slew of start-ups

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slew of start-ups" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large number or variety of start-up companies, often in a context discussing trends or developments in the business world. Example: "In recent years, there has been a slew of start-ups emerging in the tech industry, each offering innovative solutions to common problems."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This can already be seen in the slew of start-ups trying to help people transform their personal details into dollars: an industry which could be worth £1bn by 2016 in the UK alone.

The Guardian - Opinion

A slew of start-ups have also entered this market.

Forbes

But now new, cheaper camera technology has attracted a slew of start-ups aiming to capitalise on consumer interest in aerial photos.

BBC

But taken in context, Google is still trying to play catch-up to a slew of start-ups and giants like Oracle, he says.

Forbes

Other big companies like General Electric and a slew of start-ups are all angling for a piece of the business as companies and consumers worry more about their electricity consumption and problems like global warming.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Over the past year, a slew of Web start-ups have made their debuts, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Zynga and Groupon.

The New York Times

With over one-third of the 1.574 billion internet users worldwide participating in online commentary and forums, Kutano is joining a slew of other start-ups hoping to capitalize on this growing trend by providing a free and open stage for online discussion.

TechCrunch

A slew of other start-ups have now entered the space in various categories, including t-shirts, costume jewelry, makeup, and underwear.

Huffington Post

PayPal needs such talent more than ever because a slew of payments start-ups, including Square, Stripe and Dwolla, are developing rival services and products that are beginning to catch on with merchants and consumers.

Huffington Post

So when executives gave it a stark wake-up call about the future of start-ups that were slow to cut costs and become profitable, Jive Software's chief executive did what was necessary.

The New York Times

A year ago, the biggest threat to such incumbent giants appeared to be a slew of Internet-only start-ups, including InsWeb, Quotesmith and E*Coverage (slogan: "the industry is history").

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slew of start-ups", ensure that the context clearly indicates the industry or area to which these start-ups belong to provide a more specific and informative description. For example, "a slew of tech start-ups".

Common error

Avoid using "slew of start-ups" without providing context or specifics. Saying there's a "slew of start-ups" without mentioning in which sector or region they are emerging can make your statement vague and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slew of start-ups" functions as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject or object, denoting a significant number of new business ventures. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable. For example, the sentence 'A slew of start-ups have also entered this market' shows its subject function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slew of start-ups" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe a significant number of new companies. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for various writing styles. Its function is to portray a trend within business and entrepreneurial landscapes. While most commonly found in news and media, it is versatile enough for use in business contexts as well. For alternatives, consider phrases like "wave of new companies" or "surge of fledgling businesses" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wave of new companies

Focuses on the emergence of new companies, similar to "slew of start-ups" but with a slightly different imagery.

surge of fledgling businesses

Emphasizes the rapid increase and early stage of the businesses.

flurry of new ventures

Implies a sudden and busy burst of new businesses.

cluster of emerging start-ups

Suggests a grouping or concentration of new start-ups.

spate of new enterprises

Indicates a large number of new businesses appearing in quick succession.

rash of new start-ups

Highlights a sudden and perhaps unwelcome increase in start-ups.

proliferation of start-up companies

Focuses on the rapid growth and spread of start-up companies.

abundance of new businesses

Emphasizes the plentiful supply of new businesses.

outbreak of entrepreneurial ventures

Suggests a sudden and widespread emergence of new businesses.

influx of start-ups

Indicates a large number of start-ups entering the market.

FAQs

What does "slew of start-ups" mean?

The phrase "slew of start-ups" refers to a large number of new companies or businesses that are just beginning operations. It implies a significant and often sudden increase in the number of start-ups.

What can I say instead of "slew of start-ups"?

You can use alternatives like "wave of new companies", "surge of fledgling businesses", or "flurry of new ventures" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "slew of start-ups" in formal writing?

Yes, "slew of start-ups" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in business and news contexts. It's a descriptive and relatively neutral phrase that effectively conveys the idea of a large number of new businesses. However, consider alternatives for very formal or academic writing to avoid any potential perception of informality.

How do I use "slew of start-ups" in a sentence?

You can use "slew of start-ups" in a sentence like this: "In recent years, there has been a "slew of start-ups" emerging in the tech industry."