indicating a notable amount of traffic.

high traffic volume

Replaces "traffic" with "traffic volume" to explicitly refer to the quantity of traffic.

a great deal of traffic

Uses a more formal expression to indicate a substantial amount of traffic.

considerable traffic

Emphasizes the substantial nature of the traffic.

substantial traffic flow

Rephrases to highlight the movement aspect of a significant amount of traffic.

increased traffic load

Focuses on the burden or demand that the traffic places on a system or infrastructure.

major congestion

Highlights traffic jams and blockages.

peak traffic hours

Specifically refers to times when traffic is at its highest.

dense traffic conditions

Describes the density of vehicles on the road, implying high traffic.

FAQs

What is the best way to describe a lot of traffic?

Instead of using "a large traffic", which can sound awkward, try phrases like "heavy traffic", "significant traffic", or "high volume of traffic".

Is it grammatically correct to say "a large traffic"?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "a large traffic" is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English because "traffic" is generally an uncountable noun. It's better to use alternatives.

What are some alternatives to "a large traffic" that are more concise?

For brevity, consider using "heavy traffic" or "dense traffic". These phrases are widely understood and grammatically sound.

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "a large traffic", even if it's not ideal?

You might find "a large traffic" in informal writing or speech, or in contexts where precise grammar is not a primary concern. However, for formal reports, articles, or business communications, it's best to choose a more standard alternative.