by a wave of

USAGE SUMMARY

"by a wave of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when you want to describe a sudden outburst of emotion or physical movement, such as: "The crowd erupted into a loud cheer, propelled by a wave of enthusiasm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An eruption of anti-vaccine sentiment in Nigeria a decade ago, followed by a wave of infections, made that clear.

The New Yorker

I was then taken over by a wave of emotions.

The Guardian

Easter is being consumed by a wave of introspection.

The Times

New Labour was propelled by a wave of liberal guilt.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was interrupted by a wave of applause.

The New Yorker

Like previous peace efforts here, this one has been greeted by a wave of violence.

The New York Times

Brazil has also been hit by a wave of strikes in recent weeks.

The Guardian

Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories have been convulsed by a wave of escalating violence.

The Guardian

"Today I've been attacked by a wave of nostalgia," she says.

The Guardian

He has promised to work to rebuild investor confidence shaken by a wave of corporate scandals.

The New York Times

Intel, based in Santa Clara, Calif., has been buoyed lately by a wave of new products.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by a wave of" to vividly describe a sudden, overwhelming experience or phenomenon, whether it's emotional, physical, or societal. Consider the specific connotation you want to convey – is it positive, negative, or neutral?

Common error

Avoid using "by a wave of" in contexts where a literal wave is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The city was affected by a wave of flooding", it's clearer to say "The city was affected by flooding."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by a wave of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase. It modifies a verb, indicating how or why something is affected or influenced, often connoting a sudden and overwhelming impact, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by a wave of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to describe a sudden and overwhelming impact or influence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing with this phrase, consider whether it accurately captures the intensity and suddenness of the event you are describing. While suitable for both formal and informal writing, it's important to avoid misusing it in literal contexts where a different phrasing would be more appropriate. Alternatives like "engulfed by" or "overwhelmed by" can offer similar meanings with slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hit by a surge of

Emphasizes the sudden and impactful nature of the experience.

overwhelmed by

Indicates a feeling of being overpowered, whether emotionally or physically.

engulfed by

Changes the prepositional structure to emphasize being completely surrounded or overcome.

swept up in

Conveys the feeling of being carried away by a powerful movement or trend.

faced with a torrent of

Uses "torrent" to illustrate an overwhelming stream or outpouring.

inundated with

Suggests being flooded or overwhelmed with a large quantity of something.

gripped by

Indicates a strong and compelling hold.

consumed by

Suggests being completely taken over or preoccupied.

confronted with an upsurge in

Highlights the act of facing a rising quantity or intensity.

attacked by

Implies a sudden and forceful impact, often used in the context of emotions.

FAQs

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

Use "by a wave of" to describe being suddenly or overwhelmingly affected by something, such as "The company was hit "by a wave of" negative publicity" or "She was overcome "by a wave of" nostalgia".

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "engulfed by", "overwhelmed by", or "hit by a surge of".

Is "by a wave of" formal or informal?

"By a wave of" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally more common in news reporting and descriptive writing. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when deciding whether to use this phrase.

Which is the correct option, "by a wave of" or "with a wave of"?

"By a wave of" and "with a wave of" have different meanings. "By a wave of" indicates being affected or influenced, while "with a wave of" refers to a gesture. For example, "He greeted her with a wave of his hand" describes an action, while "The market was shaken "by a wave of" selling" describes an effect.