spate of war

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spate of war" is not correct in standard English usage.
The term "spate" typically refers to a sudden flood or outpouring, and is usually used with events or occurrences, not specifically with "war." Example: "The region experienced a spate of violence that left many communities devastated."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr Parry later told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "There has been a spate of war memorial thefts up and down the country and every one of them is shocking.

Independent

The head of Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission has urged Hamid Karzai's government and Nato to investigate allegations, first reported in The Independent, that an Afghan strongman employed by United States Army Special Forces embarked on a spate of war crimes, including rape, the summary execution of children, and torture.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The project began three years ago, before the first spate of war-related films (including "In the Valley of Elah," "Redacted" and "Stop-Loss") was released.

The New York Times

On the anniversary of 9/11, the terrorism spectacular that led to America's spate of wars, Sergeant First Class Chris Chavez gave his testimonial after the play.

The New Yorker

Even before Johnston's arrival the British had been embroiled in open warfare with Arab slave traders, and during the early years of the protectorate Johnston engaged in a spate of wars against the Swahili and Yao slave and ivory traders, who feared the loss of their livelihood.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It seems like there've been an unusual spate of Nazi/World War II/Holocaust films in 2008, bundled together at the end of the year in a perhaps too apparent hope for the awards success that often accompanies sad, difficult stories.

Huffington Post

There are a number of embarrassing antecedents: in the 1980s USAID, in a spate of cold-war fervour, supported the publication of millions of hot-blooded textbooks for Afghan children.

The Economist

Relations with UK Sport, the funding agency that dispenses national lottery and exchequer cash to Olympic sports and helped fuel Team GB's best haul in more than a century in Rio, were also restored to harmony after a spate of turf wars.

The Guardian - Sport

IN the mid 1980's there was a spate of movies -- "War Games," "Weird Science," "Real Genius" -- about unpopular teenagers with brilliant minds who conquered in science where they could not in social life.

The New York Times

Focusing on the intertwined lives and loves of three non-religious, professional, westernised young Iraqis - a writer, an engineer, a doctor - who return to their homeland after the fall of Saddam, it was praised, amid a spate of dramas about the war told mainly from the western politico-military perspective, as important, fresh, irreverent and blackly funny.

The Guardian

Theories voiced regarding the spate of killings include turf wars and score-settlings among drug gangs and corrupt government officials working with them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a series of war-related events, consider using "period of conflict" or "time of war" for better clarity and adherence to standard English.

Common error

Avoid using "spate of war" as 'spate' typically denotes a sudden, abundant outpouring of something like rain or events, not a phenomenon like war. Instead, choose phrases that accurately reflect the nature of war-related activities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spate of war" functions as a noun phrase intended to describe a sudden increase or series of war-related events. However, its usage is questionable, as noted by Ludwig AI, making it a less conventional expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

34%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spate of war" attempts to describe a sudden increase in warfare, but it is considered grammatically questionable and not standard English, according to Ludwig AI. While present in some news and encyclopedia sources, its usage is rare. For clarity and correctness, it's advisable to use more conventional phrases like "outbreak of war", "surge of conflict", or "period of conflict". These alternatives offer better precision and are more widely accepted in both formal and informal contexts, avoiding the misuse of 'spate' which typically denotes a sudden outpouring of events, not a sustained phenomenon like warfare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outbreak of war

Emphasizes the sudden commencement of war.

surge of conflict

Highlights a rapid increase in conflict intensity.

wave of warfare

Focuses on a series of connected war events.

period of conflict

Indicates a sustained duration of war-related activities.

escalation of hostilities

Points to an increasing intensity of warlike actions.

series of battles

Highlights multiple engagements within a larger conflict.

succession of wars

Implies multiple wars occurring one after another.

time of war

Refers to a specific era defined by warfare.

era of conflict

Similar to "time of war" but with a broader scope.

rise in military actions

Indicates an increasing trend in military operations.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "outbreak of war", "surge of conflict", or "wave of warfare" depending on the context.

Is "spate of war" grammatically correct?

No, "spate of war" isn't considered standard English. It's better to use phrases like "period of conflict" or "time of war".

How does "spate of war" differ from "outbreak of war"?

"Spate of war" is a less common and somewhat incorrect usage. "Outbreak of war" refers specifically to the commencement or sudden start of war, which is a more precise and accepted phrase.

When is it appropriate to use "spate of violence" rather than "spate of war"?

"Spate of violence" is appropriate when referring to a sudden increase in violent incidents, while "spate of war" is generally avoided. To describe an increase in warfare, it's better to use phrases like "escalation of hostilities".