a federation of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a federation of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a group or organization that is formed by multiple entities coming together for a common purpose. Example: "The United Nations is a federation of countries working together to promote peace and security."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Malaysia is a federation of 13 states and three federal territories.

Wikipedia

Malaysia is a federation of 13 states and two federal territories.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

"The logic is for a federation of nation states rather than for a federal Europe.

The Guardian

Though often characterized as a federation of monarchs, the German Empire, strictly speaking, federated a group of 26 states.

Wikipedia

Pakistan is a federation of four provinces (described above), a capital territory and federally administered tribal areas.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Or a federation of sovereign states?

The New York Times - Books

Is Europe evolving inexorably into a federation of states?

The Economist

Czechoslovakia is a federation of the Czech and Slovak republics.

The New York Times

It is a federation of unions, not an individual union.

The New York Times

This monitoring program is a federation of ground-based remote sensing aerosol network conducted by NASA.

Advances in Space Research

The process template plays an important role as a federation of published engineering services.

Computers & Industrial Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a federation of" when you want to emphasize the voluntary union of distinct entities for a common purpose while preserving their individual identities.

Common error

Avoid using "a federation of" when describing a completely centralized organization, as this term implies a degree of autonomy among the constituent parts. If there is no real autonomy among the entities it's better to opt for other options like "a union of", or "an integrated system".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a federation of" functions as a noun phrase modifier, specifically as a determiner and pre-modifier, describing the type or composition of a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its use in various contexts, highlighting its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a federation of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates a union of distinct entities for a common purpose, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is prevalent across various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While its formality varies, it generally maintains a neutral tone, except within academic and scientific contexts, where it takes on a more formal register. It is important to distinguish its meaning from other similar terms such as "union" or "alliance", to ensure an accurate use of the english language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a confederation of

Implies a looser association than a federation, with more autonomy for individual members.

an alliance of

Emphasizes a voluntary association for mutual benefit, often implying a shared goal or purpose.

a coalition of

Suggests a temporary union for a specific purpose, often involving diverse groups with potentially conflicting interests.

a union of

Implies a more formal and lasting объединение, often with a strong central authority.

a consortium of

Suggests a collaboration of organizations pooling resources for a specific project or venture.

an association of

Indicates a formal group with shared interests or goals, often involving membership and regular meetings.

a league of

Often used for sports or political organizations, suggesting a structured competition or cooperation among members.

a collective of

Suggests a group working together, often with a focus on shared ownership or decision-making.

a network of

Highlights interconnectedness and communication among members, often without a formal structure.

a body of

Refers to a group of people or things, often with a specific function or purpose.

FAQs

How is "a federation of" different from "a union of"?

"A federation of" implies that member entities retain a degree of autonomy, while "a union of" suggests a more tightly integrated structure with less individual independence.

When is it appropriate to use "a federation of"?

Use "a federation of" when describing a group where distinct entities come together for a common purpose but maintain their separate identities and some level of self-governance.

What are some alternatives to "a federation of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "an alliance of", "a coalition of", or "a consortium of".

Can "a federation of" be used to describe a group of people?

While less common, "a federation of" can describe a group of people if they are organized into distinct, self-governing units that cooperate for a shared objective. It is more commonly used to describe groups of organizations or entities.