spate of disasters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spate of disasters" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden or large number of unfortunate events occurring in a short period of time. Example: "The region experienced a spate of disasters, including floods, earthquakes, and wildfires, all within a few weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But what does the spate of disasters mean for insurers?

Independent

Last year, when it looked as if FEMA might exceed its budget after a spate of disasters, House Republicans demanded that any further spending be offset by cuts in other programs they disliked.

The New York Times

Over the course of the past decade, few Bangladeshi business owners have been held to account in a spate of disasters that have claimed some 6,000 lives.

Huffington Post

Another good line given the recent spate of disasters is to say something like: "I donated to Haiti... before the disaster".

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In addition, a spate of natural disasters in the region, including devastating earthquakes in Japan and New Zealand and severe flooding in Australia, have dented Qantas's business.

The New York Times

But the recent spate of natural disasters — like a tornado in Joplin, Mo .— has shifted the organization's attention toward home.

The New York Times

Holland-Kaye also told CNN's The Business View that the recent spate of airline disasters had had no impact on the number of passengers flying.

The Guardian - Travel

ASEAN is responding to a spate of natural disasters along the Indian and Pacific oceans, including the tsunami that killed 220,000 people in December 2004 and a cyclone that killed more than 80,000 Burmese in May 2008.

Forbes

Additionally, global supply chains have been bedeviled by the shift in weather patterns and the spate of natural disasters.

Huffington Post

On Friday, the Democratic-controlled Senate blocked the House bill that would provide stop-gap federal spending, plus aid for people battered by a spate of natural disasters.

Huffington Post

Mme Costa died 35 months after the dam burst: presumably as part of that spate of post-disaster deaths mentioned by the old woman last week.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spate of disasters", ensure the context clearly defines the specific events you are referring to, enhancing the impact and understanding for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "spate of disasters" in everyday conversations or light-hearted writing. This phrase carries a significant weight and should be reserved for genuinely serious or tragic events to maintain its intended impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spate of disasters" functions as a noun phrase. It describes a period characterized by a large number of unfortunate events. Ludwig examples show its usage in describing natural calamities and industrial accidents.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spate of disasters" is a phrase used to describe a sudden, large number of unfortunate events occurring in a short period. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. While effective in conveying seriousness, it's best reserved for genuinely grave situations. Alternatives like "series of catastrophes" or "rash of tragedies" can provide similar emphasis with slightly different nuances. Remember to clearly define the events you are referring to when using this phrase to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

series of catastrophes

Replaces "spate" with "series" and "disasters" with "catastrophes", emphasizing the sequential and severe nature of the events.

succession of calamities

Uses "succession" and "calamities" to highlight the sequential and unfortunate nature of the events, focusing on their grave impact.

rash of tragedies

Replaces "spate of disasters" with "rash of tragedies", which focuses on the sudden and unfortunate aspects of the events with an emphasis on the sorrowful aspect.

wave of misfortunes

Employs "wave" and "misfortunes" to depict a surge of unfavorable events, indicating a period marked by bad luck or adversity.

cluster of adversities

Uses "cluster" and "adversities" to represent a group of challenging or unfavorable situations, suggesting a complex set of difficulties.

outbreak of catastrophes

Replaces "spate" with "outbreak" and "disasters" with "catastrophes", emphasizing a sudden and widespread occurrence of severe events.

plague of misfortunes

Uses "plague" and "misfortunes" to describe a period severely affected by bad luck or adversity, indicating a pervasive and harmful influence.

cycle of crises

Replaces "spate of disasters" with "cycle of crises", highlighting a recurring pattern of critical or unstable situations.

parade of adversities

Uses "parade" and "adversities" to depict a continuous and conspicuous display of challenging or unfavorable situations.

string of downfalls

Replaces "spate of disasters" with "string of downfalls", which indicates a connected sequence of failures or collapses.

FAQs

What does the phrase "spate of disasters" mean?

The phrase "spate of disasters" refers to a sudden, large number of unfortunate events occurring within a short period.

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

You can use alternatives like "series of catastrophes", "succession of calamities", or "rash of tragedies" depending on the context.

Is "spate of disasters" formal or informal?

"Spate of disasters" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for news reports, academic writing, and serious discussions. It's less appropriate for casual conversation.

How do I use "spate of disasters" in a sentence?

You can use "spate of disasters" to describe a period marked by multiple unfortunate events, such as: "The region experienced a "spate of disasters" including floods, earthquakes and wildfires".