dense population

USAGE SUMMARY

"dense population" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe areas in which a high number of people live in a relatively small area. For example, "New York City has one of the most dense populations in the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a very dense population.

The New York Times

It also requires a dense population.

The Economist

Chaga land and cultivation methods support a very dense population.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It forces candidates to campaign throughout the country, rather than only in dense population centers.

The New York Times

"London has the most dense population in Europe and has the highest visibility of doubledecker buses.

The Guardian

But with its wide streets, dense population and a tradition of bus travel, Bogotá had the ingredients for success.

The New York Times

New York's dense population, still suffering from the Sept. 11 attacks, should not be subjected to needless risks and worries.

The New York Times

But over the six decades the lab has been on Long Island, a dense population has crowded around it.

The New York Times

It helps to have a dense population of young artists competing for greatness.

The New York Times

Because of the dense population and faulty sanitation, tuberculosis and asthma are common.

The New York Times

Interior basins of the range, though isolated, have both fertile soils and dense population.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing population distribution, use "dense population" to objectively indicate a high concentration of people in a specific area. Provide context by specifying the geographical boundaries or comparing densities to other regions.

Common error

Avoid using "dense population" when you actually mean a large overall population. Density refers to the number of people per unit area, not the total number of people. For example, a large country can have a large population but not necessarily a "dense population".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dense population" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes the characteristic of a particular region or area, indicating a high concentration of inhabitants, as demonstrated in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

24%

Science

22%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dense population" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe areas with a high concentration of people. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various contexts, from news reports and encyclopedias to scientific articles. While alternatives like "heavily populated area" or "high population density" exist, "dense population" remains a straightforward and versatile choice. Just remember to focus on density per unit area rather than overall population size when using this phrase. The high frequency and diverse source types highlight its relevance in contemporary communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

area of high population density

A more formal and technical way of expressing the same concept

concentrated population

Focuses on the population being gathered in a small space.

compact population

Implies a population that is tightly packed together.

heavily populated area

Focuses on the area being populated, emphasizing the quantity of the population

highly populated region

Similar to heavily populated, but region suggests a broader geographic scope

overpopulated area

Suggests that the population density is unsustainable or undesirable

crowded urban center

Specifically refers to an urban area with high population density

congested metropolitan area

Emphasizes the problems associated with a high population density, such as traffic

populous urban environment

Similar to crowded urban center, but the addition of the word environment adds nuance.

urban sprawl

Describes the expansion of a city's population outwards, possibly including more than one city in the region

FAQs

How is "dense population" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "dense population" is usually used to describe a region or area with a high concentration of people. For example, "Hong Kong is known for its "highly dense population"".

What are some alternatives to saying "dense population"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "heavily populated area", "high population density", or "overpopulated area".

Is it correct to say "densely populated" instead of "dense population"?

Yes, "densely populated" is a correct and commonly used alternative. "Dense population" is a noun phrase, while "densely populated" is an adjective phrase that modifies a noun (e.g., "densely populated area").

What factors contribute to a "dense population"?

Factors such as economic opportunities, fertile land, historical significance, and strategic location often contribute to a "dense population". For example, coastal cities often have "concentrated population" due to trade and resources.