a wave of resignations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wave of resignations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and large number of people resigning from their positions, often within an organization or industry. Example: "The company faced a wave of resignations after the announcement of the new policy changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

A wave of resignations culminated in the withdrawal of Pres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A wave of resignations might be perfect for a city that needs to re-examine its expenditures.

The New York Times

The budget was passed by just two votes in February amid a wave of resignations and deselections.

The Guardian - Opinion

The massacre prompted a wave of resignations: ministers, officials, ambassadors, and even the country's most powerful military general defected.

The New Yorker

A wave of resignations followed, with seven ministers and 40 members of Mr Ecevit's parliamentary party deserting him.What has allowed Mr Ecevit to cling to power is the fact that there are few palatable political options facing Turkey.

The Economist

Indeed, German politics experienced a wave of resignations that culminated in those of the Hessian prime minister, Roland Koch, and President Köhler (whose office was filled by Jens Böhrnsen until an election could be held).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Remember this: it's way better to spend a night as Berlusconi than a life as a sucker!" As the demonstration was coming to an end, I felt a wave of resignation wash over me.

Vice

A wave of retirements, resignations, transfers and reforms ensued.

The New York Times

He joined Sony in 1996, just two years after the Japanese parent company took a loss of $3.2 billion on its Hollywood operations because of poor box-office results, rising costs and a wave of executive resignations.

The New York Times

Several of his supporters spoke up to back his formation of a new shadow cabinet, after a wave of 40 resignations from his top team over the course of Sunday and Monday.

The Guardian

He was brought in to provide steadiness after the brief and contentious tenure of Franz Xaver Ohnesorg, whose autocratic management style provoked a wave of staff resignations and pervasive insecurity among those who remained.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a wave of resignations" when you want to emphasize the sudden and overwhelming nature of numerous people leaving their positions. Be mindful of the context, as it often implies instability or dissatisfaction within an organization.

Common error

Avoid using "a wave of resignations" when a more neutral term like "several resignations" or "a number of departures" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a connotation of crisis or upheaval that may not always be accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wave of resignations" functions as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject or object in a sentence, describing a specific event or situation. Ludwig AI validates its usage, exemplified by sentences across various sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wave of resignations" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase denoting a significant number of people leaving their positions, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's most commonly found in news and encyclopedic contexts. While the phrase is appropriate for formal writing, care should be taken to ensure that its tone is aligned with the intended message, as it often carries implications of disruption or crisis. Alternatives such as "a string of resignations" or "several resignations" may be more suitable in neutral contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a string of resignations

Emphasizes a series of departures, one after another.

a flurry of resignations

Suggests a sudden and perhaps chaotic burst of departures.

a cascade of resignations

Implies a chain reaction where one resignation triggers others.

mass resignations

Focuses on the large scale and collective nature of the departures.

a series of departures

A more neutral way to describe multiple people leaving.

a surge of resignations

Highlights the sudden increase in the number of resignations.

an exodus of employees

Suggests a large-scale departure, often implying a negative reason.

a mass walkout

Implies a coordinated and often protest-driven departure.

a host of resignations

Implies a large and possibly overwhelming number of resignations.

multiple resignations

A straightforward way to describe more than one person resigning.

FAQs

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

You can use "a wave of resignations" to describe a situation where many people leave their jobs at the same time. For example: "The company experienced a wave of resignations after the CEO's controversial decision."

What's a less dramatic alternative to "a wave of resignations"?

If you want to avoid implying a crisis, you could use phrases like "several resignations" or "a number of departures". These are more neutral and don't necessarily suggest a negative situation.

What's the difference between "a wave of resignations" and "mass resignations"?

"A wave of resignations" suggests a sudden and widespread occurrence, like a ripple effect. "Mass resignations", on the other hand, emphasizes the large number of people resigning, potentially in a more coordinated fashion.

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

Yes, "a wave of resignations" is appropriate in formal writing, particularly when describing a significant event affecting an organization or industry. However, consider the tone and whether a more neutral alternative would be more suitable, depending on the specific context.