surged upwards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surged upwards" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and significant increase in something, such as prices, emotions, or physical movements. Example: "The stock prices surged upwards after the announcement of the new product launch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Recent business indicators suggest that a bigger rebound is under way; several confidence surveys have surged upwards.

The Economist

For speaking up in favour of a Muslim woman's right to choose what she wears, the leader of the centre-left New Democratic party, Tom Mulcair, was punished with a disastrous collapse in his poll ratings, while Harper surged upwards.

The Guardian

He especially dreaded a recurring vision of the ocean "paved with innumerable faces, upturned to the heavens: faces, imploring, wrathful, despairing, surged upwards by thousands, by myriads, by generations, by centuries".

The New Yorker

The world's largest publicly traded energy company, ExxonMobil, produced a 38% jump in quarterly profits to $6.3bn£4.1bnbn) as the global price of a barrel of oil surged upwards and demand for natural gas increased in Europe.

The Guardian - Business

"The sculptor had only just begun to carve these forms," she said, "and they are hard to read". "Nonetheless," she went on, "one can gather that the figure originally surged upwards, perhaps on tiptoe.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Brilliant colour, light and drama; figures surging upwards through space.

The Guardian - Arts

Those foreign markets are surging upwards, particularly in Brazil, Russia, India and China, but also in Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

The Guardian - Film

This is what happens to a candidate who is surging upwards, but then suddenly surges in the wrong direction.

The Guardian

Falls in nominal property prices would hamper attempts to clear debts through private sales, and repossessions would surge upwards.

The Guardian - Money

From digging down for basement conversions to surging upwards with City skyscrapers, the capital is expanding anew as, with the recession receding, the inhabitants seek more space.

Independent

In the distance, surging upwards from the seabed flats of the Wye valley sweep the majestic Black Mountains, dressed in cerulean blue.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "surged upwards" to emphasize a strong and often sudden increase, particularly when describing trends, prices, or levels. It's more emphatic than simply saying "increased".

Common error

While grammatically sound, "surged upwards" can sound slightly informal in very formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "increased significantly" or "rose sharply" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surged upwards" functions as a verb phrase indicating a dynamic process. It describes a rapid and significant increase or movement in an upward direction. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Arts

20%

Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "surged upwards" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a significant and rapid increase or upward movement. While considered rare in overall frequency, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI validates its usage in English writing. When considering alternatives, phrases like "rose sharply" or "increased dramatically" may provide a similar meaning while adapting to different levels of formality. Using "surged upwards" can effectively emphasize the magnitude and speed of change, but be mindful of its potential informality in highly formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increased sharply

Focuses on the degree of increase, implying a rapid change.

rose dramatically

Emphasizes the significant extent of the upward movement.

climbed rapidly

Highlights the quick pace of the ascent.

shot up

Suggests a sudden and forceful upward movement.

leapt upwards

Implies a significant jump or leap in an upward direction.

ascended quickly

Focuses on the upward movement and its speed.

spiraled upwards

Suggests a winding or circular upward path.

soared

Indicates a graceful and powerful upward movement, often used metaphorically.

vaulted upwards

Implies an energetic upward movement, as if propelled by a jump.

moved upwards swiftly

Highlights both the upward direction and the speed of the movement.

FAQs

How can I use "surged upwards" in a sentence?

You can use "surged upwards" to describe a rapid increase or ascent. For example, "The demand for the product surged upwards after the celebrity endorsement."

What are some alternatives to "surged upwards"?

Alternatives include "rose sharply", "increased dramatically", or "climbed rapidly", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "surged upwards" redundant? Does "surged" already imply upward movement?

While "surged" often implies upward movement, adding "upwards" can emphasize the direction and intensity of the surge, providing additional clarity. It is not strictly redundant, but context matters.

Which is more appropriate, "surged upwards" or simply "surged"?

Both are correct, but "surged upwards" is more explicit about the direction of the movement. "Surged" alone is suitable when the upward direction is already clear from the context or is not essential to the meaning.