a sudden surge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sudden surge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quick and unexpected increase in something, such as emotions, activity, or numbers. Example: "There was a sudden surge of excitement in the crowd when the band took the stage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is also geometry at varying speeds, because when gaps appear there will be a sudden surge of velocity.

BBC

The T cells activated by SAg rapidly produce large amounts of cytokines and chemokines resulting in a sudden surge in the systemic levels of these biological mediators.

Plosone

He felt a sudden surge of anger.

The New York Times - Books

What a sudden surge by France this has been!

The Guardian - Sport

But I felt a sudden surge of anxiety.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Across the river, a sudden surge of energy and optimism.

The Guardian - Arts

Nor has there been a sudden surge of humanity.

The Guardian - Opinion

A sudden surge in demand for the euro would cause it to appreciate rapidly.

The Economist

A sudden surge in selling would most likely ripple violently through global markets.

The New York Times

See articleSpain reported a sudden surge in illegal immigrants entering by boat from Morocco.

The Economist

There is little sign so far of a sudden surge in funding from other European governments.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or changes, use "a sudden surge" to highlight an unexpected and rapid increase, creating a sense of urgency or surprise.

Common error

While "a sudden surge" effectively conveys a rapid increase, avoid overuse in formal contexts. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "spike", "uptick", or "escalation" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sudden surge" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes a quick and unexpected increase. Examples show it describing changes in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sudden surge" is a frequently used noun phrase that indicates a rapid and unexpected increase. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's commonly found in news and scientific contexts, conveying immediacy and potential impact. While versatile, avoid overuse in formal writing by considering synonyms like "spike" or "uptick". Remember that "a sudden surge" highlights the speed and unexpected nature of the increase, setting it apart from more gradual changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sudden upswing

Highlights direction, replacing surge to upswing, and keeping "sudden" for emphasis.

an unexpected upswing

Replaces "surge" with "upswing" and "sudden" with "unexpected", focusing on the positive direction of the change.

a rapid escalation

Emphasizes the speed and intensity of the increase, using "escalation" instead of "surge".

an abrupt upturn

Similar to "an unexpected upswing", but uses "upturn" and "abrupt" emphasizing the suddenness.

a quick spike

Uses a more informal term, "spike", to describe a sharp, sudden increase.

a precipitous climb

Highlights the steepness of the increase, using "precipitous" to suggest a rapid and potentially uncontrolled rise.

a swift upsurge

Combines "swift" and "upsurge" to emphasize both speed and increase.

a marked increase

Uses a more neutral term "marked increase" to replace the colorful "surge".

an immediate boost

Focuses on the positive effect of the increase, using "boost" instead of "surge".

a sharp uptrend

Uses financial terminology, "uptrend", to describe a general increase over a period of time that happens quickly.

FAQs

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

You can use "a sudden surge" to describe a rapid increase in something. For example, "There was a sudden surge of interest in the stock market" or "The company experienced a sudden surge in sales after the new product launch".

What can I say instead of "a sudden surge"?

You can use alternatives like "a rapid increase", "an abrupt rise", or "a quick spike" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a surge that was sudden" instead of "a sudden surge"?

While grammatically correct, "a surge that was sudden" is less concise and impactful than "a sudden surge". The latter is the more common and preferred phrasing.

What's the difference between "a sudden surge" and "a gradual increase"?

"A sudden surge" describes a rapid and unexpected increase, while "a gradual increase" implies a slow and steady rise over time. The choice depends on the nature of the change you're describing.