growing spate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "growing spate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an increasing number or frequency of something, often in a negative context, such as incidents or events. Example: "The city has seen a growing spate of burglaries in recent months, alarming residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Establishing connections between the generations is one of the root ambitions of those who work with the elderly, expressed in a growing spate of intergenerational programs.

The New York Times

In 2019, we'll buy even more everyday things online and shop at Amazon's growing spate of physical shops, like Amazon Go convenience stores in airports.

The Washington Post

But the campaigns were accompanied by an official decision to ban the product from state banquets, coupled with a growing spate of refusals by international airlines to carry shark fins as cargo.

Yale University

The increasing interest in the commercials that appear during the game has generated a growing spate of post-mortems from academics, pollsters, marketing consultants and agencies, all seeking to capitalize on the attention generated by an event watched by what is usually the largest television audience of the year.

The New York Times

Nigeria's weak institutional framework has effects on product innovation among firms leading to growing spate of process innovation used mainly as a strategic tool to undercut competition (Mesquita & Lazzarini, 2010).

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Spark is among a growing spate of early-stage venture funds that are suddenly managing far more money than they ever had previously.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Having irreversibly committed to Athens, the international Olympic lords continue to minimize the threats and idealize the outcome, but even Athenians are growing weary of the spate of humiliations caused by the nation's procrastination.

The New York Times - Sports

The growing uproar follows a spate of restrictive voting laws passed by Republicans in recent years that are now playing out across the country in closely contested races for House, Senate and governor.

The Washington Post

The dispute comes as Palestinian leaders express growing concern over the spate of partisan reprisal killings in the territories, which officials recently warned resemble the start of civil war.

The Washington Post

But this year there is a danger the music will be overshadowed by growing anger over a spate of festival and gig ticket rip-offs that experts claim could leave as many as 20,000 fans out of pocket by the end of the summer.

The Guardian - Money

Even though calls for tighter gun control have been growing ever louder amid a spate of mass shootings, sales are continuing to soar.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "growing spate" to describe a noticeable increase in negative occurrences or events. It is best suited for situations where the increase is concerning or problematic.

Common error

Avoid using "growing spate" to describe positive trends. It typically carries a negative connotation and is more appropriately used for undesirable developments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "growing spate" functions as a modifier + noun combination, describing an increasing number or frequency of something. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English. The phrase often appears in contexts highlighting negative trends, such as a "growing spate of burglaries".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

12%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “growing spate” is a grammatically sound expression used to denote an increasing number of often negative incidents. As confirmed by Ludwig, its primary function is to highlight a concerning rise in events, particularly in news and academic contexts. While the expression is generally neutral in register, it is best reserved for situations where there is a genuine cause for concern. Remember to avoid using it in positive contexts. Alternatives like "increasing trend" or "rising number" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increasing trend

Focuses on the pattern of increase over time.

rising number

Emphasizes the quantity or count that is increasing.

growing incidence

Highlights that something is happening more frequently.

upsurge of events

Highlights a sudden and significant increase in events.

rising tide

Suggests an unstoppable increase in something.

escalating series

Implies a gradual and intensifying sequence of events.

mounting wave

Suggests a gradually accumulating and overwhelming increase.

developing surge

Highlights the rapid and intense nature of increase.

proliferation of incidents

Indicates a rapid and widespread increase in the number of incidents.

increasing outbreak

Specifically denotes a sudden and rapid increase, often related to disease or conflict.

FAQs

How can I use "growing spate" in a sentence?

Use "growing spate" to describe an increase in negative events, such as "The city has experienced a "growing spate" of cyberattacks in recent months".

What can I say instead of "growing spate"?

You can use alternatives like "increasing trend", "rising number", or "upsurge of events" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "growing spate" for positive developments?

No, "growing spate" typically implies a negative development. Use alternatives like "increasing trend" or "rising popularity" for positive contexts.

What's the difference between "growing spate" and "increasing trend"?

"Growing spate" typically refers to a cluster of negative occurrences, whereas "increasing trend" is a more neutral term that can apply to both positive and negative developments.