wave of traffic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wave of traffic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large volume of vehicles or online users moving in a particular direction, often during a specific time period. Example: "During rush hour, there was a wave of traffic that made it difficult to get to work on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The blockades set off a wave of traffic chaos.

The New York Times

Amid the tidal wave of traffic, piercing the cacophony with their yelps and whistles, stood the Pepsi bottle boys.

The New York Times

Afghan Boys Eke Living Amid Peril at Gorge Amid the tidal wave of traffic, piercing the cacophony with their yelps and whistles, stand the Pepsi bottle boys.

The New York Times

Like everywhere in the city, the street is full of honking scooters, carrying riders somewhere or, it often seems, nowhere except into the next wave of traffic.

The New York Times

The blockades caused an initial wave of traffic chaos, which subsided slightly today as taxi drivers' unions called on their members to stop the unofficial demonstrations.

The New York Times

On Sept. 11, within minutes of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the question was not whether the Internet could handle the sudden wave of traffic, but whether the servers -- the computers that deliver content to anyone who requests it by clicking on a Web link -- were up to the task.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

A tiny Alamo of a dozen houses has, over a century, held out against apartment construction, waves of traffic and the wreck of the prettiest of all at the bottom of the row.

The New York Times

Taxis, which at first blush seem so fast and cheap, get caught in unexpected waves of traffic, and the Subte, or subway, so efficient at whisking people to and from the city center, is worthless if you need to go across town.

The New York Times - Travel

This place for all intents and purposes is nothing more or less than a Gilded, Swag-heavy Cage Match with sand and one hard to reach ocean (you tend to surf waves of traffic most of the time).

Huffington Post

It has already been blamed for a wave of crimes, traffic violations and complaints in cities around the globe.

The Guardian

The mobile phone game – which overlays the creatures on real-world settings – has already been blamed for a wave of crimes, traffic violations and complaints in cities around the globe.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing sudden increases in traffic, consider using "wave of traffic" to paint a vivid picture of the situation, whether it's physical vehicles or online data.

Common error

Avoid using "wave of traffic" when describing consistent, low-volume traffic. This phrase is best suited for sudden and noticeable increases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wave of traffic" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing traffic congestion and website visitor surges.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Tech

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wave of traffic" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a sudden increase in traffic volume, whether physical or digital. As supported by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across diverse contexts, including news reports, technical blogs, and scientific discussions. Alternatives like ""surge of traffic"" or ""influx of traffic"" can be used to convey similar meanings. When using the phrase, ensure that the context accurately reflects a noticeable and temporary surge, and avoid using it for consistent, low-volume traffic. The phrase is deemed appropriate and understandable in a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surge of traffic

Replaces "wave" with "surge", emphasizing a sudden increase.

influx of traffic

Substitutes "wave" with "influx", highlighting the arrival of a large quantity.

upsurge in traffic

Similar to "surge", but conveys a more unexpected or abrupt increase.

increase in traffic

Uses a more general term "increase" instead of "wave", focusing on the rise in traffic volume.

spike in traffic

Indicates a sharp, temporary increase.

rush of traffic

Implies a hurried or rapid movement of traffic.

deluge of traffic

Emphasizes an overwhelming amount of traffic, like a flood.

stream of traffic

Suggests a continuous flow rather than a sudden surge.

glut of traffic

Suggests an excessive supply of traffic, often causing congestion.

buildup of traffic

Highlights the accumulation or congestion of traffic.

FAQs

How can I use "wave of traffic" in a sentence?

You can use "wave of traffic" to describe a sudden increase in the number of vehicles on a road, such as, "The accident caused a huge "wave of traffic" on the highway".

What is a good alternative to "wave of traffic"?

Alternatives include "surge of traffic", "influx of traffic", or "increase in traffic", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a traffic wave" instead of "wave of traffic"?

While "traffic wave" is sometimes used in technical contexts (like traffic flow theory), ""wave of traffic"" is more common for general descriptions of increased traffic volume.

What does "wave of traffic" mean in the context of a website?

In the context of a website, ""wave of traffic"" refers to a sudden and large increase in the number of visitors to the site, often due to a marketing campaign or viral event.