a widespread wave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a widespread wave" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large-scale movement or trend that is affecting many people or areas. Example: "The recent environmental awareness campaign has sparked a widespread wave of activism among young people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

As a widespread wave of nationalism has taken hold, large swaths of Egypt's state and private media have backed the government, but journalists who have questioned its direction have been targeted in the crackdown.

The Guardian

Michigan's state House passed its own version of an anti-bullying Thursday, smoothing over the language in a bill passed by the Senate last week that sparked a widespread wave of criticism.

Huffington Post

It is important to note that, given the intrinsic limitations of source analysis of scalp EEG signals (Mouraux and Iannetti 2008), it is difficult to reliably identify the source of a widespread wave such as the N2.

Cerebral Cortex

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

His toilet talk may yet appeal more than the Gandhis' paternalism.Whatever happens in Amethi, his visit helped to put over the idea of a widespread "Modi wave".

The Economist

Together, the enabling dynamics and entrepreneurial community have converged to usher in the first widespread wave of SaaS 2.0 innovation against an established SaaS category.

TechCrunch

The most amazing one I witnessed was the overthrow of the King of Nepal, which was followed by a memorable outburst of popular celebration in the streets of Kathmandu — the "democratic" opposition included the Maoists, so the new democracy was celebrated by the widespread waving of hammers and sickles!

The New Yorker

The U.S. warmth this year has been propelled by a widespread March heat wave, the warmest spring on record, and the third-hottest summer on record.

Huffington Post

If sales of the book are a good measure, the authors seem to have caught the wave of a widespread malaise here.

The New York Times

Furthermore, EMG discloses signs of denervation like fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves in a widespread distribution.

Critical Care

When the euphoric wave inevitably collapsed, the public experienced a widespread fear that ultimately disabled the markets.

Huffington Post

These may have been the first wave of people who have died in a widespread fashion from the unintended effects of climate change.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a widespread wave", ensure that the context clearly indicates a significant and broad movement or trend. For example, "The new policy triggered a widespread wave of protests."

Common error

Avoid using "a widespread wave" to describe localized or minor events. This phrase suggests a significant and broad impact, so ensure that your chosen context accurately reflects this scale.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a widespread wave" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a large-scale movement or trend impacting many areas. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a widespread wave" is a noun phrase used to describe a broad trend or movement. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable. It commonly appears in news and scientific contexts and serves to emphasize the scale and reach of the phenomenon being described. While grammatically sound, the phrase is relatively rare in occurrence. When employing "a widespread wave", writers should ensure the context clearly demonstrates a significant and broad impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rising tide

Uses a metaphor to describe a gradually increasing influence or effect across a broad area.

a prevalent trend

Replaces "wave" with "trend", focusing on the directional aspect of widespread adoption or change.

a sweeping movement

Highlights the comprehensive and extensive nature of a movement.

a common surge

Substitutes "widespread" with "common" and "wave" with "surge", highlighting the sudden increase or rise that is generally known.

a broad upswing

Emphasizes the upward trajectory and general scope of the movement.

a general increase

Focuses on the growth or rise in something, without specific emphasis on a wave-like pattern.

an extensive phenomenon

Replaces the dynamic term "wave" with a static term "phenomenon", referring to something observed to exist or happen.

a growing consensus

Focuses on agreement among a large group, implying a widespread adoption of a belief or idea.

a rampant outbreak

Implies a sudden and uncontrolled spread, typically used for negative phenomena like disease or crime.

a far-reaching effect

Shifts the focus to the impact or consequence of something being widespread.

FAQs

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

You can use "a widespread wave" to describe a broad trend or movement affecting many people or areas. For example, "The environmental campaign sparked "a widespread wave" of activism."

What are some alternatives to "a widespread wave"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a prevalent trend", "a sweeping movement", or "a rising tide", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a widespread wave" or "a common wave"?

"A widespread wave" emphasizes the breadth and reach of the phenomenon, while "a common wave" simply suggests it's frequently encountered. The better choice depends on whether you wish to stress the pervasiveness or the frequency of the trend.

Can "a widespread wave" be used in negative contexts?

Yes, "a widespread wave" can describe negative phenomena such as crime or disease. An example would be "The economic downturn led to "a widespread wave" of job losses."