slew

USAGE SUMMARY

"slew" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as a verb meaning "to cause a large number of something to happen or to be done" or as a noun to mean "a large number or amount of something". Example sentence: "The government slew many policies in order to make drastic changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Curtis went on to star in a slew of second-grade movies, such as Son of Ali Baba (1952) and Houdini (1953).

The Guardian - Film

"This event has shaken the community's confidence in our police department," Coeur d'Alene's new police chief, Lee White, said at a press conference announcing a slew of internal reforms prompted by Arfee's death.

The Guardian

A slew of TV funny men (David Schneider, Matt Lucas) pepper what's essentially a big-screen sitcom, with perhaps more laughs than its creaky premise suggests.

The Guardian - Film

The party is panicking that it will lose a slew of seats to the Nationalists next May.

The Guardian - Opinion

As soon as Lily Allen released a music video that was purportedly a new feminist anthem, I anticipated that a slew of blogs and commentary would follow.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet, after five years of the Tea Party intimidating the Republican mainstream – and much of Washington – a concerted fight-back by GOP leaders appears to be doing just that: treading on the ambitions of the Tea Party, not only in North Carolina, but potentially a slew of other upcoming primary races too.

The Guardian

At the event, Cook is likely to demonstrate a slew of new apps for the watch, as well as expanding on his comments on the health benefits of the new device.

The Guardian - Tech

Oval Space, E2, Fri to 2 May BB This May Day, Huntleys + Palmers have collected a slew of underground dons into the Art School and, as ever, they are giving weight to local acts as well as international pulls to make this a very special party.

The Guardian - Music

Broccoli, who also hinted at a slew of other varied film projects to follow, is exec-producing The Silent Storm with Marc Samuelson, while Nicky Bentham (who worked on Duncan Jones's Moon) will produce.

The Guardian - Film

Related: FBI inquiry extends to awards of 2018 and 2022 World Cups – live updates Blazer's guilty plea to a slew of charges including racketeering, wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering, income tax and banking offences was revealed last week, on the same day as 17 other Fifa officials and marketing executives were charged with similar crimes.

The Guardian - Sport

The Italian premier has been involved in a slew of legal investigations, including accusations he bribed a judge in the 1980s to sway a business deal in his favour.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slew" to emphasize a large quantity or number of something, especially when implying a sense of suddenness or abundance. This can be especially effective in news reporting or descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "slew" to describe a deliberate action of killing or slaughtering. While the word's origin is related to "slay", its modern usage primarily refers to a large quantity. Stick to verbs like "slay", "kill", or "massacre" when describing acts of violence.

Linguistic Context

Slew functions primarily as a noun, denoting a large quantity or number of something. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, showcasing its use in phrases like "a slew of movies" or "a slew of reforms". It can also function as the past tense of the verb 'slay'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "slew" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun, indicating a substantial quantity or number. As highlighted by Ludwig, its origin comes from the past tense of the word “slay”, but today it is used primarily as a noun. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, "slew" carries a neutral register, making it suitable for broad communication. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "significant number" or "substantial amount". Avoid misusing it as a verb describing killing or slaughtering. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts, emphasizing its value in conveying abundance or a significant amount in both written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a great number

A straightforward alternative, emphasizing quantity without additional connotation.

a large quantity

Focuses on the amount or volume, suitable when the specifics aren't countable.

a multitude

Implies a large number of things or people, often suggesting variety or diversity.

an abundance

Emphasizes the plentiful or overflowing nature of something.

a host

Suggests a large and impressive gathering or collection.

a profusion

Implies an extravagant or excessive amount.

a wealth

Suggests a rich or valuable supply.

a cornucopia

Evokes an image of overflowing abundance, often in a celebratory context.

a torrent

Implies a forceful or overwhelming flow of something.

a stack

Refers to an organized pile of items, often papers or books.

FAQs

How can I use "slew" in a sentence?

Use "slew" to indicate a large number or quantity of something. For example, "The company faced a "slew of challenges" after the merger".

What are some alternatives to using the word "slew"?

You can use alternatives like "multitude", "abundance", or "great number" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "slew" in formal writing?

While "slew" is widely accepted, consider using more formal alternatives like "significant number" or "substantial amount" in highly formal contexts.

What's the difference between "slew" and "a few"?

"Slew" indicates a large quantity, whereas "a few" refers to a small number. Using the appropriate term ensures clarity and accuracy.