hurricanes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hurricanes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing weather phenomena, natural disasters, or in contexts related to climate and environmental science. Example: "The Atlantic hurricane season typically runs from June to November, with hurricanes forming over warm ocean waters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As the governor of a state regarded as the hotbed for hurricanes and coastal erosion, Bush fought against drilling off the Florida coast and launched a massive Everglades restoration project.

The Guardian

In all he played 74 matches for the Hurricanes between 2001 and 2008 and his former provincial side wore black armbands in his memory during their 56-20 win over the Highlanders in Napier.

The Guardian - Sport

The Republicans roll into Tampa next week – hurricanes permitting – for their national convention where Mitt Romney will be officially confirmed as the party's candidate for president.

The Guardian

Related: Earthquakes, hurricanes, cyclones and tsunamis: the world's 10 riskiest cities How do you make a city safer?

The Guardian

Incredibly, not even the Hurricanes are safe as overall ladder leaders.

The Guardian - Sport

Isn't it all humidity and hurricanes?

The Guardian - Travel

Together, Florida's four hurricanes in 2004 cost the federal government $14 billion, while insurers paid out much more.

The Economist

It is often said that climate change is making hurricanes and other intense storms more frequent.

The Economist

Besides the Japanese and Thai calamities, New Zealand suffered an earthquake, Australia and China floods, and America a cocktail of hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and floods.

The Economist

Belmopan's American designers, who were moving the capital in part to escape Belize's coastal hurricanes, drew up housing plans that omitted to consider the ferocity of Belize's tropical rainstorms, forcing the first inhabitants to spend the rainy season bailing out their homes.

The Economist

It was tiny compared with recent storms such as Hurricane Wilma in 2005 or the four hurricanes that devastated the state in 2004.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "hurricanes", consider specifying the geographical region affected or the intensity of the storms to provide more context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the term "hurricane" loosely. Always check that the storm in question meets the criteria for a hurricane according to the Saffir-Simpson scale, which classifies storms based on wind speed and potential damage.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hurricanes" is as a noun, specifically a plural noun. It refers to multiple instances of the weather phenomenon known as a hurricane. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hurricanes" is a grammatically correct and frequently used plural noun referring to intense tropical cyclones. As validated by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to describe, inform, or discuss these weather events in various contexts, predominantly in news and media, with a neutral register. While alternatives like "tropical cyclones" exist, "hurricanes" remains a widely understood and accepted term. When using this term, ensure you specify the geographical region affected to provide clearer context, and always verify the storm meets the criteria for classification as a hurricane.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tropical cyclones

Refers to the same weather phenomenon, emphasizing the broader category that includes hurricanes.

severe storms

Describes the intensity of the weather events, focusing on the dangerous aspect of hurricanes.

cyclonic storms

Highlights the cyclonic nature of hurricanes, referring to the circular motion of the storm.

extreme weather events

Broadens the scope to include other types of severe weather, placing hurricanes within a larger context.

tropical disturbances

Refers to the initial stages of hurricane formation, indicating a developing storm system.

Atlantic storms

Specifies the geographical region where these storms typically occur.

coastal storms

Emphasizes the impact of these storms on coastal areas.

windstorms

Focuses on the high winds associated with hurricanes.

storm surges

Highlights one of the most dangerous effects of hurricanes: the abnormal rise in sea level.

natural disasters

Places hurricanes within the broader context of catastrophic natural events.

FAQs

What are some other words for "hurricanes"?

Alternatives include "tropical cyclones", "severe storms", and "cyclonic storms", depending on the context.

How does climate change affect "hurricanes"?

Climate change is expected to increase the intensity and frequency of "extreme weather events", including hurricanes, due to warmer ocean temperatures and changes in atmospheric conditions.

What's the difference between "hurricanes", typhoons, and cyclones?

"Hurricanes", typhoons, and cyclones are all the same type of storm; the only difference is where they occur. Hurricanes occur in the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific, typhoons in the Northwest Pacific, and cyclones in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean.

What causes "storm surges" during hurricanes?

Storm surges are caused by the high winds of the hurricane pushing seawater towards the coast, resulting in a rapid and dangerous rise in sea level.