a wave of excitement

USAGE SUMMARY

"a wave of excitement" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it any time you want to describe an emotional surge, especially when talking about a collective feeling. For example, "There was a wave of excitement as the crowd rushed to the stage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Market indexes in New York initially moved higher as a wave of excitement about the rescue package swept Wall Street.

The New York Times

This event, more than any other, promises to inject an electric current into the Games and send a wave of excitement cascading over the capital.

The Guardian - Sport

A group of them had roamed into the expansive grounds of Ulpotha village, giving Suzi the jitters and sending a wave of excitement through the guests.

The Guardian - Travel

The news, reported in all major English-language newspapers in India and by the national press agency, has prompted a wave of excitement.

The Guardian

As the train pulled into Wembley Park, the Tannoy message rang out, 'This train will terminate here', which sent a wave of excitement through Hreidarsson's family.

The Guardian - Sport

If Affleck had been announced as director there would, I think, be a wave of excitement among fans, rather than the current rather mixed reaction.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

This news was warmly greeted by literature lovers, short-story advocates, late-blooming aspiring fiction writers (Munro published her first collection of short stories at age 37) and, perhaps most of all, Canadians, unleashing a wave of national excitement last experienced when Ben Johnson broke the ribbon in the 100-meter dash at the Seoul Olympics in 1988.

The New York Times

He said there can be a 5 to 15percentt falloff, particularly in a presidential year when first-time voters ride a wave of participatory excitement over the top names, but do not vote in local races that are farther down the ballot.

The New York Times

Back then cars were really important, and the Ford 1965 Mustang, introduced at the New York World's Fair in April 1964, created a wave of car excitement in America never seen before or since.

Forbes

They were blown away by it and we felt like we were on a wave of new excitement.

Vice

ALMOST exactly 40 years after the original TV series was canceled by NBC for low ratings, the 11th feature film based on or spun off "Star Trek" has arrived on a wave (I suppose I should say a photon wave) of excitement and fanfare.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a wave of excitement" to depict a widespread feeling or reaction to an event, announcement, or prospect. It's particularly effective when describing collective emotions in a group or community.

Common error

Avoid using "a wave of excitement" for minor instances of happiness. This phrase implies a significant surge of emotion, so it's best reserved for situations where the feeling is truly palpable and widespread.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wave of excitement" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing a shared or widespread feeling. Examples show it depicting reactions to events, announcements, or prospects.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

9%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wave of excitement" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that describes a widespread feeling of enthusiasm or anticipation. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that it’s versatile enough for both formal and informal contexts, though it's most frequently found in news and media. Remember to use this phrase when you want to depict a significant surge of collective emotion, avoiding its application to minor instances. Alternatives like "a surge of enthusiasm" or "a groundswell of anticipation" can provide slight variations in meaning depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surge of enthusiasm

Focuses more on the intensity of feeling and uses a different noun.

a rush of exhilaration

Focuses on the feeling of exhilaration, a more intense form of excitement.

a groundswell of anticipation

Emphasizes the growing nature of the feeling and the anticipation involved.

a tide of eagerness

Changes the metaphor to a "tide", suggesting a stronger, more irresistible force and uses "eagerness" instead of "excitement".

a ripple of thrill

Uses "ripple" to imply a gentler, more widespread feeling and replaces "excitement" with "thrill".

a swell of delight

Replaces "excitement" with "delight" to describe more gentle happiness.

a flush of elation

Replaces "excitement" with "elation" to convey a feeling of great happiness

a tremor of anticipation

Implies a smaller, more subtle feeling of anticipation.

a sudden burst of enthusiasm

Replaces "wave" with "burst" to give a sensation of sudden appearance of enthusiasm

a spark of anticipation

Uses "spark" to imply an initial or small amount of anticipation.

FAQs

How can I use "a wave of excitement" in a sentence?

You can use "a wave of excitement" to describe a shared feeling, for instance: "A wave of excitement swept through the crowd when the band took the stage."

What can I say instead of "a wave of excitement"?

You can use alternatives like "a surge of enthusiasm", "a groundswell of anticipation", or "a rush of exhilaration" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "a wave of excitement" is appropriate for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely used in reputable sources like news media and academic publications. However, consider the tone and context to ensure it fits the overall style.

What's the difference between "a wave of excitement" and "a burst of excitement"?

"A wave of excitement" implies a more sustained and widespread feeling, while "a burst of excitement" suggests a sudden, short-lived surge of emotion.