a big group of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a big group of' is a perfectly acceptable construction in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a large number of people, animals, or things that are gathered together. For example: At the park, we saw a big group of children playing tag.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"There's a big group of us here.

The New York Times - Sports

"There was a big group of them.

The Guardian - Sport

A big group of runners has congregated.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We are like a big group of cousins".

The New York Times

The team: It's a big group of us.

The New York Times

A. Locals come with friends, usually, so you are in a big group of people.

The New York Times - Travel

"He was in that corner in a big group of Welsh fans.

Independent

In 1995 I moved here with a big group of friends.

The New York Times - Food

And then there is a big group of people who are soft or undecided".

The New York Times

There's a big group of guys here I've played with for seven or eight years".

The Guardian - Sport

"It's like going out with a big group of friends after school," she says.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a big group of", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes a 'big' group. This can vary depending on the situation and audience.

Common error

Avoid using "a big group of" when a more precise number or quantifier is available. Instead of saying "a big group of people", specify "more than 20 people" or "a significant number of participants" if possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big group of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a sizable quantity or collection. It is used to describe the size of a group, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

28%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a big group of" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a large collection of individuals or items. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and the examples illustrate its use across various contexts, particularly in news, media and wikis. While versatile, it's important to consider the level of formality required and whether a more precise quantifier might be more appropriate. Remember to contextualize the size of the group for clarity. You can replace "a big group of" with similar phrases like "a large number of" or "a considerable amount of" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large number of

Replaces "big" with "large", emphasizing the quantity.

a considerable amount of

Uses "considerable" to suggest a noteworthy quantity.

a significant quantity of

Replaces "group" with "quantity", focusing on the amount.

a multitude of

Emphasizes the numerous nature of the group.

a vast collection of

Uses "vast collection" to indicate a wide assortment.

a substantial body of

Employs "substantial body" to refer to a significant assembly.

a numerous set of

Focuses on the count by using "numerous set".

a throng of

Implies a densely packed gathering of people.

an abundance of

Highlights the plentiful nature of the gathering.

a host of

Suggests a large and impressive gathering.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "a big group of"?

You can use alternatives like "a large number of", "a considerable amount of", or "a multitude of" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a big group of" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a big group of" may be considered informal. In formal writing, more precise or sophisticated alternatives like "a significant number of" or "a substantial body of" might be more suitable.

How can I make my use of "a big group of" more specific?

Provide additional context. For example, instead of saying "a big group of protesters", specify "a big group of protesters numbering over 500".

What's the difference between "a big group of" and "a large group of"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable. However, "large" might be perceived as slightly more formal than "big", although the difference is minimal.