steady stream of traffic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "steady stream of traffic" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase to describe a busy road or highway. For example, "The interstate was filled with a steady stream of traffic during rush hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

During lulls in the fighting, there is often a steady stream of traffic passing through the front lines.

The New York Times - Magazine

After the Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883, a steady stream of traffic traveled over the great stone structure linking Lower Manhattan to Brooklyn.

The New York Times

On the way, we left the steady stream of traffic on the highway at the village of Mojstrana and entered the Vrata Valley.

The New York Times - Travel

Several are rented out for wedding receptions or society balls, which makes for a steady stream of traffic — and occasionally, "fireworks," Ms. Paris said with a shudder.

The New York Times - Arts

For much of the film, Mr. Hitchcock performs standing with his back to a window, through which a steady stream of traffic can be glimpsed.

The New York Times

Others seem to agree: On both my visits — one on a weeknight, the other on a weekend — there was a crowd in the downstairs dining room, a respectable gathering at the sidewalk tables and a steady stream of traffic up and down the stairs to the second dining room.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"Our Trafigura story and Charlie Brooker's column on Jan Moir a few days later highlighted the way stories can grow and propagate through Twitter and Facebook with steady streams of traffic being driven by these social media channels," said Emily Bell, director of digital content at GNM. "Guardian.co.uk then provided the perfect space for readers to add their comments and opinions".

The Guardian

The deep water of this coniferous coastline has already given the city's port a steady stream of shipping traffic.

The New York Times

There's a steady stream of bike traffic at rush-hour over the bridges from Brooklyn, but in Manhattan itself there's little of the massed ranks you get in London at intersections, morning and night.

The Guardian

Whenever space became available, they would move patients from the west side, with the view of the plain wall, to the coveted east side, where light bounces off the waves of the East River and a steady stream of boat traffic passes Roosevelt Island.

The New York Times

The Cannabis Culture dispensary in downtown Toronto gets a steady stream of foot traffic around noon on a weekday.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing traffic conditions, use "steady stream of traffic" to convey a sense of continuous, but not necessarily congested, flow. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "steady stream of traffic" when describing pedestrian movement or data flow. While technically applicable, more specific terms like "constant flow of people" or "continuous data stream" are generally preferred for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steady stream of traffic" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical use. For instance, "During lulls in the fighting, there is often a steady stream of traffic passing through the front lines."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "steady stream of traffic" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe continuous vehicle movement. Ludwig AI supports its validity. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, academic writing, and scientific reports. While versatile, it's best to use more specific language when describing pedestrian or data flows. Alternatives include "constant flow of vehicles" or "uninterrupted flow of traffic", depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constant flow of vehicles

Replaces "stream" with "flow" and specifies "vehicles" for clarity.

continuous movement of cars

Substitutes "stream" with "movement" and specifies "cars" instead of traffic.

uninterrupted flow of traffic

Emphasizes the lack of interruption in the traffic flow.

regular passage of vehicles

Uses "passage" to indicate movement and specifies "vehicles".

consistent procession of cars

Employs "procession" to suggest an orderly movement of "cars".

nonstop flow of vehicles

Highlights the continuous and uninterrupted nature of the traffic.

incessant movement of traffic

Stresses the unceasing nature of the traffic.

perpetual motion of cars

Indicates that the motion of cars never stops.

unremitting progression of vehicles

Highlights the lack of stopping in the movement of "vehicles".

constant parade of vehicles

Replaces flow with "parade" suggesting a regular and ordered flow of vehicles.

FAQs

How can I use "steady stream of traffic" in a sentence?

You can use "steady stream of traffic" to describe a road or highway that has a continuous flow of vehicles. For example, "Despite the early hour, there was already a "steady stream of traffic" on the interstate."

What's a good alternative to "steady stream of traffic"?

Alternatives include "constant flow of vehicles", "continuous movement of cars", or "uninterrupted flow of traffic" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "steady stream of cars" instead of "steady stream of traffic"?

Yes, "steady stream of cars" is grammatically correct and can be used as a more specific alternative to "steady stream of traffic", especially when you want to emphasize the type of vehicles involved.

What is the difference between "steady stream of traffic" and "heavy traffic"?

"Steady stream of traffic" implies a continuous but manageable flow of vehicles, while "heavy traffic" suggests a higher volume of vehicles, potentially leading to congestion and slower speeds.