a string of rapes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a string of rapes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a series of incidents involving sexual assault or rape, often in a news or academic context. Example: "The investigation revealed a string of rapes that occurred over several months in the area, prompting community outrage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

About a decade later, Matias Reyes, who had been convicted of a string of rapes on the Upper East Side that same summer, bumped into one of the Central Park Five, Kharey Wise, in an upstate prison.

The New York Times

Far more threatening are events in Lazio, the region around Rome, which has seen a string of rapes.

The Economist

10 P.M. (NBC LAWW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT A string of rapes in SoHo inspires the organization of a crime watch group focusing on both the neighborhood and the New York Police Department.

The New York Times

Mark Madrell, 37, showed "not an ounce of remorse" despite admitting a string of rapes, sexual assaults on young girls and grooming offences over a prolonged period, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Independent

About a decade later, Matias Reyes, who had been convicted of a string of rapes on the Upper East Side that same summer, encountered one of the Central Park Five, Kharey Wise, in an upstate prison.

The New York Times

Since 1995 he had been accused of nine sexual offences, including a string of rapes, an indecent assault of an 11-year-old girl, and unlawful sexual intercourse with four young girls.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

At its greasiest, "SVU" becomes a string of rape fantasies, justified by healing truisms.

The New Yorker

Case in point: Take Britain's Merseyside Police, who saw no issue participating in an online exchange about soccer and encouraging a string of rape jokes.

Vice

An outcry over a string of recent rapes has shattered that silence.

The New York Times

They were an attractive, apparently happy couple, but, in 1993, Canadian authorities began to suspect Bernardo in a string of unsolved rapes.

The New Yorker

But an outcry over a string of recent rapes, including this one, in the northern state of Haryana, has shattered that silence, focusing national attention on India's rising number of sexual assaults while also exposing the conservative, male-dominated power structure in Haryana, where rape victims are often treated with callous disregard.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on "a string of rapes", prioritize sensitivity and accuracy. Provide context without sensationalizing the events.

Common error

Avoid using overly dramatic or emotionally charged language when describing "a string of rapes". Maintain a neutral and factual tone to prevent further traumatizing victims and sensationalizing the crime.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a string of rapes" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object in a sentence, describing a sequence or series of connected rape incidents. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a string of rapes" is a grammatically sound and commonly used term, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, primarily within news and media contexts to describe a series of related rape incidents. While grammatically correct, it's crucial to employ this phrase with sensitivity and accuracy, avoiding sensationalism. Alternatives like "a series of rapes" or "a wave of rapes" can offer slight variations in emphasis. Understanding its purpose, register, and related phrases ensures responsible and effective communication on this sensitive topic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a series of rapes

Uses "series" instead of "string", a minor change in wording with nearly identical meaning.

a wave of rapes

Employs "wave" to convey a surge or increase in rape incidents, altering the imagery while retaining the core concept.

a spate of rapes

Substitutes "spate" to suggest a sudden, intense occurrence of rapes, slightly emphasizing the abruptness.

multiple rapes

Uses "multiple" to emphasize the quantity of rapes, offering a more direct numerical focus.

several rapes

Similar to "multiple rapes", this highlights the occurrence of more than one rape, focusing on quantity.

a cluster of rapes

Replaces "string" with "cluster" to portray a grouping or concentration of rape incidents.

a chain of rapes

Interchanges "string" with "chain" maintaining the sense of interconnected events.

repeated rapes

Focuses on the repetitive nature of the rapes, shifting the emphasis to the recurrence.

successive rapes

Highlights that the rapes followed one after another, stressing the sequential aspect.

a pattern of rapes

Emphasizes that there is a recognizable and consistent manner in which the rapes are happening, focusing on a predictable sequence.

FAQs

How can I use "a string of rapes" in a sentence?

You can use "a string of rapes" to describe a series of connected rape incidents, as in, "The investigation uncovered "a string of rapes" committed by the same perpetrator."

What are some alternatives to saying "a string of rapes"?

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

Is it appropriate to use the phrase "a string of rapes" in formal writing?

Yes, it is appropriate in formal writing, especially in news reports, academic analyses, and legal documents, provided it is used accurately and sensitively.

What's the difference between "a string of rapes" and "a series of rapes"?

The phrases "a string of rapes" and "a series of rapes" are largely interchangeable. Both describe multiple rape incidents, with "string" implying a connection or sequence, similar to "series".