a class of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a class of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a group of people who share some common trait or characteristic. For example, "The teacher welcomed a class of eager students to the first day of school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Later, a class of schoolchildren came through.

The New Yorker

2. A class of cadets at attention.

The New Yorker

DR. TYSON -- With a class of one?

The New York Times - Science

In a class of its own.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Ward also believes a class of three "isn't good".

The Guardian

From her endorsement he got a class of 17 children.

The Guardian

You're in a class of maybe 25 or 30.

The New York Times

The boy Booth is in a class of his own.

The Guardian - Sport

Embracing capitalism has created a class of urban plutocrats.

The Guardian

"Inflation is actually a class of theories," said Dr. Guth.

The New York Times - Science

Woods is in a class of his own.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a class of", ensure the noun that follows accurately reflects the group's shared characteristics. For example, "a class of students" is appropriate if they are all students.

Common error

Avoid using "a class of" in very informal or casual conversations where simpler alternatives like "some" or "a group of" might be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "a class of friends", consider "some friends".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a class of" functions as a determiner followed by a noun, introducing a category or group. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in academic, scientific, and general contexts, showing its versatility in defining sets of entities. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a class of" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to categorize and group items, concepts, or individuals. It appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing, as confirmed by Ludwig's extensive examples. While Ludwig AI validates its correctness, it's important to consider the context and formality level when choosing between "a class of" and alternatives like ""a group of"" or ""a category of"". Using "a class of" appropriately enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a category of

This alternative directly replaces "class" with "category", maintaining a similar meaning of grouping items with shared characteristics.

a type of

Similar to 'category', this alternative emphasizes the distinct nature or kind of entities being grouped.

a kind of

Similar to 'type', this alternative emphasizes the specific nature or variety of entities being grouped.

a group of

This alternative shifts the focus from classification to a collection of entities, suitable when the emphasis is on the aggregation.

a set of

This alternative is more suitable in mathematical or formal contexts, denoting a collection of distinct elements.

a collection of

This emphasizes a gathering or accumulation of items, rather than a formal classification.

a sort of

This alternative suggests a less formal or precise categorization, implying a loose grouping.

a range of

This highlights the diversity or spectrum within the group, rather than a uniform classification.

a division of

This suggests a partitioning or segmenting into distinct groups.

a subset of

Suitable when referring to a smaller group contained within a larger, broader group.

FAQs

How can I use "a class of" in a sentence?

You can use "a class of" to refer to a group or category of things. For example, "This medication belongs to "a class of antibiotics"" or "We studied "a class of vertebrates" in biology class.

What are some synonyms for "a class of"?

Alternatives to "a class of" include "a group of", "a category of", "a type of", or "a kind of", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a class of people"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "a class of people". It is used to refer to a group of individuals sharing a common characteristic or belonging to a particular category, such as "a class of citizens".

When is it better to use "a group of" instead of "a class of"?

Use "a group of" when emphasizing the collection or aggregation of items or individuals, whereas "a class of" is more appropriate when highlighting a shared attribute or categorization. For example, "a group of friends" emphasizes their companionship, while "a class of students" emphasizes their status as students.