Grammar fix
heavy traffic
a lot of cars on the road
When there are a large number of vehicles on the road, making it slow or difficult to travel.
collocationB1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
There was heavy traffic on the way to work this morning, so I arrived late.
In my city, heavy traffic is a common problem during rush hour, especially on the main roads.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: There was a strong traffic on the way.
Say: There was heavy traffic on the way.
Traffic is 'heavy', not 'strong' or 'big'. (Light traffic = the opposite.)
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Heavy traffic' is the standard collocation; 'high density of vehicular congestion' is officialese.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
heavy traffic
- heavy traffic
- stuck in traffic
- rush-hour traffic
- traffic jam