a continuous barrage of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a continuous barrage of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing and overwhelming series of events, actions, or stimuli, often in a negative context. Example: "The news reports presented a continuous barrage of alarming statistics about the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The movie is a continuous barrage of explosions, sneak attacks, chases, life-and-death face-offs, and amazing rescues that are as far-fetched as they are exhilarating.

The New York Times

The government decided to continue it, despite both coalition parties rubbishing it as a typical Labour monolith during the 2010 election, and a continuous barrage of scorn from the 'doctor-patient confidentiality' lobby in the medical establishment, which never offered an alternative plan.

The Guardian

The dancing is strenuous and exacting, and Ms. Guillem gives it heart and soul, but the choreography is thin, a continuous barrage of bent-kneed walking and kicking and with the awkward cartoon gestures and stylized gaucherie that constitute Mr. Ek's style.

The New York Times - Arts

It was a continuous barrage of criticism aimed at undermining my self-confidence.

Science Magazine

Providing regular feedback on the progress of the study with simple graphics on eye-catching paper was a method which kept the study in general practitioners' minds without seeming like a continuous barrage of advertisements.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

To the public's detriment, the continuous barrage of headlines related to funding, M&A, etc. has swayed popular opinion such that one's initial inclination is to assume that the competitive landscape is crowded, and that the market itself is accordingly saturated.

TechCrunch

For about 10 hours, the supporters of Mohamed Morsi were subjected to a near-continuous barrage of live fire.

Independent

Individual neurons face a continual barrage of excitatory inputs across tens of thousands of synaptic connections.

Hippocampus

This requires audiovisual integration of a continual barrage of sensory input a phenomenon previously well-studied with human audiovisual speech, but not with non-verbal vocalizations.

Brain Topography

Life presents as a continuous multimodal barrage on all our senses.

Psychology of Learning and Motivation

The pro-rebel TamilNet website accused the army of keeping up a "continuous inhuman artillery barrage" on the safe zone.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "a continuous barrage of" to emphasize the unrelenting and overwhelming nature of something, whether it be information, attacks, or sensations.

Common error

While "a continuous barrage of" can be used for neutral or even exciting events, it often carries a negative connotation due to the aggressive imagery of a military "barrage". Avoid using it in purely positive contexts where the overwhelming nature isn't intended as a challenge or difficulty. Consider using "a steady stream of" or "a constant flow of" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a continuous barrage of" functions as a noun phrase modifier. It typically precedes a noun to describe it as being subjected to a relentless and overwhelming series of something. Ludwig confirms its usability in this context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a continuous barrage of" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes an ongoing and overwhelming series of events, actions, or stimuli. As indicated by Ludwig, it's best used when you want to emphasize the relentless nature of something, often with a negative connotation, though neutral or even exciting contexts are possible. While it's most frequently found in news and media sources, this phrase can also appear in scientific and formal writing. Be mindful of the potentially negative connotations of "barrage" and choose alternative phrasing if a more positive tone is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a relentless onslaught of

Substitutes "continuous" with "relentless" and "barrage" with "onslaught", highlighting the unyielding and aggressive nature of the series.

a constant stream of

Changes the metaphor from a military term to a flowing one, suggesting a steady and unbroken flow rather than an aggressive onslaught.

an unending torrent of

Replaces "barrage" with "torrent", emphasizing the forceful and overwhelming nature of the continuous flow.

a perpetual flood of

Emphasizes the constant and overwhelming nature using the term "flood", implying an abundance and potential difficulty in managing it.

an incessant wave of

Uses "incessant wave" to convey the feeling of something repeatedly washing over you, emphasizing the relentless and overwhelming aspect.

a ceaseless outpouring of

Replaces "barrage" with "outpouring", focusing on the abundant and continuous release of something.

a steady flow of

Uses "steady flow" instead of "continuous barrage", suggesting a more consistent and less overwhelming progression.

a persistent rain of

Uses "rain" as a metaphor, softening the aggressive connotation of "barrage" while maintaining the sense of continuous and unrelenting occurrence.

a never-ending string of

Focuses on the unending nature of the sequence, emphasizing its seemingly infinite duration.

a non-stop succession of

Replaces the metaphor with a more literal description of events following one another without pause.

FAQs

How can I use "a continuous barrage of" in a sentence?

You can use "a continuous barrage of" to describe an overwhelming series of events, actions, or stimuli. For example, "The company faced "a continuous barrage of" criticism after the product launch".

What are some alternatives to "a continuous barrage of"?

Some alternatives include "a constant stream of", "an unending torrent of", or "a relentless onslaught of", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "a continuous barrage of" always negative?

While "a continuous barrage of" often carries a negative connotation due to the imagery of a military barrage, it can also be used in neutral or even exciting contexts where the overwhelming nature isn't necessarily unwelcome. Context is key to understanding the intended meaning.

Which is more appropriate: "a continuous barrage of" or "a constant flow of"?

"A continuous barrage of" implies a more forceful and potentially overwhelming experience, while "a constant flow of" suggests a steadier and less intense progression. The best choice depends on the specific situation and the level of emphasis you want to convey.