a gaggle of nincompoops

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a gaggle of nincompoops" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a group of foolish or silly people, often in a humorous or derogatory context. Example: "During the meeting, it felt like I was surrounded by a gaggle of nincompoops who couldn't agree on anything."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A gaggle of news media.

The New York Times - Sports

First, a gaggle of girls.

The Guardian - Film

A gaggle of swans take flight.

The Guardian - Travel

A gaggle of serious-faced doctors arrived.

The New York Times

A gaggle of gurus delivers a harsh verdict.

The Economist

A gaggle of Canada geese meandered overhead, honking.

The New Yorker

A gaggle of TV crews awaited the decision outside.

The New Yorker

Beneath them are a gaggle of smaller partnerships.

The Economist

The town is a gaggle of unkempt buildings.

The Economist

Outside, a gaggle of Fleet Street photographers had assembled.

The New Yorker

He has a gaggle of patents to his name.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a gaggle of nincompoops" sparingly and with consideration for your audience, as it can be perceived as offensive or overly informal in certain contexts. Aim for humorous or satirical effect when employing this phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "a gaggle of nincompoops" in formal writing or professional communication. Its informal and slightly derogatory nature is inappropriate for serious or respectful discourse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a gaggle of nincompoops" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a collective noun followed by a descriptive noun. This structure is used to identify and characterize a group of people, highlighting their perceived foolishness or incompetence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a gaggle of nincompoops" is a grammatically correct but informal phrase used to describe a group of foolish or incompetent people. Ludwig AI validates its usability. Due to its potentially offensive connotation, it's best reserved for humorous or satirical contexts and avoided in formal settings. Alternatives such as "a group of fools" or "a bunch of idiots" may be more appropriate depending on the situation. Given its limited usage, it's crucial to consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing before employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A group of fools

Directly replaces "gaggle" with "group", and "nincompoops" with "fools", resulting in a more straightforward and less colorful expression.

A flock of twits

Employs "flock" instead of "gaggle", and "twits" instead of "nincompoops", offering a lighter and more British-sounding alternative.

A pack of nitwits

Substitutes "gaggle" with "pack", and "nincompoops" with "nitwits", giving it a slightly lighter and more playful tone.

A bunch of idiots

Uses "bunch" instead of "gaggle", and "idiots" for "nincompoops", making it more informal and potentially harsher.

A cluster of dunces

Replaces "gaggle" with "cluster", implying a tightly packed group, and "nincompoops" with "dunces", a classic term for someone considered slow-witted.

A herd of blockheads

Replaces "gaggle" with "herd" suggesting a less organized gathering, and "nincompoops" with "blockheads", implying stubborn stupidity.

A troop of numbskulls

Uses "troop" instead of "gaggle", suggesting a more active group, and "numbskulls" instead of "nincompoops", conveying a lack of intelligence.

A crowd of dunderheads

Uses "crowd" instead of "gaggle", suggesting a larger gathering, and "dunderheads" instead of "nincompoops", implying a lack of common sense.

A collection of simpletons

Employs "collection" instead of "gaggle", and "simpletons" instead of "nincompoops", offering a slightly more archaic and literary feel.

An assembly of imbeciles

Replaces "gaggle" with "assembly", and "nincompoops" with "imbeciles", resulting in a more formal and highly derogatory expression.

FAQs

How can I use "a gaggle of nincompoops" in a sentence?

You can use "a gaggle of nincompoops" to describe a group of people acting foolishly or incompetently. For example, "The project failed because it was managed by "a gaggle of nincompoops" who didn't know what they were doing."

What can I say instead of "a gaggle of nincompoops"?

You can use alternatives like "a group of fools", "a bunch of idiots", or "a collection of simpletons" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "a gaggle of nincompoops" a formal expression?

No, "a gaggle of nincompoops" is not a formal expression. It is considered informal and humorous, and may even be seen as offensive in some contexts. Use it with caution and consider your audience.

What does "gaggle" mean in the phrase "a gaggle of nincompoops"?

In this context, "gaggle" refers to a group or collection, similar to words like "bunch" or "group". It is often used to describe a disorderly or noisy gathering, adding to the humorous effect when combined with "nincompoops".