a spate of attacks

USAGE SUMMARY

'a spate of attacks' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to describe a period of time during which multiple attacks have taken place. For example: During the last year, the city has seen a spate of attacks, leaving many locals feeling unsafe.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But a spate of attacks a decade ago reinforced the notion of them as bloodthirsty man-eaters.

The Guardian

This comes after a spate of attacks on Egyptian soil.

The Guardian

Guards have been posted at schools across China after a spate of attacks in recent years.

The New York Times

A spate of attacks wrought familiar scenes of grief and bloodshed.

The New York Times

His anti-terror squad has successfully curtailed jihadist violence since a spate of attacks in 2003.

The Economist

After Badreddine was sentenced, Mughniyah launched a spate of attacks to pressure Kuwait to free him.

The New Yorker

The shootings were the latest in a spate of attacks by Afghan forces on their coalition counterparts.

The New York Times

China experienced a spate of attacks on schoolchildren in 2010, with almost 20 deaths and more than 50 injuries.

The New York Times

In apparent retaliation, militants launched a spate of attacks that ranged from homemade explosive devices to suicide attacks.

Independent

The authorities singled out the NPD as a target after a spate of attacks on disabled people and immigrants.

The Guardian

The summit will highlight emerging technologies that can repel sharks, after a spate of attacks along the NSW coast.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a spate of attacks" when you want to convey that multiple attacks have occurred in a relatively short period, creating a sense of urgency or concern.

Common error

Avoid using "a spate of attacks" if the attacks are spread out over a long period. The phrase implies a clustering or concentration of events within a limited timeframe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a spate of attacks" functions as a noun phrase that serves as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a series of negative events occurring in close succession. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a spate of attacks" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase, especially in news and media, to describe a series of attacks occurring closely in time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It effectively conveys urgency and concern. While versatile, remember that it implies a clustering of events, not isolated incidents. Alternatives like "a series of attacks" or "a wave of attacks" can provide nuanced variations. Understanding its function and context will help you wield this phrase effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a series of attacks

Replaces "spate" with "series", indicating a sequence of attacks.

a wave of attacks

Uses "wave" to suggest a rising intensity or widespread nature of the attacks.

a cluster of attacks

Replaces "spate" with "cluster", emphasizing the grouping of attacks in a short period.

a string of attacks

Emphasizes a sequential connection between the attacks.

a barrage of attacks

Suggests a continuous and overwhelming series of attacks.

an outbreak of attacks

Implies a sudden and unexpected increase in attacks.

a flurry of attacks

Indicates a brief but intense period of attacks.

a rash of attacks

Similar to "spate", but can suggest a more sudden and less predictable onset.

a succession of attacks

Highlights the consecutive nature of the attacks.

an epidemic of attacks

Draws a parallel to disease outbreaks, suggesting a widespread and rapidly increasing problem.

FAQs

How can I use "a spate of attacks" in a sentence?

You can use "a spate of attacks" to describe a series of violent incidents. For example, "The city has experienced "a spate of attacks" in recent weeks, causing widespread fear."

What's a good alternative to "a spate of attacks"?

Alternatives include "a series of attacks", "a wave of attacks", or "a cluster of attacks", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "a spate of attacks" is suitable for formal writing, especially in news reports and analytical pieces. It clearly and concisely conveys the occurrence of multiple attacks within a specific timeframe.

What distinguishes "a spate of attacks" from "isolated attacks"?

"A spate of attacks" refers to a concentrated series of attacks, suggesting a pattern or trend. "Isolated attacks", on the other hand, implies that the attacks are unrelated and infrequent.