dense crowds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dense crowds" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a large number of people gathered closely together in a specific area. For example, "The festival attracted dense crowds, making it difficult to move through the streets." Alternative expressions include "thick crowds" and "packed crowds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Today the dense crowds pressed into the Basilica in an uninterrupted flow.

The New York Times

They are pleasantly surprised by the neighborhood, away from the dense crowds and tourists of Midtown.

The New York Times

Both captivated journalists, grabbed picture editors' attention and brought dense crowds in Piccadilly to voluble ecstasy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Forget about dense crowds and long lines, or steep entry fees and high parking prices.

The New York Times - Travel

Dense crowds pressing against the spectator fences joined in a rhythmic chanting of Zanardi's name — "A-lex!

The New York Times - Sports

A video posted online shows dense crowds pushing to get down a low staircase, causing some people at the front to topple under the weight of the crowd.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Therefore, look for a dense crowd".

The New Yorker

After a parade, he walked through a dense crowd, spurning police protection.

The New Yorker

And, by the end of the show, an exceptionally dense crowd had gathered in Shaftesbury Avenue.

The Guardian

They blatantly ignored me, forcing me to awkwardly walk my bike through the dense crowd.

The New York Times

Knox's family left court in tears and fought their way through the dense crowd.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific or urban planning contexts, pair this phrase with verbs like "navigate", "monitor" or "disperse" to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "dense" to modify individuals (e.g., "dense people") when you mean to describe their concentration. In English, "dense people" is often an insult meaning "unintelligent". Always ensure "dense" modifies the collective noun "crowds" or "population".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dense crowds" functions as a noun phrase typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It combines the adjective "dense" (denoting high mass or concentration) with the plural noun "crowds". According to Ludwig, it is often used with verbs of movement such as "pushing", "navigating" or "pressing".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dense crowds" is a robust and versatile linguistic tool used to describe high concentrations of people. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence in top-tier journalism and scientific research, where it is used to discuss everything from holiday travel and festivals to tragedy and crowd dynamics. Unlike more generic terms like "large crowds", this phrase emphasizes the physical lack of space and proximity between individuals. It is grammatically correct, stylistically neutral and essential for writers who need to convey a sense of crowdedness with precision and authority.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

packed crowds

Emphasizes the lack of physical space more strongly than density.

thick crowds

A more visual and slightly less formal synonym for density.

shoulder-to-shoulder throngs

Highly evocative and descriptive of extreme physical proximity.

teeming multitudes

Adds a more literary and historical tone to the description.

swarming masses

Implies chaotic or constant movement within the group.

congested areas

Shifts the focus from the people themselves to the location they occupy.

concentrated gatherings

A more clinical and neutral way to describe a localized group.

heavy foot traffic

Focuses on the flow and movement of people rather than a static crowd.

overcrowded spaces

Introduces a negative connotation regarding safety or capacity.

compact groups

Suggests smaller but tightly organized clusters of people.

FAQs

How do I use "dense crowds" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe physical proximity, such as: "The emergency services struggled to reach the injured through the "dense crowds" at the festival."

What is the difference between "dense crowds" and "large crowds"?

While "large crowds" refers to the total number of people, "dense crowds" specifically describes how closely they are packed together in a space.

Can I say "thick crowds" instead?

Yes, "thick crowds" is a common and acceptable alternative, though it is slightly more informal than "dense crowds".

Is "dense crowds" appropriate for formal reports?

Absolutely. It is frequently found in scientific journals and formal news reports to describe urban congestion and social dynamics.