a wave of legislation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wave of legislation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large number of laws or regulations being introduced or enacted in a short period of time. Example: "The government introduced a wave of legislation aimed at improving environmental protection and sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The refusal emphasized the Russian government's support for a wave of legislation in cities across the country banning "homosexual propaganda".

The New York Times

"We are going to see a wave of legislation trying to funnel government money to religious schools and programs," he said.

The New York Times

After the G.O.P. won the governor's office in 2012, they launched a wave of legislation to limit ballot access, restrict abortion rights, and open the state to fracking.

The New Yorker

The past decade has seen an evolution of gambling to "gaming," a triumph of euphemism amid a wave of legislation to legalize and destigmatize wagering.

The Washington Post

The agents of this change include veterans of West Bank settlements seeking to establish a presence in shared Jewish-Arab cities in Israel and politicians backing a wave of legislation intended to reduce the rights of Arab citizens.

The New York Times

The situation is now extremely pressing, thanks to a wave of legislation that began in 2010 with Nebraska's "Pain Capable Unborn Protection Act", which bans abortions after 20 weeks with only limited exceptions.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The Indiana bill is part of a wave of recent legislation seeking to guarantee "religious freedom" on the part of organizations or businesses who want to retain the right to discriminate against gay people.

The Washington Post

But it gained traction as the global financial meltdown turned banks into political pariahs, and a wave of populist legislation passed to curtail fees on everything from credit cards to bank overdrafts.

The Washington Post

A wave of reform legislation passed through the United States in the 1970's to repeal ancient statutes making suicide and attempted suicide a crime.

Huffington Post

Numerous politicians of the Workers Partyy were arrested by the government in the subsequent backlash, but a wave of industrial legislation, including reforms to ban child labor and limit working hours, were introduced in the aftermath of the strike.

Wikipedia

The bill was part of a wave of immigration legislation authored by California lawmakers in the wake of Trump's election in a preemptive attempt to "resist" the president's crackdown on immigration.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your language by using synonyms like "flurry", "surge", or "series" to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "a wave of legislation" when describing only a few isolated laws. This phrase implies a significant and comprehensive legislative change, so use more appropriate terms like "new law" or "amendment" when applicable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wave of legislation" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It denotes a significant number of new laws enacted in response to a specific issue or event. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a wave of legislation" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a period marked by the enactment of numerous laws, often in response to a specific issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for formal and neutral contexts, commonly appearing in news reports, academic papers, and other types of writing. Its high frequency in News & Media suggests its relevance in discussing governmental responses and policy changes. While alternatives like "a series of laws" or "a surge of legislation" exist, "a wave of legislation" is widely accepted and understood. When using this phrase, it is best to ensure the context clearly specifies the area affected by these laws to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a series of laws

This alternative focuses on the sequential nature of the laws, similar to a wave.

a flurry of new laws

Replaces "wave" with "flurry", highlighting the rapid and sudden introduction of laws.

a surge of legislation

Uses "surge" instead of "wave", conveying a strong and sudden increase in legislative activity.

a legislative push

This emphasizes the active effort to enact laws, differing from the passive nature of a wave.

a raft of new regulations

Substitutes "legislation" with "regulations", specifying the type of legal measures.

a stream of bills

Emphasizes the continuous flow of bills being introduced, similar to a wave.

a burst of legal activity

Replaces "wave of legislation" with a more generic description of legal activity.

an increase in legal measures

This option is less figurative, opting for a literal description of increased legal activity.

a period of intense lawmaking

Focuses on the timeframe and the activity of creating laws.

new laws being enacted

Describes simply the result, without the imagery of a wave.

FAQs

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

You can use "a wave of legislation" to describe numerous new laws enacted in a short period, for example: "The government responded to the crisis with "a wave of legislation" aimed at stabilizing the economy."

What are some alternatives to "a wave of legislation"?

Alternatives include "a series of laws", "a flurry of new laws", or "a surge of legislation", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

Yes, "a wave of legislation" is suitable for formal writing. It is frequently used in news reports, academic papers, and business documents to describe significant legislative changes.

What does "a wave of legislation" imply about the laws being described?

"A wave of legislation" implies that the laws are numerous, often related to a specific issue, and introduced within a relatively short timeframe. It suggests a significant shift or response to a particular situation.