NRTC English: The language of traffic

Today, we’re going to dive into the fascinating world of traffic—the bane of our existence and a constant companion (especially for people who live in Lagos) on our roads. Traffic is a word we use every day, but do we really know how to use it correctly?

Often times, one hears people say “I was held in traffic.” While this sentence might not be entirely wrong, it’s more commonly expressed as “I was caught in traffic” or “I got stuck in traffic.”

Traffic cannot take ‘a’ before it; so, it is erroneous to say “I was caught in a traffic or “I got stuck in a traffic.”

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Traffic is a noncount noun. It refers to the movement of vehicles, pedestrians, or any form of transportation on a road or in a specific area. It’s like a living, breathing entity that can either flow smoothly or grind to a frustrating halt.

Well, it’s not just about cars stuck bumper to bumper or the endless honking of horns.

However, someone can be stuck in a traffic jam. A traffic jam refers to a situation where vehicles are lined up and unable to move due to a blockage or a bottleneck. “We were stuck in a terrible traffic jam for two hours on our way to the airport.”

Again, when there is much/heavy traffic (not, many/plenty traffic, nor many traffics), Lagosians are wont to say “The traffic is standing.” Traffic doesn’t have legs, my friends. Instead, say “The traffic is at a standstill” or “The traffic is not moving.” That way, you’ll sound like a true language pro.

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It is also erroneous to say “There is traffic on my way.” The correct usage is “There is traffic on my route” or “There is heavy traffic on the road I take to work.” Remember, traffic is on a route or a road, not on a personal way.

Remember, when it comes to traffic, it’s not just about enduring it; it’s about expressing our experiences accurately and vividly.

So, the next time you find yourself in a traffic jam, don’t just mutter a simple “traffic.” Spice up your conversations with collocations like heavy traffic, or even traffic congestion. And, of course, steer clear of those common errors I discussed.