a howling gust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a howling gust" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong, loud wind, often in a poetic or dramatic context. Example: "As the storm approached, a howling gust swept through the trees, sending leaves swirling into the air."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They banked off a howling gust, almost bowled over backward, then straightened their wings and dived forward.

The New York Times - Travel

"They're going to be sharing the screen all week with the possibility of a hurricane hitting New Orleans on the anniversary of Katrina," Stephanopoulos said to Sawyer, who had just shown footage of herself trapped in a howling gust of wind earlier in the day.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

As the storm passed near the Bahamas capital of Nassau, howling gusts of wind brought down palms and other trees and ripped shingles off the rooftops of many houses.

Huffington Post

The Poles, reportedly, experience a "howling of kittens".

The New Yorker

There is no beauty here, only a howling desolation.

The New York Times

And it's been a howling success".

Forbes

That’s why stocks here seem like a howling bargain.

Forbes

It was a howling success.

Huffington Post

This government is a howling farce.

Wikipedia

Was she holding a howling baby?

Huffington Post

A howling baby calmed by a howling dog, a la Nana.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a howling gust" to create vivid imagery and emphasize the intensity of the wind in your writing. It's particularly effective in setting a dramatic or ominous tone.

Common error

Avoid using "a howling gust" in situations where the wind is not particularly strong or significant. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

"A howling gust" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig indicates its use in descriptive contexts to emphasize the power and sound of wind, creating vivid imagery.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a howling gust" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a strong and noisy burst of wind, as affirmed by Ludwig. Its primary function is to add vivid imagery and convey a sense of intensity or drama, primarily found in news and media contexts. While not a common expression, as shown by Ludwig examples, it's best used when a powerful wind is a significant element of the scene to avoid sounding melodramatic. Consider alternatives like ""a strong wind"" or ""a violent gust"" if the situation doesn't warrant such emphatic language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a violent gust

This emphasizes the destructive potential of the wind.

a furious wind

This emphasizes the wild and uncontrolled nature of the wind.

a strong wind

This is a general term for wind, lacking the intensity implied by "howling".

a wild blast

This suggests an untamed and chaotic burst of wind.

a fierce blast

This emphasizes the sudden and forceful nature of the wind.

a roaring gale

This highlights the strength and sound of the wind.

a sharp gust

This emphasizes the suddenness and piercing nature of the wind.

a powerful surge

This describes a sudden increase in wind force.

a forceful blow

This focuses on the impact and strength of the wind.

a deafening wind

This draws attention to the loud sound the wind produces.

FAQs

How can I use "a howling gust" in a sentence?

You can use "a howling gust" to describe a strong, noisy wind, such as "As the storm approached, "a howling gust" rattled the windows".

What's a good alternative to "a howling gust"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "a strong wind", "a violent gust", or "a roaring gale".

Is it grammatically correct to say "a howling gust of wind"?

While grammatically correct, "a howling gust of wind" is somewhat redundant, as a gust is already a burst of wind. "A howling gust" is sufficient.

When is it appropriate to use "a howling gust" in writing?

Use "a howling gust" when you want to emphasize the power and sound of the wind, often in dramatic or descriptive contexts. It's suitable for creating a sense of intensity or danger.