wave of letters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wave of letters" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large number of letters being sent or received, often in a short period of time, such as in response to an event or announcement. Example: "After the announcement of the new policy, the organization received a wave of letters from concerned citizens expressing their opinions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The success of the movie also prompted a wave of letters from women saying they were the real Dorothy.

The New York Times

It happened in 1996, and the decision was reversed that year after a wave of letters and petitions were received by Fox.

The New York Times - Arts

A reader once wrote to ask why their Russian vine had died, and soon after I got a wave of letters asking, "How did she kill it?!" This is a beast of a plant, and you're quite barmy to plant one, let alone two, so take this opportunity to rip them out and replace with a better, large climber: Clematis montana, Lonicera henryi, Virginia creeper, wisteria or a combination.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In May, all 25 shut down and Walsh warned of a third wave of letters coming to additional shops with his 1,000 foot boundary.

Huffington Post

The creators are expecting a new wave of letters and pictures from children.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The group has claimed responsibility for a wave of letter bombs last month that caused one minor injury and led to international alarm after one package reached the office of the German chancellor, Angela Merkel.

The New York Times

Late last year, a package bomb addressed to Chancellor Angela Merkel was intercepted in her office's mailroom in the midst of a wave of letter bombs in Greece aimed at foreign embassies that was eventually traced to Greek anarchists.

The New York Times

For instance, it notes unexplained spikes in Ivins's nighttime lab activity right before the two waves of letters were sent.

Science Magazine

In January, March and May, he sent waves of letters to dispensaries within 1,000 feet of schools telling them they must close and describing in great detail the draconian penalties that may be imposed if they do not.

Huffington Post

The uncertainty is even greater for her colleague Mr. Morgano, 39, a maintenance worker who cut his forearm while fixing a jammed machine on the night of Sept. 18, 2001, when the Hamilton center processed the first wave of anthrax letters.

The New York Times

The health-insurance system in America has been so rotten for so long that losing even a bad plan is deeply frightening — which is why it verges on cruelty for the Administration to not have anticipated and prepared for what, based on press reports, seems to be a wave of cancellation letters.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wave of letters" to describe a significant increase in correspondence, often in response to a particular event or announcement. Ensure the context clearly indicates what triggered the surge.

Common error

Avoid using "wave of letters" without clearly establishing the cause or context. Readers need to understand what prompted the influx of correspondence to grasp the significance of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wave of letters" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a specific phenomenon—a large quantity of letters arriving or being sent. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe reactions to events or announcements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wave of letters" is a noun phrase used to describe a significant influx of letters, often in response to an event or announcement. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media, as well as formal business and scientific contexts. While there aren't a huge number of examples, alternatives such as "flood of correspondence" or "surge of mail" can provide similar meaning with varying levels of formality. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the cause of the increase in correspondence to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flood of correspondence

Replaces "letters" with "correspondence" for a more formal tone, and "wave" with "flood" to emphasize the large quantity.

deluge of letters

"Deluge" implies an overwhelming quantity, similar to a wave, but with a stronger connotation of being flooded or inundated.

surge of mail

Substitutes "letters" with "mail", a more general term, and "wave" with "surge", highlighting a sudden increase.

influx of letters

"Influx" describes an inward flow or arrival, suggesting a substantial number of letters coming in.

outpouring of letters

"Outpouring" suggests a spontaneous and abundant flow, often in response to an emotional event.

stream of letters

"Stream" implies a continuous flow, highlighting the ongoing nature of the letters arriving.

barrage of letters

"Barrage" suggests a rapid and intense outpouring, often implying criticism or complaints.

mass of letters

Focuses on the sheer volume of letters, emphasizing the collective quantity.

mountain of letters

Uses a metaphorical "mountain" to describe the overwhelming quantity of letters received.

rash of letters

"Rash" suggests a sudden and often unwelcome outbreak, implying a negative connotation.

FAQs

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

You can use "wave of letters" to describe a large number of letters arriving at once, often in response to something. For example, "The company received a "wave of letters" after announcing the new policy".

What's a good alternative to "wave of letters"?

Alternatives include "flood of correspondence", "deluge of letters", or "surge of mail", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "wave of letters" formal or informal?

"Wave of letters" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although alternatives like "flood of correspondence" may be more suitable for formal writing.

What is the difference between "wave of letters" and "avalanche of letters"?

"Wave of letters" describes a significant increase in mail, while "avalanche of letters" implies a sudden, overwhelming, and potentially destructive influx.