congest

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "congest" is correct and Usable in written English.
Congest is an intransitive verb that means to become obstructed or filled with an excessive amount of people or things. Example sentence: During rush hour, the roads can become congested with traffic.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Let us call her Mrs. Mipping, but her name is legion And she is to be found in any taxi helping to congest any congested region.

The New Yorker

By Ogden Nash The New Yorker, September 8 , 1956P. 36 Let us call her Mrs. Mipping, but her name is legion And she is to be found in any taxi helping to congest any congested region... View Article By Jelani Cobb By Seth Lind By David Remnick By Jia Tolentino.

The New Yorker

By Ogden Nash The New Yorker, September 8 , 1956P. 36 Let us call her Mrs. Mipping, but her name is legion And she is to be found in any taxi helping to congest any congested region... View Article By Ceridwen Dovey By Rivka Galchen By Malcolm Gladwell By David Remnick.

The New Yorker

That leads, as one editorial writer noted this week, to "congest and confound".

The Economist

One thing that is striking about the M.I.T. research into "social-tie density," though, is what it says about... Apparently it can congest the "superlinear scaling," or increasingly rising productivity, that would ordinarily take place in cities as they become more packed.

The New York Times

He'll need to congest because middle linebacker Jonathan Goff offers little playmaking flair.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

A map with an alternative route to work if the roads are congested.

The Guardian - Business

That the table is so congested after the opening seven rounds, with no team really cut adrift at the foot of the table, makes things even more captivating.

The Guardian - Sport

Cities like Beijing and Shenzhen are congested, faring worse on IBM's "commuter pain" index than Delhi or Nairobi (see left-hand chart).

The Economist

The region has worrying imbalances at a macro level, and over the past ten years has failed to reform sclerotic public administration, calcified higher education, and congested infrastructure.Only flyweight Slovenia has joined the euro, and the "halo effect" created by the expectation that others will join soon is fading.

The Economist

Several parts of the Tube network are congested: Victoria station routinely closes because of overcrowding, and the Northern line is packed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing traffic situations, use "congest" to accurately convey the sense of overcrowding and impedance.

Common error

Avoid using "congest" when describing abstract concepts that do not involve physical blockage or overcrowding. Instead, opt for words like "complicate" or "hinder".

Linguistic Context

Congest functions primarily as a verb, describing the action of becoming overly full or blocked. Ludwig AI validates this usage. For example, phrases like "congest the streets" highlight its action-oriented role.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academic

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "congest" is a grammatically correct verb primarily used to describe situations of overcrowding or blockage, as validated by Ludwig AI. While its usage is relatively rare, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When writing, use "congest" to effectively convey the idea of something becoming overly full and obstructed, particularly in traffic or physical spaces. Be mindful not to misuse it in abstract contexts where other words like "complicate" are more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clog

This alternative suggests a narrower or more specific type of blockage.

obstruct

This alternative is a formal and direct way of saying to block or impede.

block up

This alternative emphasizes the act of creating a blockage or obstruction.

overcrowd

This alternative focuses on the aspect of excessive population or filling a space.

impede

This alternative conveys the meaning of hindering or slowing down progress.

choke

This alternative implies a severe form of blockage, often restricting flow or movement.

restrict

This alternative highlights limiting movement or access.

fill up

This alternative suggests completely occupying a space, potentially leading to congestion.

become overloaded

This alternative highlights the state of being burdened beyond capacity.

get jammed

This alternative is an informal way of describing something becoming stuck or blocked.

FAQs

How can I use "congest" in a sentence about traffic?

You can say, "The accident on the highway "congests" the flow of traffic during rush hour".

What's a good alternative to using "congest" in a medical context?

Instead of "congest", consider using "obstruct" or "block" to describe the flow of fluids or air in the body.

Is it correct to use "congest" when talking about emotional issues?

While possible, it's more common to use other words. For emotional issues, consider alternatives such as "overwhelm" or "burden".

How does "congest" differ from "clog"?

"Congest" typically refers to a general state of overcrowding or blockage, while "clog" implies a more specific and often complete obstruction, such as a pipe being clogged with debris.