upsurge of attacks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upsurge of attacks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden increase in the frequency or intensity of attacks, whether in a military, cyber, or metaphorical context. Example: "The recent upsurge of attacks on the network has raised concerns about our security measures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Analysts said an improvement in the weather accounted for the upsurge of attacks because choppy seas in the early part of the year had made it difficult for fast but small pirate boats to operate.

The Guardian

A suicide bomber wrought havoc at the funeral of two Sunni Arab militia members in north Iraq yesterday, killing at least 50 people, and injuring another 50, amid an upsurge of attacks against anti al-Qaida security groups.

The Guardian

Shell has "down-manned facilities in some field locations" and "is concerned about the recent upsurge of attacks on its facilities in Eastern Niger Delta," a Shell spokeswoman in Nigeria said.

The New York Times

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has cut short a visit to an African Union summit to deal with an upsurge of attacks in the Sinai peninsula.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Mr Zahir was speaking to us during an upsurge of Taliban attacks in the Afghan capital which have killed dozens of Afghans and several foreigners, including American soldiers, British embassy staff and South African aid workers.

BBC

So, how has Israel responded to Hamas's renewed promise and upsurge of rocket attacks?

Huffington Post

The reasons for the timing of the upsurge in attacks is also unclear.

Los Angeles Times

— Muskilda Zancada, Head of Mission for Syria at Médecins Sans Frontières, condemned the continued fighting in Aleppo and warned of an "upsurge in attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, including affecting hospitals".

Vice

It's not that anyone would wish to live through such agony again, but rather that the extraordinary upsurge of fellow feeling that the attacks produced seems precious.

The New York Times

Although the large-scale organized killing of past decades has ended, this summer there has been an upsurge of riots, shootings, gasoline bomb attacks, gangland-style killings and vigilante beatings.

The New York Times

Although the large-scale organized killing that cost more than 3,600 lives over three decades has ended, this summer there has been an upsurge of riots, shootings, gasoline bomb attacks and beatings as a form of punishment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "upsurge of attacks", ensure the context clearly indicates a sudden and noticeable increase in the frequency or intensity of the attacks. Avoid using it for describing a consistently high level of attacks.

Common error

Avoid using "upsurge of attacks" when the level of attacks has been consistently high over a period. "Upsurge" implies a change from a lower to a higher level, not a sustained state. Use phrases like "high incidence of attacks" or "frequent attacks" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upsurge of attacks" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an event or situation characterized by a sudden increase in hostile actions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upsurge of attacks" is a noun phrase used to describe a sudden increase in the number or intensity of attacks, typically in contexts related to conflict, violence, or security threats. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and appropriate for use in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media sources and less commonly in academic or encyclopedic contexts. When employing the phrase, it's crucial to ensure that it accurately reflects a change from a lower to a higher level of attacks, rather than a consistently high level.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surge in attacks

Synonymous replacement of "upsurge" with "surge", connoting a powerful and sudden increase.

increase in attacks

Replaces "upsurge" with a more general term for rising quantity; reduces formality.

rise in attacks

Substitutes "upsurge" with "rise", another common term denoting an increase; slightly less intense.

spike in attacks

Replaces "upsurge" with "spike", suggesting a sudden, sharp increase.

escalation of attacks

Replaces "upsurge" with "escalation", emphasizing an increase in intensity or seriousness.

intensification of attacks

Substitutes "upsurge" with "intensification", highlighting a greater degree of severity.

wave of attacks

Uses "wave" to suggest a series of attacks happening in quick succession.

outbreak of attacks

Employs "outbreak" to convey a sudden and widespread occurrence of attacks.

growing number of attacks

More descriptive, focusing on the numerical increase rather than the suddenness.

recent increase in hostilities

More formal and general, referring to hostile actions rather than specifically "attacks".

FAQs

What does "upsurge of attacks" mean?

The phrase "upsurge of attacks" signifies a sudden and noticeable increase in the number or intensity of attacks. It suggests a shift from a previously lower level of activity to a higher one.

What can I say instead of "upsurge of attacks"?

You can use alternatives like "increase in attacks", "rise in attacks", or "spike in attacks", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "upsurge of attacks" in a formal context?

Yes, "upsurge of attacks" is suitable for formal contexts, especially in news reporting and academic writing. However, in certain business or diplomatic settings, a more neutral term like "increase in hostilities" might be preferred.

How does "upsurge of attacks" differ from "wave of attacks"?

While both phrases describe a high number of attacks, "upsurge of attacks" emphasizes the sudden increase in activity, while "wave of attacks" suggests a series of attacks happening in close succession or a repeating pattern.