a massive wave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a massive wave" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large wave, often in the context of ocean waves, but it can also be metaphorical, referring to a significant surge of something, like emotions or trends. Example: "As the storm approached, surfers eagerly awaited a massive wave to ride."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The skeptics feared a massive wave of violence.

The Washington Post

A massive wave was building on the orange-pink horizon.

The New York Times - Travel

The next thing, I saw a massive wave.

The Guardian

Chinese state-backed, private and collectively owned firms have created a massive wave of listings.

The Economist

Suddenly, a massive wave broke over the ironing board and engulfed them all.

The Washington Post

The next thing I saw a massive wave, taller than a coconut tree.

The Guardian

His return, they said, would mark the beginning of a massive wave of protests.

The Washington Post

"We are deploying a massive wave of responses by land, air and sea," he said.

The Washington Post

There is a massive wave sweeping over politics called four-party politics.

The Guardian

The reaction from the emails, phone calls and radio phone-ins has been a massive wave of support.

The Guardian - Opinion

The new era, powered by renewable energy, will be swept in on a massive wave of investment.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a massive wave" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly conveys the sense of something large, powerful, and potentially overwhelming. For instance, "The company experienced a massive wave of innovation after the new CEO took over."

Common error

Avoid using "a massive wave" in predictable or cliché situations. Instead, try to find more specific and vivid language that fits the particular context. For example, instead of saying "a massive wave of layoffs", consider "a sweeping reduction in workforce" if it better conveys the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a massive wave" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It consists of the article 'a', the adjective 'massive' modifying the noun 'wave'. Ludwig demonstrates the phrase's use both literally, describing a large water formation, and figuratively, representing a surge or influx.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a massive wave" is a versatile phrase used to describe something of great size or force, both literally and metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically sound and widely accepted. It appears most frequently in news and media, but also has a presence in academic and scientific contexts. While versatile, be mindful of overusing it in clichés and seek more descriptive alternatives to enhance your writing. Consider it a strong descriptor that should be used intentionally for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a powerful surge

Focuses on the strength and energy, fitting for describing a forceful movement or event.

a huge surge

Emphasizes the sudden and forceful increase, similar to the impact of a wave but applicable to non-physical phenomena.

a giant swell

Focuses on the size and gradual increase in magnitude, more specific to water-related contexts.

an enormous tide

Highlights the scale and overwhelming nature, suitable for describing trends or changes with great force.

an overwhelming flood

Conveys the sense of being completely inundated or overcome by something.

a colossal breaker

Stresses the destructive power and breaking point, often used in dramatic or impactful situations.

a sweeping movement

Indicates a widespread and influential change, often used for social or political shifts.

a great inundation

Indicates being flooded or overwhelmed, suitable when describing an overabundance or engulfing situation.

a substantial increase

Highlights the considerable growth or rise in something, applicable to data, numbers, or abstract concepts.

a significant upswing

Emphasizes the positive direction and notable change, often used in economic or trend-related scenarios.

FAQs

How can "a massive wave" be used in a sentence?

The phrase "a massive wave" can describe a large ocean wave, as in, "The surfer rode "a massive wave" to shore". Metaphorically, it can describe a large influx of something, like "The store experienced "a massive wave" of customers after the sale was announced".

What's a good alternative to "a massive wave"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a huge surge", "a giant swell", or "a powerful surge" to describe a large or impactful event.

Is it more correct to say "a massive wave" or "a huge wave"?

Both "a massive wave" and "a huge wave" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice between them often comes down to stylistic preference, with "massive" sometimes implying a greater sense of scale or force.

Can "a massive wave" describe something other than water?

Yes, "a massive wave" is often used metaphorically to describe a large influx or surge of something abstract. For example, "The campaign received "a massive wave" of support".