stream of letters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stream of letters" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a continuous flow or sequence of written characters or text, often implying a lack of structure or coherence. Example: "As I read the message, it felt like a stream of letters that made no sense at all."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

O'Keeffe's affectionate stream of letters revived him.

The New York Times - Books

I still get a small but steady stream of letters and emails on this topic.

The Guardian - Opinion

The hotel management reports a steady stream of letters and emails pleading for the building to be spared.

The Guardian

With this planning you can maintain an indefinite stream of letters to pad out your daily word count!

The Guardian - Sport

She and others also point to the stream of letters that Mr. Berkowitz has received from people around the world, from places like Kharkov, Ukraine, and Leimen, Germany.

The New York Times

As the exercise changed to one that required her to quickly memorize a short stream of letters and type them on the keyboard, she closed her eyes entirely.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

In a study published in 2011, researchers asked participants to keep their eyes focused on one of the following objects on a changing chessboard: a series of moving discs in study one; or a stream of letter and digits in study two.

BBC

Indeed, to address this question, they developed a dual-stream rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) paradigm in which subjects were required to maintain central fixation on a stream of numeral stimuli while at the same time monitoring a peripheral stream of letter stimuli in order to detect an embedded target letter.

Plosone

But then Thurber was a compulsive correspondent as well as a sentimental one, churning out streams of letters not only to Eva but to his family and his friends, even to comparative strangers.

The New Yorker

Nonetheless, if such threats or attacks increase, other experts said, it is possible that devices developed to irradiate food or other products could be used to sterilize streams of letters and packages.

The New York Times

Anyone who has met her is impressed by her professionalism, her serious nature, her commitment to helping others – both the patients she treats and the young women who write her streams of letters wanting to follow in her footsteps.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stream of letters", consider the context. It often implies a large quantity and sometimes a lack of organization. Choose this phrase when you want to emphasize the continuous and abundant nature of the communication.

Common error

Don't assume that a "stream of letters" indicates importance or accuracy. The sheer volume doesn't guarantee the value or reliability of the content. Always assess the source and credibility of the letters, rather than being swayed by the quantity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stream of letters" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As shown in Ludwig, it describes a continuous flow or sequence of written communications.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stream of letters" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to describe a continuous flow of written communications. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While the phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, it can also appear in scientific and encyclopedic writing. When using "stream of letters", remember that it emphasizes quantity and continuity, but not necessarily the quality or value of the letters. In more formal settings, consider using alternatives like "succession of communications" or "steady influx of mail".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

torrent of correspondence

Emphasizes the intensity and volume of the letters.

continuous flow of messages

Focuses on the uninterrupted nature of the communication.

steady influx of mail

Highlights the regular arrival of letters through postal service.

constant barrage of letters

Implies an overwhelming and potentially negative amount of letters.

succession of communications

Formal alternative emphasizing the sequential nature of the messages.

series of letters

Describes letters as a sequence with some implied connection or commonality between letters.

outpouring of correspondence

Highlights an emotional and abundant expression through letters.

flurry of notes

Suggests a brief and excited period of exchanging letters.

wave of missives

Formal and less common way to describe a large number of letters.

chain of emails

Modernizes the phrase to include digital communication.

FAQs

How can I use "stream of letters" in a sentence?

You can use "stream of letters" to describe a large number of letters arriving continuously. For example, "The celebrity received a "stream of letters" from fans after the movie release".

What are some alternatives to "stream of letters"?

Alternatives include "torrent of correspondence", "continuous flow of messages", or "steady influx of mail", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "stream of letters" in formal writing?

While "stream of letters" is understandable, consider more formal alternatives like "succession of communications" or "steady influx of mail" in professional or academic contexts. The choice depends on the desired tone.

What does "stream of letters" imply about the letters themselves?

"Stream of letters" suggests a continuous flow and a large quantity of letters. It doesn't necessarily imply anything about the content, quality, or source of the letters. The content could vary.