I spent an hour in traffic vs I spent an hour in a traffic

The correct phrase is 'I spent an hour in traffic.' The use of 'a' before 'traffic' is incorrect in this context. 'Traffic' is an uncountable noun and does not require an article before it.

Last updated: March 15, 2024 • 1514 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"I spent an hour in traffic"

This phrase is used to indicate the amount of time someone was stuck in traffic.

Examples:

I spent an hour in traffic trying to get to work.
She spent an hour in traffic on her way to the airport.
They spent an hour in traffic due to the accident.
He spent an hour in traffic because of the road closure.
We spent an hour in traffic during rush hour.

Show examples from the web [+]

Jan 9, 2015 ... I spent an hour in traffic this morning. If you know anyone who has trouble with this English language point, why not help them out! Just share ...
Nov 28, 2012 ... I spent an hour in traffic on my way home from work the other day. That might be a reasonable commute for you, but it drove me crazy.
Nov 7, 2013 ... Sitting in traffic, you'd normally be using fuel and therefore money, I could at least rest easy in the fact that though I spent an hour in traffic, I only ...
Uh, if you just venture out into the streets here in Beijing, my way here this morning I spent an hour in traffic, where if I came when there's no cars on the road it'd ...

This phrase is incorrect in English.

"I spent an hour in a traffic"

Show examples from the web [+]

Then I spent an hour in a traffic jam- the kind where you'd really like to put the car in park until it all clears up, except you can't because it's moving about 5mph ...
Then I spent an hour in a traffic jam- the kind where you'd really like to put the car in park until it all clears up, except you can't because it's moving about 5mph ...

Alternatives:

I spent an hour in traffic.

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I spent an hour in traffic vs I spent an hour in a traffic