back of the traffic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back of the traffic" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe a position relative to traffic, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "The car was stuck at the back of the traffic jam, unable to move forward."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Ulbrich is a man who believes it's fun is to whip past traffic jams, exit the highway and turn around, joining at the very back of the traffic jam.

Forbes

Eligibility is based on the type of driving violation and is usually listed on the back of the traffic ticket.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"They weren't necessarily eager to have the president come back because of the traffic.

The New York Times

This recent design and concept overhaul was an attempt to win back some of the traffic lost to competitors like Facebook.

TechCrunch

"It takes me about an hour and a half to get to work every day, and back, and most of the traffic is in Fairfield County.

The New York Times

A taxi driver named Reina Blanco waved her arm at the highway and told me: "Once again I'm going to be hearing tourists say they'll never come back here because of the traffic".

The New York Times

What remains is a language of restrained gesture and whispered hints -- the back of a traffic sign, the edge of an overturned construction cone, the mere suspicion of a horizon line.

Huffington Post

Hamm found the back of the net through traffic after Abby Wambach slipped her a pass in the 64th minute.

The New York Times - Sports

Gushing down the hill towards it along Rua Capitão Salomão, a fast-moving current of water sent a fleet of black rubbish bags sailing down the street, straight into the back of the suddenly motionless traffic.

The Guardian

When Stack Overflow raised $40 million in 2015, the company specifically said the investment would be used to build out the recruitment part of its business, which at the time accounted for two-thirds of the company's revenues and was growing on the back of the reputation and traffic of Stack Overflow's Q&A niche.

TechCrunch

Clearly, a well organized, well funded, international effort will be needed to break the back of the criminal organizations trafficking in Latin America's wildlife.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "back of the traffic", opt for clearer and more common alternatives like "end of the traffic" or "rear of the traffic" to enhance readability.

Common error

Avoid using "back of the traffic" in formal writing. It can sound clumsy. Instead, consider using clearer alternatives to avoid potential misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back of the traffic" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating a position or location relative to the traffic flow. It specifies the rearmost part or end of the traffic. However, Ludwig AI highlights that it is not considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "back of the traffic" is understandable, it's not the most grammatically sound or frequently used expression. As Ludwig AI explains, it is not considered correct. Its purpose is to denote a position at the end or rear of traffic, but clearer and more conventional alternatives such as "end of the traffic" or "rear of the traffic" are recommended for better clarity and formality. It appears mostly in news or general contexts, but more formal options suit professional writing better.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rear of the traffic

Replaces "back" with "rear", providing a more formal synonym.

end of the traffic

Substitutes "back" with "end", offering a simpler alternative.

tail end of the traffic

Adds "tail" to emphasize the rearmost part of the traffic.

at the back of the traffic flow

Adds "flow" to specify the movement of traffic.

behind the traffic

Uses "behind" to indicate a position relative to the traffic.

last in traffic

A more concise way of saying being at the very end of the traffic.

at the tail of the queue of traffic

Specifies a queue or line of traffic and places the subject at its tail.

in the wake of the traffic

Emphasizes being directly after the traffic.

following the traffic

Focuses on the action of moving behind the traffic.

at the rearward part of the traffic

A more descriptive and less common way to describe the location.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "back of the traffic"?

Instead of "back of the traffic", consider using more common phrases such as "end of the traffic", "rear of the traffic", or "tail end of the traffic".

Is "back of the traffic" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "back of the traffic" is not the most grammatically sound or commonly used phrase. More conventional options exist that enhance clarity.

How can I improve the clarity of my writing when referring to the position behind traffic?

Use phrases like "at the end of the traffic flow" or "behind the traffic" to avoid ambiguity. Always consider your audience and the context.

When is it acceptable to use "back of the traffic"?

While not strictly incorrect, it's better to avoid using "back of the traffic" in formal or professional contexts. In casual conversation, it might be acceptable, but clearer alternatives are generally preferred.