Traffic, Gridlock, Jam, Congestion, Tailback

Traffic, Gridlock, Jam, Congestion, Tailback

Hello English learners! Today, we will discuss transport-related vocabulary that is regularly used to describe irritating road conditions: traffic, gridlock, jam, congestion, tailback. Having these words at your fingertips will make it simple for you to handle conversations about commuting, city travel, and delays. Whether you’re stuck in the rush-hour traffic or reading a news article about road congestion, these words are a must when discussing transport issues smoothly. Let’s examine what they mean and how to use them effectively!

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Traffic

Meaning: movement of vehicles, pedestrians, or goods along roads, streets, or other transport channels.

• The morning traffic was so terrible that I arrived late at work. Traffic, Gridlock, Jam, Congestion, Tailback
• Authorities are implementing new measures to reduce traffic congestion in the city centre.
• The website experienced a surge in traffic after the company launched its new product.

Gridlock

Meaning: a place where traffic comes to a standstill due to congestion, often at intersections or in cities.

• The unexpected closure of the road led to gridlock throughout the downtown area.
• Political gridlock within the legislature delayed the passage of essential legislation.
• The city needs additional infrastructure to prevent gridlock while driving during rush hour.

Jam

Meaning: a place where movement is restricted due to crowding, usually for traffic but also for other purposes.

• We were stuck in a traffic jam for over an hour on the highway.
• The printer clogged as a result of a paper jam. Traffic, Gridlock, Jam, Congestion, Tailback
• The musicians improvised an unplanned jam session at the café.

Congestion

Meaning: overcrowding or abnormal clustering, generally of traffic, medical issues, or overcrowded areas.

• The congestion in the main road made commuting unbearable.
• She had a drug to relieve her nasal congestion.
• The airport was also congested due to holiday traffic.

Tailback

Meaning: a queue of slow-moving or idling cars due to heavy traffic or a road block.

• There were miles of tailback due to a serious crash on the motorway. 
• The tailback at the toll plaza made our journey quite slow.
• Motorists were irritated by the tailback caused by roadworks near the city centre.

Traffic, Gridlock, Jam, Congestion, Tailback

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