a slew of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a slew of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a large or undetermined number of something. For example: "He had a slew of people coming to his party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

There are a slew of contradictory findings.

The New York Times - Health

A slew of other executives followed suit.

The Guardian - Business

"I did a slew of 'Miss Saigon's.

The New Yorker

A slew of bankers were imprisoned.

The Guardian - Sport

Today's announcements include a slew of numbers.

The Guardian - Business

Plus we have a slew of people desperately needing jobs.

The New York Times

A slew of other streamlining legislation is in the pipeline.

The Economist

These simple organisms offer a slew of advantages.

The Economist

That brings into play a slew of political problems.

The Economist

They are among a slew of lawsuits seeking similar exemptions.

The New York Times

Sclerosis took hold thanks to a slew of missed opportunities.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slew of" to add emphasis when describing a large, often overwhelming, number of items or events. For example, "The project generated a slew of unexpected challenges."

Common error

While "a slew of" is widely understood, it can sound informal. In professional or academic contexts, consider more formal alternatives like "a large number of" or "a multitude of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slew of" functions as a determiner, specifically a quantifier, indicating a large, indefinite number or amount. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. It modifies a noun to express quantity, similar to phrases like 'a lot of' or 'many'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slew of" is a versatile phrase used to denote a large quantity or number, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, as showcased by Ludwig's examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, it adds emphasis when describing abundance. Although grammatically correct, it leans towards the informal side and might require more formal alternatives such as "a multitude of" or "a large number of" in professional or academic settings. Remember to use it judiciously to enhance your writing while maintaining the appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a multitude of

Replaces "slew" with "multitude", emphasizing a large number.

a large number of

More direct and less idiomatic than "a slew of".

a great deal of

Suitable for uncountable nouns, indicating a significant amount.

a host of

Implies a large and impressive collection.

a wealth of

Suggests an abundance of something valuable or desirable.

an abundance of

Emphasizes plentiful supply or amount.

a cornucopia of

Evokes a sense of overflowing abundance, often in a diverse assortment.

a mountain of

Implies a very large and possibly overwhelming quantity.

a stack of

Conveys a sense of items piled up, often implying order or arrangement.

a flood of

Indicates a sudden and overwhelming influx or outpouring.

FAQs

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

You can use "a slew of" to describe a large quantity of something. For instance, "The company faced "a slew of challenges" after the merger".

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

Alternatives include "a large number of", "a multitude of", or "an abundance of", depending on the context.

Is "a slew of" considered formal or informal?

"A slew of" leans towards the informal side. For more formal settings, consider alternatives such as "a significant number of" or "numerous".

Is it correct to use "a slew of" with uncountable nouns?

While generally used with countable nouns, "a slew of" can sometimes be used informally with uncountable nouns to emphasize a large amount. However, it's generally better to use phrases like "a great deal of" or "an abundance of" with uncountable nouns.