a sharp surge

USAGE SUMMARY

'a sharp surge' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means a sudden, significant increase in some kind of activity or quantity. For example, "The number of new cases of Covid-19 saw a sharp surge in the past week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

During the recession, there has been a sharp surge in the number of Americans who are getting a college degree.

The New York Times

In "Glacier Track," the plunge of a glacier is suggested by a sharp surge in the music and dancing.

The New York Times - Arts

But after a sharp surge in new cases earlier this week, that rate had slowed to just eight on Wednesday.

The Guardian

British officials have been hinting for several weeks that they suspect Iranian involvement in a sharp surge in attacks since eight British soldiers were killed over the summer.

The New York Times

In the past few years, gay people have finally begun to exercise the same rights as their straight siblings, yet there has been a sharp surge in violence against us.

Independent

But many psychologists, parents, market researchers and middle-school principals (with drawers full of confiscated spray cans), report a sharp surge in the last few years of the use of grooming products by tween boys.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Liquori mustered a short, sharp surge and held his lead, one long stride, to the finish.

The New York Times - Sports

One possibility is that the level of concern reflects a sudden, sharp surge in crime, rather than the absolute number of victims.

The Economist

G-20 officials will also discuss ways to correct other imbalances, including the sharp surge in food prices, and a surge in prices for a wide range of commodities.

The New York Times

After a sharp initial surge, just eight new cases were diagnosed on Wednesday, but in her Holyrood statement, Sturgeon updated that figure.

The Guardian

The week before Thanksgiving, Pecaut predicted that traditional retailers would still experience a sharp holiday surge, while online sales would increase steadily straight through the end of the first week in December, dropping off slightly afterwards due to shipping and delivery cut-off deadlines.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a sharp surge", ensure the context clearly defines what is increasing. For example, specify "a sharp surge in demand" or "a sharp surge in prices".

Common error

Avoid using "a sharp surge" in contexts where the increase is already implied by the surrounding words. For instance, saying "a sharp surge increase" is redundant; simply use "a sharp surge" or "a sharp increase".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sharp surge" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a sudden and significant increase in a particular quantity or activity, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

29%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sharp surge" is a noun phrase used to describe a sudden and significant increase, suitable for neutral to professional contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its frequency is common, especially in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding what is surging and avoid redundant phrasing like "a sharp surge increase". Consider alternatives like "a sudden increase" or "a rapid escalation" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, maintaining a formal tone and ensuring precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sudden increase

Replaces "surge" with a more general term, "increase", and "sharp" with "sudden".

a rapid escalation

Substitutes "sharp" with "rapid" and "surge" with "escalation", emphasizing speed and intensity.

a marked rise

Replaces "sharp" with "marked" and "surge" with "rise", indicating a noticeable upward trend.

a steep incline

Uses a metaphorical term, "incline", to represent an upward movement, with "steep" replacing "sharp".

a dramatic upturn

Emphasizes the impact of the increase by using "dramatic" and replacing "surge" with "upturn".

a significant jump

Replaces "sharp" with "significant" and "surge" with "jump", indicating a notable change.

a quick upswing

Focuses on the speed of the increase by using "quick" and substituting "surge" with "upswing".

a notable spike

Uses "spike" to denote a sudden, sharp increase, maintaining the essence of the original phrase.

a considerable leap

Emphasizes the magnitude of the increase with "considerable" and replaces "surge" with "leap".

a distinct boost

Replaces "sharp" with "distinct" and "surge" with "boost", suggesting a clear and positive increase.

FAQs

How can I use "a sharp surge" in a sentence?

You can use "a sharp surge" to describe a sudden increase in something. For example, "There was a sharp surge in unemployment after the factory closed".

What is a synonym for "a sharp surge"?

Alternatives to "a sharp surge" include "a sudden increase", "a rapid escalation", or "a marked rise", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a sharp surge increase"?

No, "a sharp surge increase" is redundant. The word "surge" already implies an increase, so it's better to use either "a sharp surge" or "a sharp increase".

What causes "a sharp surge"?

The causes of "a sharp surge" depend on the context. It could be triggered by various factors such as economic changes, policy implementations, or unexpected events.