a vast wave

USAGE SUMMARY

"a vast wave" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to provide a vivid description of something, especially when it refers to a large mass of something, such as water. For example, "The ship was struck by a vast wave that threatened to capsize it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Mr. Obama rode into office on a vast wave of progressive enthusiasm.

The New York Times

Scientists have found a vast wave of hot gas in the Perseus galaxy cluster spanning some 200,000 light years.

Harvard University

"The discontent has a great destructive power and can unleash a vast wave of violence throughout society".

The New York Times

With taxes on the wealthy on the political radar, we're going to drowning in a vast wave of double-talk and smothered by vast amounts of fuzzy math.

The New York Times

These problems renewed fears that a vast wave of damaged commercial loans would course through banks — including Citigroup — already hit by a tsunami of toxic mortgage products.

The New York Times

"But once I was there it was like a mirage, as if we were all caught up in a vast wave".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"Bye bye, Mugabe, bye bye!" they chanted in unison, palms aloft in a vast, synchronized wave.

The New York Times

The head of Uefa, a body tasked with resolving Russia's and England's disciplinary problems while at the mercy of a vast breaking wave of interests, is also Fifa head of Russia's World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

Still, while "Surrounded Islands" may be widely celebrated today as a transcendent experience — and a celebratory turning point for a city then reeling from a vast crime wave, recurring racial violence and endemic civic corruption — support for it was anything but universal in May 1983.

The New York Times - Arts

A case scheduled to be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court this fall could determine whether lawyers can file a vast new wave of lawsuits on behalf of consumers who haven't actually suffered any damages.

Forbes

By some estimates, more than 600,000 illegal migrants are waiting on the southern Mediterranean shore, hoping to embark for a better life.A report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime, a Geneva-based lobby, documents the routes taken by this vast wave of migrants, as well as their origins and means of transport.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a vast wave" to describe a large-scale movement or surge, whether physical (like a wave of water) or metaphorical (like a wave of public opinion). Consider the context to ensure the image of a 'wave' appropriately conveys the scale and impact you intend.

Common error

Don't use "a vast wave" merely as an intensifier without a clear connection to the concept of a 'wave'. The phrase is most effective when it evokes the imagery of a large, powerful, and potentially overwhelming force.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vast wave" functions as a noun phrase, where "vast" modifies the noun "wave". It often serves as a subject or object in a sentence, describing something large and powerful. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a vast wave" is a versatile phrase used to describe something substantial and overwhelming. It functions primarily as a noun phrase, often emphasizing scale or impact and is prevalent in news media, but is also found in academic and scientific contexts, per the examples found by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct, remember to use this expression thoughtfully and be aware of its figurative nature. Consider alternatives to "a vast wave", such as "an immense surge" or "a tremendous outpouring", to precisely communicate your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an immense surge

Replaces 'vast' with 'immense' and 'wave' with 'surge', emphasizing the sudden and powerful nature of the increase.

a tremendous outpouring

Substitutes 'wave' with 'outpouring' to suggest a release or flow of something in great quantity.

a great swell

Uses 'great' instead of 'vast', and 'swell' to imply a gradual increase in size or intensity.

a massive influx

Replaces 'wave' with 'influx' to denote a large-scale arrival or entry of something.

a sweeping tide

Uses 'sweeping' and 'tide' to emphasize the broad and pervasive nature of the phenomenon.

an extensive surge

Replace vast with 'extensive' and wave with 'surge', focuses on the scale and the force of the wave.

a wholesale shift

Replaces 'wave' with 'shift' to indicate a complete or large-scale change.

a sea change

Employs a metaphorical expression indicating a significant transformation or alteration.

a tidal shift

Replace wave with 'shift' and uses 'tidal' to imply something related to the influence or movement of the sea.

a broad current

Replaces 'wave' with 'current', suggesting a continuous and widespread movement or influence.

FAQs

How can I use "a vast wave" in a sentence?

You can use "a vast wave" to describe something immense and sweeping, whether it's a literal surge of water or a metaphorical surge of something else. For example, "A vast wave of support" followed the candidate's announcement.

What are some alternatives to saying "a vast wave"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "an immense surge", "a tremendous outpouring", or "a sea change" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "a vast wave" in formal writing?

Yes, "a vast wave" can be used in formal writing, especially when describing large-scale events or trends. However, ensure that the imagery fits the tone and subject matter of your writing.

What's the difference between "a vast wave" and "a tidal wave"?

"A tidal wave" specifically refers to a large ocean wave caused by seismic activity or other underwater disturbances. "A vast wave" is a more general term that can be used to describe any large-scale movement or surge, whether literal or metaphorical.