traffic jam

USAGE SUMMARY

'traffic jam' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when referring to a group of vehicles that are stopped or moving slowly due to congestion on a road or highway. Example: I was late to work this morning because of the traffic jam on the way to the office.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"No traffic jam . . .

The New Yorker

Explains loudly about traffic jam.

The New Yorker

I love this traffic jam.

The New Yorker

A traffic jam?

The New York Times

Wham, bam, traffic jam.

The New York Times

Dave Mason's Traffic Jam, rock.

The New York Times

A traffic jam clogged the narrow entrance.

The New York Times

Fuming in a traffic jam?

The Guardian

Then came a traffic jam.

The Guardian - Books

A traffic jam, or worse.

The New Yorker

STUCK in a Moscow traffic jam?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "traffic jam" to clearly and concisely describe situations where vehicle movement is significantly impeded or halted due to high traffic volume or obstructions. This term is universally understood and applicable in most contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "traffic jam" to describe situations of moderately slow traffic. Reserve it for instances where the traffic is severely impeded or completely stopped, to accurately convey the degree of congestion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "traffic jam" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence to denote a situation involving severely slowed or stopped vehicular movement. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Academia

9%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "traffic jam" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe severely congested traffic conditions. As Ludwig AI indicates, it fits seamlessly into various sentence structures as a noun phrase. Predominantly used in News & Media, the term conveys a clear and concise picture of impeded vehicular movement. While alternatives like "traffic congestion" or "road congestion" exist for more formal settings, "traffic jam" remains widely accepted. Remember to use this phrase when traffic is significantly slowed or stopped to ensure accurate communication and avoid overstating moderately slow traffic conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

traffic congestion

Replaces "jam" with "congestion", emphasizing the state of being crowded and blocked with traffic.

road congestion

Focuses on the road itself being congested, similar to a traffic jam.

gridlock

Implies a complete standstill of traffic, a more severe form of a traffic jam.

traffic bottleneck

Highlights the point of restriction causing the traffic jam.

bumper-to-bumper traffic

Describes the physical closeness of vehicles in a traffic jam.

road closure

Indicates a more permanent blockage leading to traffic delays.

vehicular congestion

Uses more formal language to describe the crowding of vehicles.

standstill traffic

Emphasizes the lack of movement in the traffic.

heavy traffic

Describes a large volume of traffic, potentially leading to a jam.

traffic snarl

Suggests a tangled and difficult-to-resolve traffic situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "traffic jam" to describe a situation on a road where vehicles are moving very slowly or not at all. For example, "I was late to the meeting because I got stuck in a "traffic jam" on the highway."

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

Alternatives include "traffic congestion", "road congestion", or simply "heavy traffic", depending on the specific context and severity of the situation.

Is "traffic jam" a formal or informal expression?

"Traffic jam" is generally considered a neutral term, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might prefer "traffic congestion".

What causes a "traffic jam"?

A "traffic jam" can be caused by various factors, including accidents, road work, high traffic volume during peak hours, or even unusual events like parades or demonstrations. These all lead to "road closures".