a steep surge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a steep surge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and significant increase in something, such as prices, demand, or emotions. Example: "The market experienced a steep surge in demand for electric vehicles last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In parallel, Edinburgh's electricity bill has mushroomed, partly due to a steep surge in the use of personal computers.

The Guardian

Can any other full-time English club claim such a steep surge in support?" "Earlier this season Martin O'Neill and Alex McLeish managed on opposite sides of the Birmingham derby," writes Ross Leslie.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But it said the latest revisions were based on recent tax cuts for the sector by the chancellor, George Osborne, introduced after the collapse in global oil prices and a linked fall in North Sea productivity, coupled with the steep surge in tax discounts to help the industry pay to decommission its ageing oil platforms.

The Guardian

The decline was the sixth straight quarterly drop in net worth and underscored the battering that families are undergoing in the midst of a steep recession with unemployment surging and the value of their homes and investments plunging.

The New York Times

The decline was the sixth consecutive quarterly drop in net worth and underscored the battering that families are undergoing in the midst of a steep recession, with unemployment surging and the value of their homes and investments plunging.

The New York Times

That surge followed a steep rise in January as well.

The New York Times

There was a possibility an export surge or a steep rise in wages could come to the chancellor's rescue, but analysts said it was more likely the economic situation would deteriorate and he would need to borrow extra funds to maintain government spending.

The Guardian

Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye announced on Monday that she would merge the state criminal courts and supreme courts in the Bronx in a pilot project meant to respond to a steep drop in felonies and a surge in misdemeanors over the past decade.

The New York Times

Prices have surged because of a steep rise in world oil prices over the last two years.

The New York Times

U.S. corporate credit levels surged post crisis after a steep drop.

Forbes

After the terrorist attacks in 2001, the surge in Pentagon spending offset a steep drop in commercial plane sales.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a steep surge", ensure the context clearly indicates what is increasing and the magnitude of the increase is significant. For instance, "The company experienced "a steep surge" in profits after launching its new product line".

Common error

Avoid using "a steep surge" to describe gradual or minor increases. This phrase implies a sudden and substantial change, not a slow and steady progression. For example, saying "There was "a steep surge" in attendance over the past year, with only a 2% increase" would be inaccurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a steep surge" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object to describe a significant and sudden increase. As seen in Ludwig, it is commonly used to highlight a sharp upward trend in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a steep surge" is a noun phrase used to describe a sudden and significant increase. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and best suited for neutral to professional contexts, such as news reports, business analysis, and scientific discussions. While the phrase is not very common, according to Ludwig, it effectively conveys the magnitude and speed of a rise. When using "a steep surge", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is increasing and that the increase is substantial and abrupt. Alternatives such as "a sharp increase" or "a rapid rise" can be used for similar meanings, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sharp increase

Replaces 'steep' with 'sharp', emphasizing the suddenness and intensity of the rise.

a rapid rise

Substitutes 'surge' with 'rise', focusing on the speed of the upward movement.

a sudden spike

Replaces 'steep' with 'sudden' and 'surge' with 'spike', highlighting the abrupt nature of the increase.

a dramatic escalation

Emphasizes the intensity and scale of the increase, implying a significant change.

a marked upturn

Focuses on the positive direction of the change, suggesting a reversal of a previous downward trend.

a substantial jump

Highlights the size and impact of the increase, indicating a significant change in quantity or value.

a significant climb

Similar to "a rapid rise" but emphasizes the continuous upward movement.

a precipitous ascent

Suggests a very rapid and almost uncontrolled upward movement, often implying a potential risk.

a notable augmentation

Formally indicates a considerable increase in size, amount, or degree.

a pronounced growth

Emphasizes the development and expansion aspect of the increase.

FAQs

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

Use "a steep surge" to describe a sudden and significant increase. For example: "The website experienced "a steep surge" in traffic after the celebrity endorsement".

What's the difference between "a steep surge" and /s/a+sharp+increase?

"A steep surge" and "a sharp increase" are similar, but "a steep surge" emphasizes the sudden burst, while "a sharp increase" simply notes a rapid rise.

Is it appropriate to use "a steep surge" in formal writing?

Yes, "a steep surge" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in contexts like business reports or academic papers where you need to describe a significant increase concisely.

What can I say instead of "a steep surge" when describing a decrease?

When describing a decrease, you could use phrases like "a sharp decline", "a rapid drop", or /s/a+precipitous+fall. For instance, instead of a surge, you might see "a precipitous fall" in prices.