a burst of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a burst of" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It typically refers to a sudden and intense release of something, whether it be energy, emotion, or action. It can be used in various contexts, as shown in the examples below: 1. "As the sun rose over the horizon, a burst of vibrant colors painted the sky." 2. "The audience erupted into a burst of applause as the performer finished their final song." 3. "After weeks of writer's block, she finally experienced a burst of creativity and wrote five chapters in one sitting." 4. "A burst of laughter filled the room as the comedian delivered a hilarious punchline." 5. "The storm brought a burst of strong winds and heavy rain, causing power outages and flooding in the area." In each of these examples, "a burst of" is used to describe a sudden and intense occurrence of something. So, it can be used whenever you want to convey a sudden and powerful release or display of something.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A burst of gunfire erupts.

The New York Times

Suddenly, there was a burst of laughter.

The New Yorker

There was a burst of applause.

The New Yorker

"It wasn't a burst of gunfire.

Independent

It received a burst of applause.

The New York Times

A burst of machine-gun fire.

The New Yorker

There is a burst of Prokofiev.

The New Yorker

A burst of enthusiasm followed.

The New York Times - Health

A burst of acquisition followed.

The Guardian - Opinion

A burst of joy erupted.

The New York Times

A burst of flattering coverage began.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a burst of" to add vividness and impact when describing sudden occurrences, emotions, or releases of energy. It's particularly effective when you want to emphasize the intensity and brevity of the event.

Common error

Avoid using "a burst of" excessively in formal or academic writing where a more precise or technical term might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "sudden increase" or "rapid release" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

"A burst of" functions as a noun phrase modifier, typically preceding a noun to describe a sudden and intense release or occurrence. Ludwig examples show its use across diverse contexts, from describing gunfire to laughter, indicating its versatility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a burst of" is a versatile and common phrase used to describe a sudden and intense release, increase, or occurrence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appears across various contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. While generally neutral in register, its formality can vary depending on the context. When choosing alternatives, consider the specific nuance you want to convey, such as "a surge of" or "a wave of". While highly effective for adding vividness and impact, overuse in formal writing should be avoided in favour of more precise terminology.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surge of

Replaces "burst" with "surge", implying a powerful and sudden increase or rush.

a rush of

Uses "rush" to describe a sudden and often overwhelming movement or feeling.

a wave of

Substitutes "burst" with "wave", suggesting a flowing and overwhelming quantity or feeling.

a sudden rush of

Adds "sudden rush" to emphasize the quick and forceful nature of the event.

an outbreak of

Uses "outbreak" to describe a sudden and widespread occurrence, often of something negative.

a flash of

Replaces "burst" with "flash", highlighting the brief and intense nature of the event.

a gush of

Substitutes "burst" with "gush", implying a sudden and copious outpouring.

a flurry of

Uses "flurry" to describe a sudden and often chaotic burst of activity or events.

a spurt of

Replaces "burst" with "spurt", suggesting a short and sudden emission or increase.

a fit of

Substitutes "burst" with "fit", implying a sudden and uncontrollable outburst of emotion or behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "a burst of" in a sentence?

You can use "a burst of" to describe a sudden release or increase of something. For instance, "The sky exploded in a burst of fireworks" or "She felt a burst of energy after drinking the coffee".

What are some alternatives to "a burst of"?

Alternatives include "a surge of", "a wave of", or "a sudden rush of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a burst of" formal or informal?

"A burst of" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or technical writing, more precise language might be preferred.

What's the difference between "a burst of" and "a sudden increase in"?

"A burst of" often implies a more dramatic and immediate release or increase, while "a sudden increase in" is more neutral and simply indicates a rapid rise in quantity or intensity. Consider the context to determine which is more appropriate.