wave of accidents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wave of accidents" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden increase or series of accidents occurring in a specific timeframe or location. Example: "The city experienced a wave of accidents during the heavy rainstorm, leading to multiple road closures and delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A wave of accidents involving construction cranes in places like New York, Miami and Las Vegas has raised concerns about the safety of the industry.

The New York Times

The rail system has experienced a wave of accidents, slowdowns and other service failures in that period that have cost it public confidence and sent many traditional train riders onto the already overloaded British highways.

The New York Times

But police spokesman Sam Collins said it was being enforced because of "the wave of accidents involving motorcyclists and the taking away of precious lives".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Now — without the refuge — the choreographer Sally Silvers is orchestrating a wave of fruitful accidents in "A Prize Every Time".

The New York Times - Arts

It shows that, 20 to 30 years apart, one can single out from history two waves of major accidents across safety critical systems.

Safety Science

A wave of horrific traffic accidents in Russia in recent weeks has prompted high-level meetings and vows from top officials to improve the safety of the country's roads, where the deaths per capita are several times higher than in most developed countries and are nearly double the figure in the United States.

The New York Times

From the recent wave of deadly crane accidents in New York City to the devastating oil spill in the Gulf, it is clear that our national safety system is in crisis.

Huffington Post

For Mr. Nataadiningrat, the loss of income was only the first wave of effects from the accident; next came the panic attacks and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The New York Times

The Accident & Emergency Department Data Set (EDDS) is a new dataset within HIRU/SAIL and the first wave of data for the 13 Accident & Emergency (A&E) Departments in Wales for 2009 has been cleaned and validated.

BMC Public Health

Traffic used to be so scarce that drivers would wave as they passed an oncoming car; now there are record numbers of accidents.

The New York Times - Magazine

Cadbury triggered it by accident, but a wave of chefs who champion what is known as "multisensory gastronomy" are exploiting it with ambitious intention.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wave of accidents", specify the type of accidents or the affected area to provide more context and clarity. For example, "a wave of traffic accidents" or "a wave of industrial accidents".

Common error

Avoid using "wave of accidents" in overly dramatic or sensationalist contexts. Ensure the phrase is supported by factual data and avoid exaggerating the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wave of accidents" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a sudden increase or series of unfortunate events. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts ranging from construction crane incidents to traffic accidents.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wave of accidents" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a sudden increase in accidents, as affirmed by Ludwig. It serves to inform and emphasize a concerning trend, prompting further attention or action. While appropriate for formal and neutral contexts, overuse or sensationalist reporting should be avoided. Ludwig's examples illustrate usage in news reports, scientific articles, and general discussions, demonstrating its versatility in conveying the occurrence of multiple accidents within a specific timeframe or location.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spate of accidents

Replaces "wave" with "spate", indicating a sudden, large number of accidents.

surge of accidents

Substitutes "wave" with "surge", emphasizing a sudden and powerful increase in accidents.

upsurge in accidents

Similar to "surge", but with "upsurge", indicating a noticeable increase in accidents.

cluster of accidents

Replaces "wave" with "cluster", suggesting a grouping of accidents in a specific area or time.

outbreak of accidents

Emphasizes a sudden and unexpected occurrence of multiple accidents, akin to an outbreak of disease.

series of mishaps

Uses "mishaps" instead of "accidents", softening the severity, and "series" for a sequence of events.

rash of incidents

Replaces "accidents" with "incidents", a broader term, and "rash" for a sudden outbreak.

succession of accidents

Highlights the sequential nature of the accidents, implying they occurred one after another.

increase in collisions

Focuses specifically on "collisions", often referring to traffic accidents, and highlights the rise in number.

chain of accidents

Implies a series of accidents linked together, possibly with one leading to another.

FAQs

How can I use "wave of accidents" in a sentence?

You can use "wave of accidents" to describe a sudden increase in the number of accidents in a specific area or time period. For example, "The city experienced a "wave of accidents" during the heavy rainstorm".

What can I say instead of "wave of accidents"?

You can use alternatives like "spate of accidents", "surge of accidents", or "rash of incidents" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "wave of accidents" in formal writing?

Yes, "wave of accidents" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when reporting on incidents or analyzing trends. However, ensure the tone remains objective and factual.

What's the difference between ""wave of accidents"" and "series of accidents"?

""wave of accidents"" implies a sudden increase and a large number occurring within a short period, while "series of accidents" simply indicates a sequence of accidents that may or may not be closely related in time.