a mounting wave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mounting wave" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an increasing or intensifying situation, often in a metaphorical sense, such as emotions, challenges, or trends. Example: "As the deadline approached, a mounting wave of anxiety swept over the team, making it difficult to focus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

And he created a new federal police force to fight a mounting wave of federal crimes, including kidnapping.

The New York Times

The confirmation came after a mounting wave of rumors that served to underline France's love-hate relationship with all things American.

The New York Times

With developments in the scandal breaking almost dally, Prime Minister Harold Macmillan will encounter a mounting wave of outrage and criticism when he returns here tomorrow from his vacation in Scotland.

The New York Times

Facing a mounting wave of political and commercial pressure, the publishers IPC cancelled the title – even though that week's comic, cover-dated 23 October 1976, had already been printed.

The Guardian - Books

WHEN AT&T said in January 1996 that it intended to eliminate 40,000 of its 301,000 jobs, the announcement seemed like the crest of a mounting wave of corporate cutbacks.

The New York Times

His eight years in office, Mr Maliki said, had been spent combating a mounting wave of terrorism and subversion.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

When Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak went before his nation last week to talk about the mounting wave of unrest sweeping through his country he made a point of stating that he was in favor of freedom of expression.

Huffington Post

Mexico controlled possession of the ball, mounting wave after wave of promising attacks, but seemed unable to score.

The New Yorker

The mounting wave of safety concerns is forcing Mattel and other toy companies to reconsider long-held assumptions about the safety of their products.

The New York Times

Thus, the mounting wave of nationalism among Slovaks as well as Czechs created conditions for the eventual establishment of two closely related but distinct political units.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"To revive growth and fight long-term and youth unemployment would be the best message to counter the mounting wave of populism and disaffection with the European Union, showing that Europe is listening to people's concerns".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mounting wave" to describe situations where there's a gradual but noticeable increase in intensity, pressure, or volume. It's effective for conveying a sense of building momentum.

Common error

Avoid using "a mounting wave" in overly familiar or predictable situations (e.g., "a mounting wave of paperwork"). Opt for more specific and vivid language to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mounting wave" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a gradual increase or intensification of something, as confirmed by Ludwig, implying a growing force or pressure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mounting wave" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe a gradual increase or intensification. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While suitable for neutral and formal registers, it's essential to avoid overuse in clichéd contexts. Consider alternatives like "a growing surge" or "a rising tide" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a growing surge

Emphasizes a powerful and sudden increase.

an increasing trend

Focuses on a gradual and sustained rise in popularity or prevalence.

a rising tide

Suggests an overwhelming and unstoppable force.

an escalating series

Highlights a sequence of events with increasing intensity.

a burgeoning swell

Implies a rapid and expansive growth.

a developing crisis

Specifically refers to a worsening situation heading toward a critical point.

a gathering momentum

Indicates an increase in speed or force over time.

a spiraling escalation

Conveys a rapid and uncontrollable increase, often in a negative context.

a strengthening current

Implies an increasing force or influence, often unseen but powerful.

a heightening sense

Refers to an increase in awareness or perception.

FAQs

How can I use "a mounting wave" in a sentence?

The phrase "a mounting wave" is used to describe something that is gradually increasing or intensifying. For example, "The company faced "a mounting wave" of customer complaints after the product launch".

What are some alternatives to "a mounting wave"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a growing surge", "a rising tide", or "an increasing trend" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "mounting waves" instead of "a mounting wave"?

Yes, "mounting waves" is grammatically correct, but it implies multiple instances or occurrences, while "a mounting wave" refers to a singular, growing phenomenon. For example, "the ship battled "mounting waves" during the storm" describes multiple large waves.

What's the difference between "a mounting wave" and "a rising tide"?

Both phrases suggest an increase, but ""a rising tide"" often implies something inevitable and widespread, while ""a mounting wave"" can refer to something more specific and potentially manageable.