passing traffic

USAGE SUMMARY

"passing traffic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to vehicles that are travelling on the road, such as cars, buses, etc. For example: "We had to wait a few minutes before we could cross the street because of the passing traffic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It also monitors passing traffic.

MIT Technology Review

The splashing water camouflages the sound of passing traffic.

The New York Times

I remember hearing screams, shouts and passing traffic.

The New York Times

The banners flap so violently in the winds of passing traffic as to be almost illegible.

The New York Times

A roadside property offers the possibility of selling goods and services to passing traffic.

The Economist

Glass microfabricated substrates are bonded within an open room environment exposed to passing traffic.

Stanford University

It allows performance of operations with minimum interference on passing traffic.

Automation in Construction

Children there lined the street desperately begging for donations from passing traffic.

The New York Times

In the background, the rush of passing traffic could be heard.

The Washington Post

Flag-sellers wave their leftovers at passing traffic: half-price flags, but nobody stops.

The Guardian - Opinion

And he did it on the now notorious Court Four, small and rammed with passing traffic.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of a location on a business, use "passing traffic" to emphasize the potential for visibility and customer acquisition.

Common error

While both phrases relate to vehicles in motion, "passing traffic" functions as a noun phrase, describing the traffic itself. "Traffic passing" is a gerund phrase acting as a noun, and can be used when emphasizing the act of vehicles moving past a specific point. Choose the form that best fits your sentence structure and intended emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "passing traffic" is as a noun phrase, typically functioning as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes the vehicles moving along a road, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "passing traffic" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe vehicles moving along a road. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves primarily to depict the movement of vehicles, often in contexts related to location, noise, or visibility. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for a wide range of communications, from news reports to academic discussions. While alternatives like "oncoming vehicles" or "road traffic" exist, "passing traffic" is widely understood and accepted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vehicles on the road

A straightforward description of traffic present on a road.

street traffic

Specifies that the traffic is on a street, implying urban context.

road traffic

A more general term, referring to all vehicles using a road.

through traffic

Highlights the traffic that is going to continue along a certain road or highway

highway traffic

Traffic that uses a highway

vehicular traffic

A more formal way of saying road traffic.

traffic flow

The rate at which vehicles pass a point on a road or highway

oncoming vehicles

Focuses specifically on vehicles approaching from the opposite direction.

flow of traffic

Emphasizes the continuous movement of vehicles.

moving vehicles

Highlights the vehicles' movement rather than their position relative to the observer.

FAQs

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

You can use "passing traffic" to describe the vehicles moving along a road, like in "The noise from the passing traffic kept me awake all night" or "The store relies on "passing trade" from the highway".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "passing traffic"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "oncoming vehicles", "road traffic", or "vehicles on the road" as alternatives to "passing traffic".

Is "passing traffic" formal or informal?

"Passing traffic" is generally considered a neutral term, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of your writing.

What does "passing traffic" mean?

"Passing traffic" refers to vehicles that are moving along a road or street, implying a sense of transience or movement past a specific point or location.