a group of eight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a group of eight" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a specific collection or assembly of eight individuals or items. Example: "The committee consists of a group of eight experts in the field of environmental science."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Soon a group of eight had gathered.

The New York Times

The battle began when coalition forces encountered a group of eight to 10 Taliban fighters.

The Washington Post

Plant species were comparatively graded for each parameter by a group of eight specialists.

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

A group of eight presbyopic subjects wore in succession four types of correction.

Contact Lens and Anterior Eye

Griffith, a Minneapolis lawyer, is the leader of a group of eight investors.

The New York Times - Sports

Because it means a group of eight leadership," not the relevant committees," she says.

The Guardian

Although he hosted a Group of Eight summit there, Obama visited the retreat just 39 times.

The Washington Post

A group of eight of us came to Calais to try to reach the UK.

The Guardian

In Yonkers, a group of eight birders gathered at Tibbetts Brook Park at 9 a.m.

The New York Times

And, in the magalogue's final pages, their clothes are removed by a group of eight girls.

The New Yorker

"A group of eight technologists started the company," Mr. Carlston said.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a group of eight", ensure the context clarifies whether you're referring to people, objects, or abstract entities to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a group of eight" when a more specific term like "octet" (for musicians) or "team of eight" would provide clearer and more precise meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a group of eight" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a collection of eight entities, be they people, objects, or abstract items. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is perfectly valid in the English language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a group of eight" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for denoting a collection of eight entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid English expression. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic sources, the phrase maintains a neutral register and serves to quantify the size of a collective. While alternatives such as "a team of eight" or "an octet" may offer more context-specific clarity, understanding when and how to use "a group of eight" effectively ensures clear communication across diverse scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a team of eight

Replaces "group" with "team", specifying a collection of individuals working together towards a common goal.

eight individuals

Replaces "a group of" with a more explicit numerical description.

a pool of eight

Replaces "group" with "pool", suggesting a set of individuals or resources available for a purpose.

a panel of eight

Substitutes "group" with "panel", suggesting a formal collection of experts or judges.

an ensemble of eight

Uses "ensemble" instead of "group", often implying a group of performers or items that create a harmonious whole.

eight members

Uses "members" instead of "group", stressing the individual participation in a bigger whole.

a cluster of eight

Uses "cluster" instead of "group", implying a close gathering or bunching of eight items or people.

a party of eight

Uses "party" instead of "group", typically in the context of dining or social gatherings.

an octet

Replaces the whole expression with a single word, common for music.

a population of eight

Substitutes "group" with "population", highlighting the number of individuals within a defined area or category.

FAQs

How can I use "a group of eight" in a sentence?

You can use "a group of eight" to describe a collection of eight individuals or items. For instance, "A group of eight students worked together on the project".

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

You can use alternatives like "a team of eight", "a party of eight", or "an octet" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "group of eight" or "eight people"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "a group of eight" implies a more cohesive unit, while "eight people" is a simple numerical description.

When should I use "an octet" instead of "a group of eight"?

"An octet" is best used when referring to a musical ensemble or a set of eight lines in poetry. In other contexts, "a group of eight" is more appropriate.