mounting wave

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mounting wave" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a wave that is increasing in size or intensity, often in a metaphorical sense, such as emotions or trends. Example: "As the deadline approached, a mounting wave of anxiety swept over the team, making it difficult to focus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Mexico controlled possession of the ball, mounting wave after wave of promising attacks, but seemed unable to score.

The New Yorker

And he created a new federal police force to fight a mounting wave of federal crimes, including kidnapping.

The New York Times

The confirmation came after a mounting wave of rumors that served to underline France's love-hate relationship with all things American.

The New York Times

Thus, the mounting wave of nationalism among Slovaks as well as Czechs created conditions for the eventual establishment of two closely related but distinct political units.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The mounting wave of safety concerns is forcing Mattel and other toy companies to reconsider long-held assumptions about the safety of their products.

The New York Times

With developments in the scandal breaking almost dally, Prime Minister Harold Macmillan will encounter a mounting wave of outrage and criticism when he returns here tomorrow from his vacation in Scotland.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The rising terraces create a sense of cresting, of mounting waves of color and texture.

The New Yorker

Mr. Rouse's "Rapture," an emphatic display of virtuosic scoring, conjured mounting waves of dazzling, major-key light, flecked by woodwind bird song, ebullient back-desk violin solos and surging dual timpanists.

The New York Times - Arts

And people around the world who for decades have looked to the United States as the model for openness and accountability in business have been sorely disillusioned by the mounting waves of scandal.

The New York Times

Outnumbered Sociedad did well not to concede again as Barça mounted wave after wave of attacks but the Basque club's bid for a first Copa del Rey final since 1987 looks to be over.

The Guardian - Sport

Tow-in surfing, as it is called, allows surfers to mount waves like the 50-footers that pound the Cortes Bank 100 miles off San Diego.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mounting wave" to describe situations where something is not only increasing, but also feels overwhelming or forceful, like a "mounting wave" of criticism.

Common error

While "mounting wave" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal or scientific writing. More precise terms like "increasing trend" or "escalating rate" might be more appropriate depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mounting wave" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "mounting" modifies the noun "wave". Ludwig AI shows it's used to describe a growing or intensifying phenomenon, often with negative connotations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mounting wave" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something that is increasing in intensity or size, often conveying a sense of being overwhelming. As Ludwig confirms, its most frequent usage is in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and choose more precise alternatives like "growing trend" or "increasing pressure" for formal settings. The phrase effectively communicates a sense of escalation, making it a valuable tool in various forms of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rising tide

Similar imagery, but 'tide' suggests a more gradual and pervasive increase.

growing trend

'Trend' focuses specifically on patterns or popular movements.

increasing pressure

'Pressure' emphasizes force or urgency that builds over time.

escalating crisis

'Crisis' implies a more immediate and critical situation.

accumulating effect

'Effect' highlights the result of a gradual buildup.

surging demand

'Demand' focuses on the increasing need or desire for something.

intensifying conflict

'Conflict' suggests a growing disagreement or struggle.

expanding influence

'Influence' emphasizes the spreading power or reach.

building momentum

'Momentum' suggests increasing speed or force towards a goal.

amplifying effect

'Amplifying' indicates making something louder or more significant.

FAQs

How can I use "mounting wave" in a sentence?

You can use "mounting wave" to describe something that is increasing significantly and often feels overwhelming, such as "a mounting wave of public support" or "a mounting wave of concern".

What can I say instead of "mounting wave"?

You can use alternatives like "rising tide", "growing trend", or "increasing pressure" depending on the specific context.

Is "mounting wave" a formal expression?

While "mounting wave" is widely understood, it leans toward a neutral to slightly informal tone. For highly formal or scientific writing, consider more precise alternatives like "escalating rate" or "increasing trend".

What does "mounting wave" typically describe?

"Mounting wave" often describes an increase in abstract concepts like support, criticism, pressure, or concern, suggesting that these are growing significantly and potentially becoming difficult to manage.