spray of bullets

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spray of bullets" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a rapid and indiscriminate firing of bullets, often in a violent context. Example: "The sound of a spray of bullets echoed through the streets, sending people running for cover."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Hikmat imagined that, like the action heroes in his films, they would come on foot, in a spray of bullets.

The New Yorker

The boys, 15 and 16, dropped the bicycles they were riding and ran for cover, but were struck by the spray of bullets.

The New York Times

In 1996, a "pathetic social misfit," as a judge described the lone gunman, killed 35 people with a spray of bullets from semiautomatic weapons.

The New York Times

The spray of bullets came from behind a bunker made from bags of cement and manned by federal and state police officers.

The New York Times - Magazine

A1 2-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot Gunmen unleashed a spray of bullets into a parked car in Brownsville, Brooklyn, with two adults and three children, killing a 2-year-old boy.

The New York Times

But that was just a prelude to what happened on June 3, when assassins drove up alongside the car carrying Ali Najim al-Sadun, chief of the 250,000-member tribe, and ended his life in a spray of bullets.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

From outside, a spray of bullet holes was visible around one upstairs window.

Huffington Post

Pat Martin, who works in IT support in Reading, says one of the first memories of her grandmother, Olive de Winter Smith, was being covered on the floor by her nanny during a spraying of bullets.

The Guardian

It all took seconds -- the grenades, the spraying of bullets, the screaming, the toppled chairs, the gore, the panic, the stampede, those frozen by fear, those who hit the ground.... Chairs were overturned, the steps were filled with stumbling, screaming people.

The New York Times

Pictures of a deceased young woman who narrowly escaped another spraying of bullets just last month in a Toronto shopping mall -- this time, bullets ended her promising life as she attended a film premiere in Aurora, Colorado.

Huffington Post

The police confronted them, relying on a rather indiscriminate spray of rubber bullets.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spray of bullets" to vividly describe a scene where multiple bullets are fired rapidly and indiscriminately, creating a sense of chaos and danger. This phrase is particularly effective in news reports, fiction, and action-oriented writing.

Common error

While "spray of bullets" is acceptable in journalistic and creative writing, it may be too informal or sensational for academic or technical documents. Consider using more neutral terms like "rapid gunfire" or "multiple shots fired" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spray of bullets" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It vividly describes a rapid and indiscriminate discharge of bullets. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spray of bullets" is a common noun phrase used to describe a rapid and indiscriminate firing of bullets. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and acceptable in English writing. Its primary function is to vividly convey the intensity and chaos associated with a shooting. While most frequently found in news and media contexts, it is less suitable for formal academic or scientific writing. Related alternatives include "burst of gunfire" and "hail of bullets". When employing this phrase, consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

burst of gunfire

Focuses on the sudden and intense nature of the shooting.

hail of bullets

Emphasizes the large number and intensity of the bullets.

barrage of shots

Highlights the continuous and overwhelming nature of the gunfire.

volley of gunfire

Suggests a simultaneous discharge of multiple weapons.

fusillade of bullets

Implies a rapid and continuous series of shots.

rapid gunfire

Emphasizes the speed and rate of the shooting.

torrent of bullets

Highlights the overwhelming and unstoppable nature of the gunfire.

mass shooting

Focuses on the event rather than the gunfire itself.

outbreak of violence

Refers to a sudden and intense occurrence of violence involving firearms.

random shooting

Highlights the indiscriminate nature of the gunfire.

FAQs

How can I use "spray of bullets" in a sentence?

You can use "spray of bullets" to describe a rapid and indiscriminate firing of bullets. For example: "The sound of a "spray of bullets" echoed through the streets."

What can I say instead of "spray of bullets"?

You can use alternatives like "burst of gunfire", "hail of bullets", or "barrage of shots" depending on the context.

Is "spray of bullets" a formal expression?

No, "spray of bullets" is not a formal expression. It is more commonly used in news reports or creative writing to vividly describe a shooting.

What's the difference between "spray of bullets" and "rapid gunfire"?

"Spray of bullets" emphasizes the indiscriminate and chaotic nature of the shooting, while "rapid gunfire" simply focuses on the speed of the shooting.