the spate of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the spate of' is correct and usable in written English when referring to a large number of similar events or occurrences happening in a short period of time.
For example, "The spate of negative press has made it difficult to maintain a positive public image".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But what does the spate of disasters mean for insurers?

Independent

SHOUTS & MURMURS about the spate of religious shows.

The New Yorker

The spate of suicides made headlines around the world.

The Guardian - Tech

The spate of withdrawals brought about the cash shortage.

The New York Times

Less noticeable, perhaps, is the spate of new foreign shops.

The New York Times

The spate of Broadway closings has garnered much attention.

The New York Times

The spate of revelations about expenses has infuriated the people.

The Guardian

SAD! Questions have been raised about how the Baltimore authorities have handled the spate of violence.

Independent

Still, the spate of killings has thrown people into a panic.

The New York Times

The spate of deaths is spurred, in part, by the easy access to prescription drugs.

The New York Times

Then there has been the spate of British records this season: eight thus far.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the spate of" to introduce a series of related events that have occurred in close proximity, often implying a sense of urgency or concern. For example, "The spate of layoffs has created uncertainty in the industry".

Common error

Avoid using "the spate of" when simply describing a general trend or increase over a long period. This phrase implies a cluster of events happening closely together, not a gradual change. Use it to describe closely occurring related events, like "the spate of burglaries" and not something gradual like "the spate of economic growth".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the spate of" functions as a determiner and noun phrase, typically introducing a description of multiple, usually undesirable, events occurring in close succession. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the spate of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI, to describe a sudden series of similar events, often with a negative connotation. Its usage is most common in news and media contexts. Remember to use it when emphasizing a cluster of events happening in close proximity and implying a sense of concern or urgency. While versatile, be mindful of its nuance and the potential misuse in place of gradual long-term changes. By remembering those writing guidance suggestions, your writing quality will certainly improve.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surge of

Replaces "spate" with "surge", emphasizing a sudden increase.

a wave of

Emphasizes a rising and falling pattern, suggesting a temporary increase.

a torrent of

Emphasizes the overwhelming quantity of something.

a series of

Focuses on the sequence of events rather than their intensity.

a rash of

Suggests a sudden and unwelcome increase in something undesirable.

an outbreak of

Implies a sudden and often negative occurrence, like a disease or conflict.

a flurry of

Conveys a sense of rapid and often chaotic activity.

a string of

Highlights the sequential nature of the events.

a cluster of

Highlights the grouping of similar events within a specific timeframe.

an epidemic of

Used to describe a widespread and rapidly increasing occurrence, often negative.

FAQs

How can I use "the spate of" in a sentence?

Use "the spate of" to describe a sudden series of similar events. For example, "The spate of layoffs affected many families in the town".

What are some alternatives to "the spate of"?

You can use alternatives like "a surge of", "a series of", or "a wave of" depending on the context.

Is "the spate of" formal or informal?

"The spate of" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it appears more frequently in news and media.

What does "the spate of" imply?

"The spate of" implies that there have been a large number of similar events occurring in a relatively short period, often with a negative or concerning connotation.