a swell of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a swell of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden increase or surge of something, often emotions or physical sensations. Example: "As the music played, there was a swell of excitement in the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A swell of boos and jeers built.

The New York Times - Science

Thinking of this, Hadley felt a swell of elation.

The New Yorker

They're a swell of grotesque dough that balloons out horizontally.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In response I expected compassion, a swell of fellow feeling.

The Guardian - Opinion

You can sense a swell of impatience beginning to rise.

The Guardian

He leveraged online media to attract volunteers and donors, building a swell of grassroots support.

Harvard University

The laws encouraging them did not create a swell of new companies.

Yale University

The light changed, and a swell of commuters surged toward him.

The New Yorker

On the other hand, Mr Huckabee has been buoyed by a swell of largely-positive coverage.

The Economist

"We don't want an inside job in Washington," Mr. Obama said to a swell of cheers.

The New York Times

And he was rewarded with a swell of support from the anybody-but-Mitt-Romney crowd.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a swell of" to vividly describe a noticeable increase or surge, whether in emotions, support, or physical phenomena. It adds a sense of momentum and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a swell of" excessively in formal or academic writing where a more neutral term like "increase" or "rise" might be more appropriate. Consider the tone and audience when making your choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a swell of" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a determiner followed by a noun, often to describe an increase or surge in something. Ludwig AI's examples demonstrate its application in various contexts, from emotions to physical phenomena.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

18%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a swell of" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe a sudden increase or surge. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and demonstrates its frequent usage across diverse contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the audience and tone to determine the appropriateness of its usage. Alternatives such as "a surge of" or "a wave of" may be more suitable in formal settings. Remember to use "a swell of" to vividly portray an intensifying moment or feeling, adding impact and momentum to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surge of

Replaces "swell" with "surge", implying a sudden and powerful increase.

a wave of

Substitutes "swell" with "wave", suggesting a gradual and increasing motion or feeling.

a groundswell of

Adds "groundswell" to emphasize a widespread and spontaneous increase, often in public opinion or support.

a rising tide of

Emphasizes the gradual and unstoppable nature of the increase, similar to a tide.

an upsurge in

Replaces the noun phrase with a prepositional phrase using "upsurge", indicating a sudden rise.

a growing number of

Focuses on the numerical increase rather than the intensity of the increase.

an increasing amount of

Highlights the quantity or extent of the increase.

a proliferation of

Suggests a rapid and widespread increase, often used for negative or undesirable things.

a heightened sense of

Focuses on the intensification of a feeling or sensation.

a marked increase in

Indicates a noticeable and significant rise in something.

FAQs

How can I use "a swell of" in a sentence?

Use "a swell of" to describe a sudden increase or surge. For example: "There was a swell of excitement as the band took the stage."

What can I say instead of "a swell of"?

You can use alternatives like "a surge of", "a wave of", or "a rising tide of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a swell of emotions"?

Yes, it is correct. "A swell of emotions" is a common and accepted usage, indicating a sudden and strong surge of feelings.

What's the difference between "a swell of" and "a rise of"?

"A swell of" suggests a more dynamic and emotional increase, whereas "a rise of" typically indicates a more gradual or measurable increase.