a flurry of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a flurry of' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a large number of similar objects or activities that occur quickly. For example, "I was caught off-guard by a flurry of emails arriving in my inbox all at once."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Expect a flurry of feathers.

The Economist

A flurry of meetings followed.

The New York Times

A flurry of activity followed.

The New York Times

They began a flurry of e-mails.

The New York Times

A flurry of headline-grabbing suits followed.

The Economist

Each slice made a flurry of crumbs.

The New York Times - Food

A flurry of other public offerings followed.

The Economist

A flurry of litigation has followed.

The Economist

A flurry of wrong notes rang out.

The New Yorker

A flurry of resignations followed the verdict.

The Economist

There followed a flurry of petals.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a flurry of" to describe events or actions that occur suddenly and in quick succession. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the speed and quantity of the occurrences.

Common error

Avoid using "fury" when you mean "flurry." "Fury" refers to intense anger, while "flurry" describes a brief period of activity or precipitation. For example, instead of "a fury of emails", the correct phrase is "a flurry of emails."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a flurry of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a sudden and abundant occurrence of something. Ludwig provides examples such as "a flurry of emails" and "a flurry of questions" which highlights the phrase's usage in describing a large number of things happening quickly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Academia

11%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a flurry of" is a versatile phrase used to describe a sudden and abundant occurrence of actions, items, or events. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, indicating a neutral formality level. When writing, remember to use "a flurry of" to emphasize the speed and quantity of what you are describing, and avoid confusing it with "fury". Alternatives like "an abundance of" or "a burst of" can be used to add variety to your writing, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a burst of

Focuses on a sudden and intense release or occurrence.

a rush of

Conveys a sense of urgency and speed.

a surge of

Suggests a rapid increase or upwelling.

a wave of

Implies a sweeping or widespread occurrence.

a stream of

Implies a continuous flow or succession.

an abundance of

Emphasizes a large quantity rather than the suddenness.

a torrent of

Suggests an overwhelming and forceful outpouring.

a cascade of

Highlights a flowing or falling effect of multiple things.

a hail of

Conveys an image of many things being thrown or occurring at once.

a cluster of

Highlights the grouping together of similar items or events.

FAQs

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

Use "a flurry of" to describe a sudden, brief period of activity or a large number of things happening at once. For example, "The announcement resulted in "a flurry of questions"" or "There was "a flurry of snowflakes" falling outside my window."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a flurry of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "an abundance of", "a burst of", or "a surge of" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "flurries of" instead of "a flurry of"?

While "flurries" can refer to light, scattered showers of snow, using "a flurry of" is generally more versatile for describing a rapid succession of events or actions, not just weather phenomena.

What is the difference between "a flurry of" and "a wave of"?

"A flurry of" often implies a shorter, more concentrated burst of activity, while ""a wave of"" suggests a more prolonged and widespread occurrence.