a column of army

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a column of army" is not correct in standard English.
The correct expression would be "a column of soldiers" or "an army column." Example: "The parade featured a column of soldiers marching in perfect formation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Disturbingly, the Pentagon has its aircraft-carrier battle group in the Mediterranean while the Kremlin has moved a column of army trucks into Crimea.

Independent

The rest of the day was spent chasing a column of army pick-up trucks carrying heavy anti-aircraft machine guns.

The Guardian

Russia has moved a column of army trucks and a number of artillery pieces into northern Crimea, eyewitnesses say.

BBC

Militants ambushed a column of army vehicles using an improvised explosive device and then hundreds attacked in the region of Amchide, 65 km (40 miles) north of Maroua, at around 10.30 a.m. local time (0930 GMT).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

That evening, a column of Chadian Army vehicles moved out of Abéché toward the rebel army.

The New Yorker

When the Guardian saw a column of Russian army vehicles enter Ukraine in August, the Russian foreign ministry and FSB security services issued statements that the newspaper was either confused or lying.

The Guardian

"Rescue teams are there, including a column of the army," news agency AFP quoted inspector general of police Rajesh Kumar as saying.

BBC

Two weeks ago, the army sent a column of troops and tanks along the desert road that leads to Aleppo to try and relieve beleaguered troops there.

BBC

Syrian authorities patted themselves on the back for the operation and claimed the army blasts hit a column of "terrorists".

Vice

A French army unit also attacked a column of rebels heading towards the town of Mopti.

The Guardian

So was the front-page picture of a column of Israeli soldiers on the march on July 20, the day after the army had first entered Lebanon.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a column of soldiers" or "an army column" for clarity and grammatical correctness. This ensures your writing is both accurate and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "a column of army". Instead, specify what the column consists of, such as "a column of soldiers" or restructure the phrase to "an army column".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a column of army" functions as a noun phrase, but it's grammatically questionable. Standard English prefers "a column of soldiers" or "an army column". As Ludwig AI suggests, the original phrase is not standard.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a column of army" appears in some contexts, it is not grammatically correct in standard English. As Ludwig AI clarifies, the preferred alternatives are "a column of soldiers" or "an army column". The phrase attempts to describe a military formation but suffers from improper word choice. It is more common in news and media but less suitable for formal writing. Using the recommended alternatives will enhance clarity and credibility. Remember to use "a column of soldiers" or "an army column" to adhere to standard English grammar.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a column of soldiers

Replaces "army" with the more specific and grammatically correct term "soldiers".

an army column

Rearranges the words for better flow and adheres to standard military terminology.

a military column

Substitutes "army" with the broader term "military" while maintaining correct grammar.

a troop formation

Focuses on the arrangement of troops rather than the specific branch.

a division of soldiers

Specifies a larger military unit, implying a more substantial group.

a line of troops

Emphasizes the linear arrangement of the soldiers.

a file of soldiers

Describes a single line of soldiers, often moving in a forward direction.

a convoy of army vehicles

Highlights the vehicles used by the army and suggests a logistical movement.

a parade of soldiers

Implies a ceremonial or celebratory display of military personnel.

a unit of soldiers

Describes a general group of soldiers acting as a single entity.

FAQs

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

You can say, "The general inspected "a column of soldiers" before the parade began".

Is it correct to say "a column of army"?

No, it's more grammatically correct to say "a column of soldiers" or "an army column".

What's the difference between "a column of soldiers" and "an army column"?

"A column of soldiers" refers to the physical formation of soldiers, while ""an army column"" more broadly describes a unit moving together.

What can I say instead of "a column of army"?

Use alternatives such as "a military column", "an army column", or "a column of soldiers" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.