Surge of work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Surge of work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden increase in workload or tasks that need to be completed. Example: "After the new project was announced, there was a significant surge of work that the team had to manage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Amid the recent surge of work, one of Armenco's hardest projects was the bus for Le Truc.

The New York Times

The Drift (2006) – which infamously featured the sound of meat being punched – began a late surge of work, including a 2014 collaboration with avant-metal band Sunn O))), Soused.

The Guardian - Music

In addition, based on a 28percentt increase in calls from employers in the first three months of this year — before the new rules were announced — the agency expects a surge of work clarifying its records after the latest letters go out, Mr. Rust said.

The New York Times

Yet with the slow disasters of our time, this surge of work reminds us that contemporary art has a role to play in making sense of the world, and to do it by reviving the core belief of western art: we must be humble in the face of nature and recognise its importance to our survival.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

With auto, coal, steel and other major unions a shadow of their former selves, the Hollywood unions largely formed in the 1930s are actually one of the last thriving representatives of that historic surge of working class power.

Huffington Post

If they are, cutting marginal rates could cause a sustained surge of hard work and entrepreneurial activity — and thus reported income.

The New York Times

Twelve years ago, in the middle of his chemo, a surge of new work and a 75th birthday must have seemed like non sequiturs, too.

The Guardian

The expansion of some police laboratories and recruitment drives at private forensics firms will not bolster capacity enough to handle any sudden surge of forensic work, as was dealt with by the Forensic Science Service in the aftermath of the bombings and attempted bombings in London in July 2005.

The Guardian

In the post-genomic era, the introduction of bioinformatics methods has been advantageous to the study of selenoproteins, resulting in a surge of recent works focusing on the integration of the selenoproteomes of one or more species rather than only a single selenoprotein.

BMC Genomics

The surge of energy works its way through the boat as it goes through the wave".

The Guardian

But to the creators of "War of the Worlds," part of a surge of new works about Welles, fact is not relevant.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "surge of work" with a descriptive adjective to enhance the image you are creating, such as: "unexpected surge of work" or "sudden surge of work".

Common error

Avoid using "surge of work" to describe a consistently heavy workload. "Surge" implies a temporary increase, not a permanent state. For persistent high workloads, consider phrases like "heavy workload" or "demanding schedule".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surge of work" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a sudden, often temporary, increase in the amount of work needing to be done. Ludwig confirms this usage, highlighting its role in describing workload fluctuations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "surge of work" is a grammatically sound noun phrase denoting a sudden increase in workload, according to Ludwig. While not overly common, it is widely understood and appropriate for neutral contexts, particularly in news and media. To enhance clarity, specify the type of surge and avoid using it to describe consistently high workloads. Alternatives like "increase in workload" or "spike in tasks" can offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Increase in workload

Replaces "surge" with a more common and direct term, focusing on the amount of work.

Spike in tasks

Emphasizes the sudden increase in individual tasks rather than overall workload.

Influx of assignments

Highlights the arrival of new assignments, implying a potentially temporary situation.

Upsurge in activity

Broader term indicating a general increase in busyness, not limited to just work.

Sudden rush of projects

Focuses on the project aspect of the work increase, suggesting new initiatives.

Peak in operational demands

A more formal alternative, emphasizing the pressure on operational resources.

Intensified work pace

Shifts the focus to the speed and intensity of the work being done.

Elevated task volume

Highlights the increased quantity of tasks that need to be completed.

Heightened operational tempo

Suggests a faster, more energetic rhythm of work.

Escalation of responsibilities

Emphasizes the increasing level of responsibility and accountability.

FAQs

How can I use "surge of work" in a sentence?

You can use "surge of work" to describe a sudden increase in tasks or responsibilities, as in "The company experienced a /s/sudden+influx+of+projects because of the new contract".

What's a good alternative to "surge of work"?

Depending on the context, you could use "increase in workload", "spike in tasks", or "influx of assignments".

Is it correct to say "a surge in work" instead of "surge of work"?

While "a surge in work" isn't incorrect, "surge of work" is the more common and idiomatic expression to describe an increased workload.

What does "surge of work" imply about the situation?

It suggests that the increase in work is temporary and likely unexpected, creating a period of heightened activity.