a spate of reports

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a spate of reports" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden or large number of reports that have emerged within a specific timeframe. Example: "In recent weeks, there has been a spate of reports regarding the effectiveness of the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

A spate of reports has highlighted the dangers of distracted driving.

The New York Times

There has been a spate of reports suggesting that patient neglect is more common than previously assumed.

The Guardian

A spate of reports after the EU referendum sparked fears of a wave of xenophobic and racial abuse.

The Guardian

The protest followed a spate of reports in the Israeli media of a "crime wave" – including alleged rapes, assaults and robberies – blamed on migrants.

The Guardian

This successful blend of community cohesion and rising wealth has been undermined in recent months by a spate of reports concerning anti-Muslim attitudes.

The Guardian

After a spate of reports of poor working conditions for the firm's employees (including excessive hours), Apple's chief executive, Tim Cook, ordered an investigation, and Foxconn is making a number of changes.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

On Thursday, while international rights groups advocated eliminating child marriage, which disproportionately affects girls, politicians continued to debate a village council member's solution to a spate of reported rapes in the state of Haryana: get girls married off by the age of 16 so that they have their husbands for their sexual needs and don't need to go elsewhere.

The New York Times

Officials in west Siberia plan to launch a new scientific institute dedicated to studying yetis after a spate of reported sightings in remote areas.

Huffington Post

His first television appearance was in a debate about the existence of flying saucers following a spate of reported sightings in the 1950s; Moore argued against Lord Dowding and other UFO proponents.

Wikipedia

A few years back, a spate of news reports and medical journal articles reporting that doctors were refusing to accept Medicare patients caught the attention of Dr. Tara Bishop, an internist and assistant professor of public health at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York.

The New York Times

Since Wells Fargo reported surprisingly strong first-quarter earnings, Wall Street has enjoyed a spate of robust reports.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a spate of reports" when you want to emphasize a sudden or unexpected increase in the number of reports on a particular topic. It adds a sense of urgency or heightened attention to the subject.

Common error

While "a spate of reports" is acceptable, in highly formal or academic writing, consider using more neutral alternatives like "numerous reports" or "several studies" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a spate of reports" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject or object within a sentence. It denotes a significant and often sudden increase in the number of reports concerning a particular subject. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a spate of reports" is a common phrase used to describe a sudden or large number of reports appearing within a specific timeframe. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and appropriate for written English, particularly in news and media contexts. While acceptable in neutral to slightly informal registers, writers should consider more formal alternatives like "numerous reports" in academic or scientific writing. The phrase effectively highlights trends or growing concerns, drawing attention to a subject's increasing importance. Related phrases include "a flurry of reports" and "a surge of reports".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a flurry of reports

Replaces "spate" with "flurry", implying a sudden burst or rush of reports.

a surge of reports

Substitutes "spate" with "surge", indicating a sudden increase in the number of reports.

a wave of reports

Replaces "spate" with "wave", suggesting a gradually increasing number of reports.

an outbreak of reports

Substitutes "spate" with "outbreak", implying a sudden and widespread occurrence of reports, especially in a negative context.

a series of reports

Replaces "spate" with "series", indicating a number of reports occurring one after another.

a cluster of reports

Substitutes "spate" with "cluster", suggesting a group of reports appearing in close proximity.

a collection of reports

Replaces "spate" with "collection", indicating a compilation of various reports.

numerous reports

Simplified version indicating a large quantity of reports without the implication of suddenness.

multiple reports

A more general alternative indicating several reports.

several reports

A less intense version, simply meaning more than a few reports.

FAQs

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

You can use "a spate of reports" to indicate a sudden increase in the number of reports about a particular topic. For example, "There has been "a spate of reports" concerning the new environmental regulations".

What are some alternatives to "a spate of reports"?

You can use alternatives like "a flurry of reports", "a surge of reports", or "numerous reports" depending on the context.

Is "a spate of reports" formal or informal?

"A spate of reports" is generally considered appropriate for neutral to slightly informal contexts. For highly formal or academic writing, consider more neutral alternatives.

What does "a spate of" actually mean?

"A spate of" means a large number of similar things or events appearing or occurring in quick succession. It's used to emphasize the suddenness or unexpectedness of the increase.