flurry of e-mails

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flurry of e-mails" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and intense burst of email activity, often implying a large number of messages sent or received in a short period of time. Example: "After the announcement, there was a flurry of e-mails from team members seeking clarification on the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

They began a flurry of e-mails.

The New York Times

A flurry of e-mails, texts and phone calls soon followed.

The New York Times

A flurry of e-mails ensued about how Mr. Biden's office should explain it once the interview was broadcast.

The New York Times

"We had a real flurry of e-mails, and he had clear ideas about what he wanted.

The New York Times

A flurry of e-mails passed between us to try to arrange a time to meet, but we failed, and shortly afterward we stopped corresponding.

The New York Times

He sent an "e-mail bomb" — a flurry of e-mails — to State Department officials, calling on Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to condemn the driving ban.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

That column resulted in a small flurry of e-mail messages.

The New York Times

On the previous Tuesday, we sent out a flurry of e-mail messages to see who was free.

The New York Times - Food

After a flurry of e-mail messages, we agreed to meet for lunch in the city on a school holiday.

The New York Times

Top American speedskating officials have become cowed by her, or have grown fatigued by the flurry of e-mail messages full of complaints and legal threats.

The New York Times

They produce the site with a third Venezuelan partner based in Miami, Elio Casale, in a chaotic flurry of e-mail, instant-messaging and BlackBerry text messages.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flurry of e-mails" to describe a sudden, often unexpected, increase in email traffic, particularly when reacting to an event or announcement. It suggests more than just a few emails, but not necessarily a crisis-level volume.

Common error

Avoid using "flurry of e-mails" to describe routine email exchanges. This phrase implies an unusual surge in volume, not just typical correspondence. For regular email communication, use terms like "email exchange" or "series of e-mails" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flurry of e-mails" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a sudden and concentrated burst of email activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, showcased in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "flurry of e-mails" accurately describes a sudden and concentrated burst of email activity and is deemed grammatically correct by Ludwig AI. While not exceedingly common, it finds appropriate usage in diverse contexts such as news media, scientific discourse, and formal business communications. It effectively communicates a heightened sense of activity often triggered by a specific event or announcement. Alternatives like "outpouring of e-mails" or "wave of e-mails" offer nuanced substitutes. When using the phrase, remember it's best reserved for describing an unusual surge rather than routine correspondence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outpouring of e-mails

Replaces "flurry" with "outpouring", suggesting a strong emotional response triggering the emails.

blizzard of e-mails

Substitutes "flurry" with "blizzard", emphasizing the overwhelming quantity and intensity of the emails.

wave of e-mails

Replaces "flurry" with "wave", depicting a sequential arrival of many emails.

surge of e-mails

Uses "surge" instead of "flurry", highlighting the sudden increase in the number of emails.

deluge of e-mails

Substitutes "flurry" with "deluge", signifying an overwhelming and potentially disruptive amount of emails.

torrent of e-mails

Replaces "flurry" with "torrent", highlighting a continuous and forceful flow of emails.

flood of e-mails

Uses "flood" instead of "flurry", describing a large quantity of emails that may cause problems.

barrage of e-mails

Substitutes "flurry" with "barrage", indicating a rapid and continuous stream of emails, often in response to something.

hail of e-mails

Replaces "flurry" with "hail", suggesting a forceful and potentially unwelcome arrival of many emails.

onslaught of e-mails

Uses "onslaught" instead of "flurry", emphasizing the aggressive and overwhelming nature of the email activity.

FAQs

How can I use "flurry of e-mails" in a sentence?

You can use "flurry of e-mails" to describe a sudden increase in email activity, as in: "The announcement resulted in a "flurry of e-mails" from concerned customers."

What phrases are similar to "flurry of e-mails"?

Similar phrases include "outpouring of e-mails", "wave of e-mails", or "surge of e-mails". Each emphasizes a high volume of emails but with slightly different nuances.

Is it appropriate to use "flurry of e-mails" in a formal context?

Yes, "flurry of e-mails" is suitable for formal contexts, particularly when describing business or official communications, as evidenced by its usage in news media and formal reports. However, avoid overuse; more neutral language might be preferable in extremely formal settings.

What's the difference between "flurry of e-mails" and "stream of e-mails"?

"Flurry of e-mails" suggests a sudden and perhaps chaotic burst of messages, while "stream of e-mails" implies a continuous, steady flow over a period of time. The former is more intense and immediate.