a marathon of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a marathon of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a long and challenging activity or event that requires a lot of effort and endurance. Here is an example sentence: "After months of training, I finally completed a marathon of studying for my final exams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Entertainment

Sports

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A marathon, of course.

The New York Times

A marathon of The Good Wife?

The Guardian - Tech

"The Stanley Cup is a marathon of hope," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Her life has become a marathon of expectations.

The Guardian - Sport

Birdman is a marathon of long-take athleticism.

The Guardian - Film

There was a marathon of calls through chattering teeth.

The New York Times

The concert was largely a marathon of precisely calibrated picking.

The New York Times - Arts

In the city, I'm… Saturday, October 7th, was a marathon of disheartening tasks for Anna Politkovskaya.

The New Yorker

The National Geographic Channel has scheduled a marathon of related coverage on Sept. 11.

The New York Times

A marathon of earlier episodes leads in, starting at 11 a.m.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Circle Of Light FestivAl IlluMarathonBuildings, Sculptures, Water Jetpacks.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a marathon of" to describe a long, continuous activity that requires significant effort or endurance, like "a marathon of meetings" or "a marathon of phone calls".

Common error

Avoid using "a marathon of" when referring to a literal marathon race. The phrase is best used metaphorically to describe a lengthy and demanding activity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marathon of" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a descriptor for a prolonged or intense series of events or activities. Ludwig shows this phrase is frequently used to characterize demanding situations that require considerable endurance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Arts

20%

Entertainment

15%

Less common in

Sports

10%

Travel

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a marathon of" is a common and correct way to describe a long and demanding series of events. As shown by Ludwig, it’s frequently used in news, arts, and entertainment contexts to emphasize the duration and intensity of an activity. It is considered grammatically sound and is generally accepted in both formal and informal writing, though it leans slightly towards a neutral or informal register. When using the phrase, ensure it refers to a metaphorical marathon rather than a literal race and that the context aligns with the intended meaning of a lengthy, endurance-testing activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a series of

Emphasizes sequential arrangement rather than endurance or intensity.

a succession of

Highlights the sequence and the following of one thing after another.

a string of

Implies a continuous line or sequence, often of similar items or events.

a chain of

Suggests interconnectedness or dependence between the events or items.

an array of

Focuses on a varied and impressive collection, rather than the duration or intensity.

a barrage of

Conveys an overwhelming and intense delivery of something, often information or criticism.

a flurry of

Indicates a sudden and rapid burst of activity or events.

a stream of

Presents a continuous flow, typically of information, ideas, or people.

a cluster of

Denotes a group of things close together, without the emphasis on duration.

an epidemic of

Implies rapid and widespread occurrence, especially of something negative or undesirable.

FAQs

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

You can use "a marathon of" to describe a long and intense series of events or activities. For example, "The conference featured a marathon of workshops and presentations."

What's a good alternative to "a marathon of"?

Consider using alternatives like "a series of" or "a succession of" depending on the context. They both convey a sense of continuation but might lack the implication of endurance associated with "a marathon of".

Is it appropriate to use "a marathon of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a marathon of" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when describing a prolonged and demanding activity or event. Its use is widespread in news and media, as seen in Ludwig.

What does "a marathon of" imply about an activity?

"A marathon of" suggests the activity is not only lengthy but also requires significant effort, stamina, or persistence, similar to running a physical marathon.