traffic permitting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "traffic permitting" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that an action or event is contingent upon traffic conditions being favorable. Example: "We will leave for the concert at 6 PM, traffic permitting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I collect a work colleague and, traffic permitting, we arrive at work just before nine.

The Guardian

Maplewood is around 20 miles west of lower Manhattan, a drive of 35 to 45 minutes, traffic permitting, via Interstate 78 and the Holland Tunnel.

The New York Times

Scotch Plains is about 26 miles southwest of Lower Manhattan, a trip of about 50 minutes by car, traffic permitting, via Interstate 78 and the Holland Tunnel.

The New York Times

Every December he comes back to South Africa, and though he never did like cycling in a group sometimes I hook up with him and we go all round Guateng, the area around Johannesburg – traffic permitting.

The Guardian - Sport

It is so much cheaper here than in central Shanghai, he says and, traffic permitting, it is only an hour away by car.President Xi Jinping may be having a Chinese dream, but the country's city planners are often inspired by foreign examples.

The Economist

Then, with traffic permitting, one could catch Tap Dogs, the Australian tap-rock group that presents its high-voltage contemporary dance at 7 p.m. at Tilles Center on the C. W. Post campus of Long Isand University in Brookville [phone].

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Source indicator variables were grouped into six emission indicator-based categories: total traffic density, truck and bus traffic, permitted combustion-related emissions from point sources, built space density, population density, non-combustion permitted emissions (solvent use, petroleum/chemical bulk storage).

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

However, this is an approximation only due to the many factors beyond their control such as weather, traffic, permitted re-routes, and availability of marina operations for loading and offloading schedules.

WikiHow

"At no time did we know or were we made aware that there might have been arms trafficking permitted," Morales, Mexico's highest-ranking law enforcement official, said in a recent interview.

Los Angeles Times

So, as soon as traffic permits, I get out of the passing lane.

The New York Times

When he is summoned to pick up somebody who has just suffered a heart attack or stroke, Mr. Srirangaiah speeds to the given address as fast as traffic permits.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "traffic permitting" to concisely indicate that a planned action or estimated time is dependent on current traffic conditions. This adds a realistic disclaimer to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "traffic permitting" when the event will occur regardless of traffic. The phrase implies a direct dependency on traffic conditions being favorable for the event to proceed as planned.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "traffic permitting" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the main clause by introducing a condition based on the state of traffic. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and used to express contingency.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "traffic permitting" is a grammatically sound and practical way to express that a statement's validity depends on favorable traffic conditions. While not exceedingly common, as Ludwig highlights, it appears frequently in news and media, offering a concise way to qualify predictions and plans. Alternatives include "if traffic allows" or "depending on traffic", providing similar meaning with slight variations in formality. By using "traffic permitting", you're adding a touch of realism, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of modern commutes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if traffic allows

Replaces "permitting" with "allows", creating a more direct conditional statement.

depending on traffic

Uses a present participle to indicate reliance on traffic conditions.

provided traffic is light

Specifies a more favorable traffic condition (light traffic) as the requirement.

assuming traffic cooperates

Employs a more casual and personified view of traffic.

contingent on traffic flow

More formally specifies that the event depends on the state of traffic flow.

subject to traffic conditions

Expresses dependence using a more formal and standard phrase.

if there are no traffic delays

Focuses on the absence of delays as the determining factor.

road conditions allowing

Broader term that includes traffic and other road related impediment, in place of traffic alone.

traffic willing

Similar to "assuming traffic cooperates", using personification of traffic.

as long as traffic isn't bad

More informal expression indicating that the action will occur if traffic is acceptable.

FAQs

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

Use "traffic permitting" to indicate that a plan or expectation depends on favorable traffic conditions. For example, "We should arrive by 5 PM, "traffic permitting"".

What's a more formal alternative to "traffic permitting"?

A more formal alternative would be "subject to traffic conditions" or "contingent on traffic flow", which provide a similar meaning in a more professional context.

What can I say instead of "traffic permitting" in a casual context?

In a casual context, you could say "if traffic allows" or "depending on traffic". These alternatives are less formal but convey the same meaning.

Is "traffic permitting" grammatically correct?

Yes, "traffic permitting" is grammatically correct. It functions as an absolute construction, modifying the entire sentence by expressing a condition. Ludwig AI confirms this.