few traffic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "few traffic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a low amount of traffic, or an area with very little traffic. For example: "I went for a walk in the park today, and there was very few traffic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

A few traffic cops appeared at intersections.

The New York Times

Only a few traffic policemen stood along the funeral route.

The New York Times

The United States has very few traffic circles, or roundabouts.

The New York Times

You might have a few safety concerns and envision a few traffic headaches.

The New York Times - Arts

The city has few traffic lights or cameras; hence the awful congestion.

The Economist

His previous record showed only a few traffic violations and bad checks.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

A 2009 University of Virginia report demonstrates that higher density leads to few traffic-related deaths.

HuffPost

Murder and accidental death rates are high, as are suicides, and very few trafficking victims are rescued or escape.

Wikipedia

For a few traffic-related air pollutants, animal experiments have reported effects of maternal exposure on fetal growth (Rocha et al. 2008).

Environmental Health Perspectives

There would be fewer traffic complications on July 8.

The New York Times - Sports

An added bonus: fewer traffic accidents, injuries and deaths.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing road conditions, use "few traffic" to indicate a situation where there are not many vehicles present, which might suggest easier driving or walking conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "little traffic" when referring to countable instances of vehicles; "few traffic" is generally more appropriate because "few" is used with countable nouns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "few traffic" functions as a determiner and noun combination. It modifies an implied noun (e.g. roads, streets) to indicate a small quantity or low density of vehicles.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "few traffic" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression to describe a low volume of vehicles. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is typically found in news reports, scientific articles, and general discussions. While technically referring to countable instances, it's vital to avoid confusion with the usage of "little" for uncountable nouns. Remember to consider alternatives like "light traffic", "minimal traffic" or "sparse traffic" to add variety to your writing and improve clarity, and keep in mind that the most appropriate choice depends on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Light traffic volume

This alternative specifies that the traffic is low in terms of volume.

Low traffic density

This alternative describes the traffic as being sparse or spread out.

Minimal traffic flow

This alternative emphasizes the reduced rate at which traffic is moving.

Sparse traffic conditions

This alternative highlights the infrequency of vehicles on the road.

Limited vehicular activity

This is a formal way of saying that there are few vehicles on the road.

Reduced traffic congestion

This alternative focuses on the alleviation of traffic jams.

Infrequent traffic

This alternative emphasizes the rare occurrence of vehicles.

Scant traffic

This alternative indicates that there is a very small amount of traffic.

Hardly any traffic

This alternative uses a more colloquial expression to indicate very little traffic.

A trickle of traffic

This alternative paints a picture of a very small and slow-moving stream of vehicles.

FAQs

How can I use "few traffic" in a sentence?

You can use "few traffic" to describe a situation where there are not many cars on the road. For example, "There was "little traffic" on the highway this morning, so I arrived early".

What are some alternatives to saying "few traffic"?

Alternatives to "few traffic" include "light traffic", "minimal traffic", or "sparse traffic". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "less traffic" instead of "few traffic"?

While "less traffic" is commonly used, "few traffic" is grammatically more precise when referring to the number of vehicles. "Less" is typically used for uncountable nouns, while "few" is for countable nouns.

What does it mean when someone says there is "few traffic"?

It indicates that there are not many vehicles on the road, implying a smoother commute or easier passage compared to situations with heavy traffic.