spate of crashes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spate of crashes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden or large number of incidents occurring in a short period, often related to accidents or failures. Example: "The recent spate of crashes on the highway has raised concerns about road safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

He added that the North Koreans had suffered a spate of crashes recently.

The Guardian

The chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, Mark Rosenker, said the agency was greatly concerned about the spate of crashes.

The New York Times

Mr. Todd and other industry officials said they were puzzled by the recent spate of crashes because there did not seem to be a common thread.

The New York Times

Similarly, fully electric cars are predominant only in countries that can produce electricity cheaply, such as nuclear-powered France.The self-driving car took a temporary knock when the mysterious hacking incident of 2023 (which was never resolved) caused a spate of crashes of cars running on autopilot, leading to a flurry of liability suits.

The Economist

Pantani had already achieved vast popularity because of his unique style, wholly reliant upon do-or-die attacks in the mountains, and engaging personality - he used to take a guitar into the bars of Rimini and serenade local girls - as well as the capacity to fight back from a spate of crashes.

The Guardian - Sport

At times he has also shown himself as a successor to such as Bernard Hinault or Eddy Merckx as a leader within the peloton, for example when the 2010 Tour was hit by a spate of crashes on a descent in the Ardennes.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Next year's models from Honda, Lincoln and Dodge, among others, also have been proven to perform exceptionally well in the latest spate of crash tests.

Forbes

To the Editor: Debra A. Klein's "Spate of Copter Crashes Prompts Concern" (Practical Traveler, Feb. 5) was very informative.

The New York Times

After a spate of flash crashes, including the one in which Knight Capital recently lost $440 million, regulators are discussing steps that would reduce trading volume, including a transaction tax.

The New York Times

A spate of deadly crashes in the 1990s, including seven from 1992 to 1994 that killed a total of 492 people, prompted China to turn to the F.A.A. for help.

The New York Times

The operation, which police said was the biggest so far, follows a spate of truck crashes in New South Wales that killed five people in two days last month.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spate of crashes", consider the specific type of crashes involved (e.g. car crashes, plane crashes) to provide more context and clarity to the reader.

Common error

While "spate of crashes" is grammatically correct, it might sound overly formal in casual conversation. In informal settings, consider using simpler phrases like "a lot of crashes" or "many accidents".

Linguistic Context

"Spate of crashes" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject or object, denoting a series of accidents or collisions that occur within a short period. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing various types of accidents.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Sport

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spate of crashes" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a series of accident events. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. While its frequency is uncommon, it is most often found in news reports, indicating a neutral to formal register. The phrase serves to inform and highlight a worrying trend in the number of accidents, prompting further attention. Alternatives include "series of collisions" or "rash of accidents", offering similar meanings with subtle differences. When employing "spate of crashes", consider the specific types of incidents to provide greater clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

series of collisions

Replaces "spate" with "series", focusing on the sequential nature of multiple crashes.

rash of accidents

Uses "rash" instead of "spate", implying a sudden outbreak of accidents.

wave of accidents

Substitutes "spate" with "wave", suggesting a rising number of accidents.

cluster of incidents

Employs "cluster" and "incidents" to convey a group of related events.

string of pileups

Replaces "crashes" with "pileups", indicating multiple vehicles involved in each incident.

succession of accidents

Focuses on the sequential occurrence of accidents, similar to "series".

outbreak of collisions

Uses "outbreak" to suggest a sudden and widespread occurrence of collisions.

surge in crashes

Highlights the increasing number of crashes using the word "surge".

sudden increase in accidents

More explicitly describes the quick rise in accident frequency.

multiple accident events

A more descriptive and literal alternative, emphasizing the occurrence of several accidents.

FAQs

How can I use "spate of crashes" in a sentence?

You can use "spate of crashes" to describe a sudden series of accident events. For example, "The city experienced a "spate of crashes" during the snowstorm."

What can I say instead of "spate of crashes"?

Alternatives include "series of collisions", "rash of accidents", or "wave of accidents", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "spate of crashes" in formal writing?

Yes, "spate of crashes" is suitable for formal writing, especially in news reports, academic papers, or official statements. It conveys a serious and objective tone.

What is the difference between "spate of crashes" and "accident cluster"?

"Spate of crashes" implies a sudden and often unexpected increase in accidents, while "accident cluster" suggests accidents are grouped geographically or temporally, but doesn't necessarily imply a sudden increase.