a surging number of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a surging number of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a large increase or growth in the number of something. For example, "The outbreak of the virus has caused a surging number of cases in the surrounding area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But the border guards were outmatched by a surging number of Mexican nationals seeking to escape their own depressed economy.

The New Yorker

The Mexican authorities report that a surging number of migrants from all around the world are traveling through Mexico to get to the United States.

The New York Times

Though the country has a surging number of young people eager to play the game, the education system provides few opportunities to experiment on the field.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Mohan, 18, is now one of a surging number of Indian students attending American colleges and universities, as competition in India has grown formidable, even for the best students.

The New York Times

BEIJING — Chinese court officials say they are struggling to handle a surging number of labor dispute cases that have arisen in part because of the global financial crisis, according to a report on Wednesday in China Daily, an official English-language newspaper.

The New York Times

But Mexican officials report a surging number of Ecuadoreans intercepted along their border with Guatemala.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

In 2010 more than 1.2m students joined, about 40% of the total (see chart).In this section Bridging the fiscal chasm Rushing to join Thin ice ReprintsThe rise is partly the result of a surging overall number of students.

The Economist

The GMAT has in the past year seen a surge: the number of tests administered rose 15% from 2000 to 2001, to over 236,000.

The Economist

Within the fortnight of the show's launch, MI5 noted a surge in a number of applications to the organisation as a result of the series.

Wikipedia

As a result of the series, MI5's website saw a surge in a number of applications to the organisation by viewers.

Wikipedia

The Department for the Environment (Defra) had planned to spend £375,000 on testing control measures for buzzards, after complaints that a surge in numbers of the protected bird of prey was leading to too many pheasant chicks being killed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "a surging number of" with specific details about the increase, such as percentage changes or comparative figures. This adds precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a surging number of" if the increase is only marginal or statistically insignificant. Reserve this phrase for substantial and noticeable growth to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a surging number of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a significant increase in its quantity. This phrase adds emphasis to the growth being described. Ludwig AI confirms that is perfectly acceptable and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a surging number of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a significant increase in quantity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted in various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and formal business settings. While its frequency is categorized as "uncommon", authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ it. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what is increasing to avoid ambiguity and maximize the impact. Alternatives such as "a sharp increase in" or "a significant rise in" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a notable surge in

Emphasizes the sudden and significant increase, using "notable surge".

a sharp increase in

Replaces "surging number" with "sharp increase", focusing on the rapid rise.

a rapid growth of

Substitutes "surging number" with "rapid growth", highlighting the expansion aspect.

a significant rise in

Replaces "surging number" with "significant rise", emphasizing the importance of the increase.

a marked escalation in

Uses "marked escalation" instead of "surging number", indicating a clear and noticeable increase.

a steep climb in

Replaces "surging number" with "steep climb", suggesting a sharp and upward trend.

a burgeoning amount of

Uses "burgeoning amount" instead of "surging number", indicating a flourishing or rapidly developing quantity.

an exponential increase in

Highlights a very rapid and accelerating growth.

a proliferating set of

Emphasizes the rapid spread and multiplication of something.

a mushrooming quantity of

Indicates a rapid and widespread increase, like mushrooms sprouting.

FAQs

How can I use "a surging number of" in a sentence?

You can use "a surging number of" to describe a significant increase in quantity. For example, "There has been a surging number of applications this year."

What's a good alternative to "a surging number of"?

Alternatives include "a sharp increase in", "a significant rise in", or "a notable surge in", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a surging number of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a surging number of" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in news reporting, academic papers, and business reports, as it clearly conveys a substantial increase.

What words usually follow "a surging number of"?

Typically, "a surging number of" is followed by a noun that specifies what is increasing, such as "students", "cases", or "applications".