Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
surges
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The word "surges" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb meaning to move forward or upward suddenly, powerfully, and in a large number. For example: "The surging waves crashed against the rocks."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Formal & Business
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Since its founding in 1934, the SNP had experienced its share of surges – the first in the late 1960s, another in the mid-1970s – but more often than not, the party found itself on the political sidelines, its claim to speak for Scotland ignored or disbelieved by most voters.
News & Media
Even outside the pantomime season, or possibly because of the pantomime season, no honour, out of the blizzard of honorific acronyms and archaisms that surges bianually out of Buckingham Palace, is cherished like that of dame.
News & Media
The article, Ukip is now more popular than Labour: Nigel Farage gets polls boost as Ukip surges ahead, was inaccurate in one rather important respect.
News & Media
See articleNokia surges, Microsoft dropsIn the second big deal of the week Microsoft beefed up its business in mobile devices and services by agreeing to pay €3.8 billion ($5 billion) for Nokia's handset division, which makes smartphones based on Windows.
News & Media
They are penned in: lifted and lowered by enormous surges of water in and out of the locks, while tied to locomotives to prevent them touching the sides.
News & Media
At the heart of his proposal is a plan to swap lots of existing Greek debt for "GDP-linked bonds"—an old idea whose time may at last have come.Since the 1980s globalisation has sent periodic surges of capital from the rich world to sovereign borrowers in the developing world.
News & Media
When there are surges of capital towards multiple destinations, for example, lots of countries may intervene simultaneously to mute inflows.
News & Media
Due to new regulatory restrictions and capital rules that make bond-trading less profitable, banks have cut back their inventories to the level of 2002, even though the value of bonds outstanding has doubled since then (see chart).That is a problem when trading surges, as it did between October 10th and 16th, when volumes rose by 67%.
News & Media
When capital surges in, governments ought to tighten controls; when cash departs, controls can be relaxed.This seems a neat solution, reconciling the dream of free-flowing cash to the untidy reality of global finance.
News & Media
Raul Velloso, a consultant, points out that public spending typically surges in the year before a presidential election.
News & Media
Richer Indian and Chinese consumers are indeed eating more meat than they did though a lot less than people do in the West but that shift has not been sudden enough to explain the price surges since 2006.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "surges" when you want to emphasize a sudden and powerful increase in something, whether it's data, emotions, or physical phenomena. The word choice evokes a sense of intensity and rapid change.
Common error
Avoid using "surges" to describe situations where increases are gradual or stable. This term is best reserved for scenarios involving rapid and dynamic growth.
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The primary grammatical function of "surges" is as a plural noun, often describing multiple instances of a sudden increase or upwelling. Ludwig examples show it describing phenomena like "capital surges" or "storm surges". According to Ludwig AI, the term indicates a powerful and sudden movement.
Frequent in
News & Media
66%
Formal & Business
17%
Science
17%
Less common in
Reference
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "surges" functions primarily as a plural noun denoting sudden and powerful increases. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage for describing such phenomena. As evidenced by Ludwig examples, the term is frequently used in news and media contexts to emphasize dynamic and impactful changes. While versatile, it's important to reserve its use for scenarios involving rapid increases rather than gradual or stable ones. Related terms include "spikes" and "escalations", each carrying nuances appropriate for specific contexts.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
sudden increases
Focuses on the abruptness of the rise, emphasizing the change in quantity.
rapid escalations
Highlights the speed and intensity of the increase, often used in critical situations.
abrupt rises
Similar to 'sudden increases' but with a slightly more formal tone.
powerful upswings
Emphasizes the strength and positive direction of the movement.
waves of increase
Uses a metaphorical wave image to convey the increasing nature.
floods of activity
Implies an overwhelming amount of activity, like a flood.
outbreaks
Similar to surges, outbreak can be used in a negative way such as describing the number of cases in a pandemic.
upswings
Focuses on the generally positive direction of the increase.
spikes
Highlights a sharp, pointed increase, often temporary.
quick upticks
Underlines a rapid and often small increase.
FAQs
How can I use "surges" in a sentence?
You can use "surges" to describe rapid increases: "The company experienced "surges in demand"." Or, you might say, "Surges of emotion swept over her."
What are some alternatives to "surges"?
Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "spikes", "increases", or "escalations" to describe a rise or surge.
Is it correct to use "surges" to describe a decrease?
No, "surges" typically implies an increase or upward movement. To describe a rapid decrease, consider using words like "declines", "plummets", or "drops".
What's the difference between "surges" and "increases"?
"Surges" suggests a sudden, powerful, and often temporary increase, whereas "increases" can refer to a gradual or sustained rise. "Surges" carries a connotation of intensity that "increases" may lack.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested