a group of fools

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a group of fools" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a collection of people who are perceived as lacking intelligence or common sense. Example: "During the meeting, it became clear that we were dealing with a group of fools who couldn't agree on anything."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Forced to work with a small-town recluse and a group of fools at a gun club in rural Massachusetts, Parker focuses on getting the cash and getting out.

University of Chicago

They think we're led by a group of fools".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But it seems to me to be a wonderful group of fools that, like the memorizers in "Fahrenheit 451," carry the written word with them everywhere.

The New Yorker

There is a sense of watching a group of talented Only Fools and Horses super-fans going through classic routines from the TV show (Del Boy falling through the bar, Rodney trying to explain to Trigger that his name is not Dave, and so on) without ever fully owning their stage adaptation.

BBC

We're a group of accident-prone fools who regularly trigger embarrassing situations that would permanently traumatize a normal person.

Huffington Post

YAHWEH SCHMO (SPIKE) -- In this first-ever "divine reality" show, a group of actors seeks to fool the Omnipotent Lord of Creation (currently being "retooled").

The New York Times

During the night of 10 May they approached the bridges: several teams had a few men dressed as Dutch military police pretending to bring in a group of German prisoners, to fool the Dutch detonation teams.

Wikipedia

But the group of "fools," led by a young surgeon and Harvard Medical School professor named Joseph Murray, felt strongly that they — and their dying patients — had nothing to lose and much to gain.

Harvard University

Activate isn't a powerful or significant new vehicle; it's just a group of poorly connected students making fools of themselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

Introducing himself as "Tugg Romney," Schmidt fools a group of "Kappas for Romney" until he makes a major factual error.

Huffington Post

Therefore, it's no surprise that a group of St . LouisCardinals celebrated April Fools' Day by having some fun with one of their teammates.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a group of fools" when you want to convey a sense of shared foolishness or lack of intelligence within a specific collective. Consider the context to ensure the term is appropriate and avoids unnecessary offense.

Common error

Avoid using "a group of fools" in formal or professional writing. Opt for more neutral or professional language, such as "a team experiencing challenges" or "individuals with differing perspectives".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a group of fools" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object within a sentence. It denotes a collective entity characterized by foolishness. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes people lacking intelligence or common sense.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

8.333333333333332%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

8.333333333333332%

Encyclopedias

3.3333333333333335%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a group of fools" is a noun phrase used to describe a collection of individuals perceived as lacking intelligence or good judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While versatile, the expression carries a negative connotation and should be used judiciously, avoiding overuse in formal contexts. Semantically related phrases include "a bunch of idiots" and "a collection of simpletons", offering alternative ways to convey similar meanings. Its primary function is to express criticism or disapproval, often found in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bunch of idiots

Emphasizes stupidity and lack of intelligence more strongly.

a pack of imbeciles

Highlights a severe lack of intelligence, more formal and derogatory.

a collection of simpletons

Suggests naivety and lack of sophistication.

a band of nitwits

Implies foolishness and incompetence.

a gathering of dunces

Highlights a lack of learning and understanding.

an assembly of blockheads

Emphasizes stupidity and stubbornness.

a troop of twits

Suggests silliness and lack of seriousness.

a crowd of nincompoops

Implies foolishness and lack of good judgment.

a cluster of morons

Highlights very low intelligence and poor decision-making.

a set of boneheads

Emphasizes a stubborn and foolish nature.

FAQs

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

You can use "a group of fools" to describe a collective perceived as lacking intelligence or making poor decisions, such as, "The project failed because it was managed by "a group of fools" who ignored all expert advice."

What are some alternatives to saying "a group of fools"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a bunch of idiots", "a collection of simpletons", or "an incompetent team" to convey a similar meaning without being overly harsh.

Is "a group of fools" a formal or informal expression?

"A group of fools" is generally considered an informal expression. It is more appropriate for casual conversation or informal writing than for formal or professional contexts.

What's the connotation of calling someone "a group of fools"?

Calling someone "a group of fools" carries a negative connotation, suggesting that they are not only unintelligent but also making poor decisions collectively. It can be seen as derogatory and insulting.