a column of ants

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a column of ants" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a line or formation of ants moving together, often seen in nature or when discussing insect behavior. Example: "As I walked through the garden, I noticed a column of ants marching steadily across the path, carrying food back to their nest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

At first, it resembles a column of ants, then a pulled suture.

The New Yorker

"Every guy out there is either married, gay, or a human suit zipped around a column of ants".

The New Yorker

Each is impatient for 9 a.m., when the door will swing open and the material remains of Mrs. Wetterhahn's existence will be scoured and gone over by estate-sale scroungers, advancing as relentlessly as a column of ants.

The New York Times

Looking at the traffic is like watching a column of ants, going hither and thither in a courteously chaotic way.

Huffington Post

At Kartabo Beebe discovered the phenomenon known as an ant mill, a column of ants following itself in an endless loop until nearly all of them died of exhaustion.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Wolfe continued his soliloquy for much of the trip into the jungle — even after an unfortunate pit stop notable for a painful run-in with a column of red ants.

The New Yorker

The jungle patrol missions could involve any number of run-ins with snakes, spiders, armed drug traffickers, or, in one case, a column of marauding ants that was around 15 feet wide and a little over half a mile long that made a chattering noise as they swamped the camp "like a blanket".

Vice

The jungle patrol missions could involve any number of run-ins with snakes, spiders, armed drug traffickers, or in one case a column of marauding ants that was around 4.5 meters wide and nearly a kilometre long that made a chattering noise as they swamped the camp "like a blanket".

Vice

From a distance, it looked as though a column of tiny red ants was marching across the lapel.

The New Yorker

Then it disgorged a column of maggots.

The New Yorker

You know this partly because 36 seconds into the video, these words appear on screen: "A raiding column of female ants is on the hunt for prey," and partly because of the ominous bass-driven music, "Mind Heist," from the trailer to the movie "Inception".

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a column of ants" to vividly describe the orderly and linear movement of these insects, especially when emphasizing their collective behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "a column of ants" to describe disorganized or chaotic groups. The term implies a structured and linear arrangement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a column of ants" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it accurately describes a formation of ants moving in an organized line.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a column of ants" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe an organized, linear formation of ants. Ludwig confirms its accurate usage in various contexts, primarily in news, media, and scientific sources. While relatively infrequent, the phrase effectively conveys the visual image of ants moving in an orderly manner. Alternatives such as "a line of ants" or "a trail of ants" offer similar descriptive power, depending on the desired emphasis. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that it accurately reflects the observed behavior of the ants, avoiding its application to disorganized groups. Ludwig's analysis helps clarify the nuances and appropriate usage of this descriptive phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a line of ants

Changes the visual metaphor from a vertical column to a horizontal line, emphasizing the sequential arrangement.

a trail of ants

Focuses on the path created by the ants, rather than their formation.

an army of ants

Emphasizes the large number and organized nature of the ants.

a stream of ants

Suggests a continuous flow of ants, similar to a liquid.

a procession of ants

Implies a more deliberate and orderly movement of the ants.

a swarm of ants

Highlights the large, densely packed group of ants.

a marching line of ants

Explicitly states the act of marching in a line, adding emphasis to the movement.

a file of ants

Describes the ants as being arranged one behind the other in a single line.

a chain of ants

Suggests the ants are linked together in some way, either physically or through pheromones.

a brigade of ants

Implies a large and well-organized group of ants acting together.

FAQs

How can I use "a column of ants" in a sentence?

You can use "a column of ants" to describe the orderly movement of ants. For example, "We watched "a column of ants" carrying crumbs back to their nest".

What is another way to describe "a column of ants"?

Alternatives include "a line of ants", "a trail of ants", or "a stream of ants", depending on the visual image you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a line of ants" instead of "a column of ants"?

Yes, "a line of ants" is a correct and commonly used alternative. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the linear formation (line) or the vertical, orderly progression (column).

What does the phrase "a column of ants" suggest about their behavior?

The phrase "a column of ants" suggests that the ants are moving in an organized and orderly manner, typically towards a specific destination such as a food source or their nest.