a group of fish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a group of fish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to multiple fish collectively, often in a biological or ecological context. Example: "While snorkeling, I was amazed to see a group of fish swimming together in the coral reef."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The industry has been roiling since last fall, when a group of fish harvesters attempted to leave the established Fish, Food, and Allied Workers union and form a breakaway union called the Federation of Independent Sea Harvesters of Newfoundland and Labrador, better known as FISH-NL.

Vice

A group of fish is called so gross why are all these fish here?

The New Yorker

In the case of Lake Malawi, it is a group of fish known as cichlids that has attracted attention.

The Economist

At some point back in deep time, a group of fish were washed into a limestone cave somewhere in northeastern Mexico.

The Guardian

"The stripers are social creatures, and one small group will take up with another until you have quite a group of fish assembled".

The New York Times - Sports

RAYs and skates are considered to be closely related to each other within a group of fish called elasmobranchs (thank you, interwebs!) so we will consider them interchangeable for the purposes of this puzzle.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Weakfish, also called Sea Trout, (genus Cynoscion), any member of a group of fishes in the croaker family, Sciaenidae (order Perciformes).

Britannica

The guitarfishes are a group of fishes that are closely related to the rays and are either classified as a separate order (Rhinobatiformes) or as a suborder (Rhinobatoidei) of the ray order (Batoidei).

Britannica

Oct. 31 (AP)— The United States command said this week that nine South Vietnamese civilians were killed, 25 were wounded and 15 were missing in a mis taken attack by American heli copter gunships on a group of fishing boats last June 20.

The New York Times

Gasterosteiform (order Gasterosteiformes), any member of a group of fishes characterized generally by tubular mouths, soft fin rays, pelvic fins located on the abdomen, an air bladder without a duct to the gut, and a primitive kidney.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It has been known that the first backboned land animals the ancestors of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, including ourselves evolved from a group of fishes about 370 million years ago during the Devonian period.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about fish, consider using more specific terms like "school" or "shoal" instead of "group" to enhance clarity and precision, especially in scientific or descriptive contexts.

Common error

While "a group of fish" is grammatically correct, relying too heavily on "group" can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "school", "shoal", or "aggregation" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a group of fish" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It denotes a collection of individual fish considered together. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a group of fish" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote multiple fish. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's important to consider context. For more precise descriptions, especially in scientific or marine contexts, alternatives like "school" or "shoal" are often preferable. The phrase appears across various sources, making it suitable for both formal and informal communications. Being mindful of potential overuse and employing synonyms can enhance clarity and reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a school of fish

Replaces "group" with "school", a more specific term often used for fish.

a shoal of fish

Uses "shoal" instead of "group", another term often used for fish particularly in British English.

a cluster of fish

Substitutes "group" with "cluster", indicating a gathering of fish.

a collection of fish

Replaces "group" with "collection", implying a gathered assembly of fish.

a gathering of fish

Uses "gathering" instead of "group", suggesting a congregation of fish.

an aggregation of fish

Substitutes "group" with "aggregation", indicating a mass or cluster of fish.

a community of fish

Replaces "group" with "community", highlighting the social aspect of the fish.

a population of fish

Uses "population" instead of "group", focusing on the fish as a biological unit.

a number of fish

Replaces "group" with "number", a less specific term for multiple fish.

several fish

A more concise way of saying there are multiple fish present.

FAQs

Is it more accurate to say "a school of fish" or "a group of fish"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "a school of fish" is often more accurate when referring to fish that swim together in a coordinated manner. "A group of fish" is a more general term.

What are some synonyms for "a group of fish"?

Synonyms include "a shoal of fish" (especially in British English), "a cluster of fish", "a collection of fish", and "an aggregation of fish".

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

You can use "a group of fish" in sentences like: "The diver spotted a group of fish near the coral reef" or "Scientists are studying the behavior of a group of fish in the lake."

Is there a collective noun specifically for fish?

Yes, the most common collective nouns for fish are "school" and "shoal". "School" typically refers to fish swimming together, while "shoal" can refer to fish gathered in one area, swimming together or not.