erupt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "erupt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden release of energy, often in the context of a volcano or an emotional outburst. Example: "The volcano began to erupt, sending ash and lava into the sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The union is also under fire for failing to acknowlede that it had awarded the hikes, which has sparked a major internal row in the ranks of the organisation that represents 154,000 of the UK's 234,000 registered working doctors that is likely to erupt at its annual conference later this month.

The Guardian

Battles over water and food will erupt within the next five to 10 years as a result of climate change, the president of the World Bank said as he urged those campaigning against global warming to learn the lessons of how protesters and scientists joined forces in the battle against HIV.

The Guardian

"It's going to erupt to a great extent because of these inequalities.

The Guardian

"The whole country is going to erupt in jubilation.

The Guardian

"What we have found is that because of smartphones and access to media, and because everybody knows how everyone else lives, you have no idea where the next huge social movement is going to erupt.

The Guardian

This in effect would mean that some form of governance will actually exist on Syrian soil when Assad's regime falls, and this is probably to off-set any chaos that might erupt.

The Guardian

I looked over towards the boggy ground I would have to tackle should I choose the bothy, then towards the blistering purple sunset just beginning to erupt along the horizon beyond the beach, and made my decision.

The Guardian - Travel

Whenever someone in that house cooks one of their special dinners, you know a major incident is about to erupt.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

AS THE neatly-taken header of Hamid Estili floats past the despairing grasp of America's goalkeeper, Iran's soccer fans erupt in celebration.

The Economist

Mr Cain is a Baptist preacher and motivational speaker: he can fire up an audience, stoke it to its feet and have it erupt with fist-pumping cheers.

The Economist

Perhaps military fireworks will erupt around that date.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "erupt" to vividly describe sudden and forceful occurrences, whether physical (like a volcano) or emotional (like anger).

Common error

Avoid using "erupt" interchangeably with weaker verbs like "appear" or "happen". "Erupt" implies a sudden and forceful event, so ensure the context warrants this level of intensity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "erupt" is as an intransitive verb, denoting a sudden and forceful breaking out or bursting forth. Ludwig shows many examples where "erupt" is used to describe both literal eruptions (volcanoes) and figurative ones (emotions, conflicts).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "erupt" functions as a verb signifying a sudden and forceful breaking out. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media. When writing, use "erupt" to effectively convey the intensity and unexpected nature of events, whether literal eruptions or figurative outbreaks. Common errors include using it in place of weaker verbs. Alternatives such as ""explode"" or ""burst forth"" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explode

Implies a sudden and violent release of energy or emotion.

break out

Focuses on the sudden start of something, often unpleasant like a conflict or disease.

burst forth

Emphasizes a sudden and energetic release or emergence.

unleash

Highlights the release of something previously restrained or controlled.

flare up

Suggests a sudden intensification, often of negative emotions or situations.

break through

Highlights the forceful overcoming of an obstacle or barrier.

spew forth

Indicates the forceful expulsion of something, often in large quantities.

irrupt

Describes a sudden and forceful invasion or intrusion.

give way

Describes a sudden loss of control and the expression of pent-up emotions.

belch out

Specifically refers to the forceful ejection of something, often smoke or fumes.

FAQs

How can I use "erupt" in a sentence?

You can use "erupt" to describe a sudden and forceful outbreak, such as "The volcano began to "erupt", spewing lava and ash" or "The crowd "erupted" in applause".

What words are similar to "erupt"?

Alternatives to "erupt" include "explode", "burst forth", or "flare up", each conveying a slightly different nuance of sudden and forceful release.

Is it correct to say "emotions erupted"?

Yes, it's perfectly correct. "Emotions "erupting"" is a common way to describe a sudden and intense emotional outburst.

Which is more appropriate, "violence erupted" or "violence broke out"?

Both "violence "erupted"" and "violence "broke out"" are acceptable, but ""erupted"" suggests a more sudden and intense initial burst of violence, while ""broke out"" simply indicates the start of violence.