spate of stabbings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spate of stabbings" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden increase or series of incidents involving stabbings, often in a specific location or context. Example: "The city has seen a troubling spate of stabbings in recent weeks, raising concerns about public safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The case against Dogan comes amid a spate of stabbings.

The Guardian

Six Palestinians have been reportedly shot dead by the Israel Defence Force in Gaza during a spate of stabbings in Israel and the occupied West Bank.

Independent

A spate of stabbings and vehicle-based terror attacks has killed five Israelis and one foreigner in the past four weeks.

Vice

The regional bassline scene folded unceremoniously in November 2005 as Sheffield club and homebase Niche was raided by a 300-strong police force following a spate of stabbings.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But in Xinjiang, residents widely assert that the government squeeze on information stoked further tensions and unrest, such as during a spate of syringe stabbings in Urumqi in August.

The New York Times

Yohanan Plesner, the president of the Israel Democracy Institute, said that the spate of Palestinian stabbing attacks against Israelis since 2015 has "created a sense of fear and anger among Israelis, and therefore the climate of identification with the basic moral code of the IDF has been eroded".

Vice

Teenagers flashing knives in a spate of high school stabbings.

The New York Times

A spate of shootings and stabbings of teenagers by teenagers marred the summer.

The Economist

Lennie James 24 January 2007 Jevon Henry, 18, is stabbed to death in St John's Wood, north London - the first in a spate of teen-on-teen stabbings and shootings at the start of the year. 1 February 2007 Maximum sentence for carrying a knife is increased from two to four years.

The Guardian

The statement comes after a spate of violence and a number of stabbings across the West Bank, Jerusalem and the rest of Israel.

Independent

Sympathy is, of course, due to victims of stabbings.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spate of stabbings", ensure the context clearly establishes the location and timeframe to provide a clear understanding of the situation being described.

Common error

Avoid using "spate of stabbings" when referring to isolated incidents. The phrase implies a noticeable and concerning increase in the frequency of such events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spate of stabbings" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a series of stabbing incidents occurring within a short period. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spate of stabbings" is a noun phrase used to describe a sudden and concerning increase in stabbing incidents. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriate usage, primarily in news and media contexts. While the phrase is not very common, when used it serves to report and highlight a worrying trend. Alternative phrases include "surge in stabbings", "wave of stabbings", and "increase in knife attacks". Ensure the context clearly establishes the location and timeframe when using this phrase to provide clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surge in stabbings

Replaces "spate" with "surge", emphasizing the sudden increase.

increase in knife attacks

Replaces "stabbings" with "knife attacks", making it more explicit.

wave of stabbings

Substitutes "spate" with "wave", highlighting the sequential nature.

rash of stabbings

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

series of stabbings

Replaces "spate" with "series", focusing on the sequential occurrences.

outbreak of stabbings

Substitutes "spate" with "outbreak", suggesting a sudden and unexpected occurrence.

cluster of stabbings

Replaces "spate" with "cluster", indicating a grouping of incidents.

upswing in stabbings

Uses "upswing" instead of "spate", denoting an increase in the number of stabbings.

rising number of stabbings

Substitutes "spate" with "rising number", focusing on the increasing count of incidents.

escalation of stabbings

Replaces "spate" with "escalation", highlighting an increase in intensity or severity of stabbings.

FAQs

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

You can use "spate of stabbings" to describe a sudden increase in stabbing incidents, such as: "The city has experienced a "spate of stabbings" in recent weeks, prompting increased police presence."

What phrases are similar to "spate of stabbings"?

Similar phrases include "surge in stabbings", "wave of stabbings", or "increase in knife attacks".

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

Yes, "spate of stabbings" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in news reports and analytical articles, as it accurately describes a cluster of violent events.

What does "spate" mean in the context of "spate of stabbings"?

In this context, "spate" refers to a large number of similar things or events occurring in quick succession, implying a sudden and often unwelcome increase.