a group of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a group of" is a correct and usable part of the sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a collection of people or things. For example, "We met with a group of investors to discuss the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A group of pensioners?

Independent

A group of U.S.O.

The New Yorker

A group of helicopters.

The New York Times

It's a group of guys.

The New York Times - Sports

They're a group of lads.

Independent

A group of women wailed.

The New Yorker

They're a group of brothers.

Independent

–"Oh look, a group of twelve men.

The New Yorker

"Then a group of people got rowdy".

The New York Times

It was a group of us.

The New Yorker

Walt Whitman noticed a group of them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a group of", ensure the noun that follows is plural. For example, "a group of students" not "a group of student".

Common error

Avoid using a singular noun after "a group of". The phrase refers to a collection, so the following noun should be plural. Instead of "a group of performer", say "a group of performers".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a group of" functions as a determiner phrase identifying a collection or assembly of items or individuals. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. The numerous examples provided by Ludwig shows its versality and use in many different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

31%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a group of" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to denote a collection or assembly of items or individuals. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and used across various contexts. When writing with this expression, ensure that the following noun is plural to maintain grammatical correctness. While alternatives like "a collection of" or "a number of" exist, "a group of" maintains a neutral register suitable for many writing styles. Its frequent appearance in News & Media and Wiki sources according to Ludwig, highlights its broad applicability in both formal and informal settings, making it a valuable addition to your linguistic toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a collection of

Implies a deliberate gathering or assembly of items.

a number of

Indicates an unspecified quantity or amount, similar to 'a group of'.

a set of

Refers to a defined or specific collection of items or individuals.

a team of

Emphasizes a collaborative unit working towards a common goal.

a gathering of

Refers to people or things coming together in one place.

a selection of

Emphasizes a choice from a larger set.

a cluster of

Suggests a close gathering or bunching of items or individuals.

a body of

Implies an organized or official collective.

a party of

Often used when referring to people together, especially in a social context.

an array of

Suggests an impressive or diverse display of items.

FAQs

How to use "a group of" in a sentence?

Use "a group of" to refer to a collection of people or things. For example, "A group of friends went to the movies" or "The scientist studied "a group of" cells under the microscope."

What can I say instead of "a group of"?

You can use alternatives like "a collection of", "a number of", or "a set of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a group of people is" or "a group of people are"?

Both can be correct depending on the context, but "a group of people is" treats the group as a single unit and is generally preferred. "A group of people are" emphasizes the individual members of the group.

What's the difference between "a group of" and "some"?

"A group of" implies a specific collection or assembly, whereas "some" simply indicates an unspecified quantity or number without necessarily implying a cohesive unit.