thick traffic

USAGE SUMMARY

"thick traffic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation when there is a lot of traffic. For example, "We encountered thick traffic on the way to the mall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

But thick traffic and bad weather were probably more realistic than, say, a track.

The New York Times

He vied for every centimeter of roadway in thick traffic and sped as fast as possible when congestion eased.

The New York Times - Travel

Now, driving home in the thick traffic a few weeks later, I peered out the front window as Ruth sat next to me, having removed the uncomfortable wig after we left her radiation treatment.

The New York Times

Instead, she threaded her way through thick traffic to her mother, Kamlesh, who on a recent rainy day was carrying one of Rohini's sisters, a toddler with a cloudy eye and a disturbingly quiet demeanor.

The New York Times

The growth has driven up housing prices at a time when states, led by California, are seeking to slow suburban development to meet environmental goals undermined by long commutes and thick traffic.

The Washington Post

Thick traffic and potholed roads mean that an otherwise quick drive is a 40-minute journey, one in which hundreds of rickshaws and cars jamming the streets give way to swaying fields of mustard plants.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

In city after city, from New York to San Francisco to Seattle, already-thick traffic has gotten even more congested.

Huffington Post

Hours earlier, Davis had been navigating dense traffic in Lahore, his thick frame wedged into the driver's seat of a white Honda Civic.

The New York Times - Magazine

Thus far the sites have not been thick with traffic.

The Economist

Dubai's roads, usually thick with traffic at this time of year, are now mostly clear.

The New York Times

THE roads are thick with traffic and pavements throng with hawkers selling phonecards, sunglasses and leather sandals.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing traffic conditions, consider using "thick traffic" to convey a sense of heavy congestion and slow movement. It's particularly effective in narrative or descriptive contexts to paint a vivid picture for the reader.

Common error

While "thick traffic" is widely understood, avoid using it excessively in formal reports or technical documents. Opt for more precise and professional terms like "high traffic volume" or "severe congestion" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thick traffic" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. It combines the adjective "thick" to modify the noun "traffic", indicating a high density or volume of vehicles. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Thick traffic" is a commonly used phrase that describes heavily congested road conditions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for both informal and news contexts. When writing, remember to consider more formal alternatives like "high traffic volume" or "severe congestion" for professional or technical documents. The phrase is frequently found in news sources and general media, effectively conveying a sense of congestion and slow movement to the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heavy traffic flow

Replaces "thick" with "heavy" and "traffic" with "traffic flow", both emphasizing the volume of vehicles.

dense traffic conditions

Substitutes "thick" with "dense" and "traffic" with "traffic conditions", altering the wording while maintaining the core meaning.

congested roadways

Uses "congested" to describe the condition of the roadways, indicating a high level of traffic.

bumper-to-bumper traffic

A more descriptive phrase indicating very slow and crowded traffic conditions.

slow-moving traffic

Focuses on the speed of the traffic rather than the density, implying congestion.

gridlocked streets

Indicates a complete standstill in traffic, often used for extreme congestion.

jammed thoroughfare

Describes a main road or street that is heavily congested with traffic.

high-density traffic

A more formal way of describing a large amount of traffic in a specific area.

intense vehicular congestion

A more formal and technical description of heavy traffic.

heavy road traffic

Reorders the phrase and replaces 'traffic' with 'road traffic', while emphasizing the volume of vehicles.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "thick traffic" in a sentence?

"Thick traffic" is best used to describe roads with heavy congestion and slow-moving vehicles. For instance, you could say, "The morning commute was worsened by "thick traffic" on the highway".

What are some alternatives to "thick traffic"?

Instead of "thick traffic", consider using phrases like "heavy traffic", "dense traffic", or "bumper-to-bumper traffic" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "thick traffic" formal or informal?

"Thick traffic" is generally considered to be neutral in tone and can be used in both informal and news contexts. For more formal writing, consider using "high traffic volume" or "severe congestion".

What does "thick traffic" imply about the traffic conditions?

"Thick traffic" suggests that the traffic is not only heavy in volume but also moving very slowly, indicating a significant level of congestion that can cause delays and frustration for drivers.