a group of guys

USAGE SUMMARY

"a group of guys" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used to refer to a number of men or boys who are together or share a common interest or purpose. Example: At the park, I saw a group of guys playing basketball. They were laughing and having a good time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a group of guys.

The New York Times - Sports

I went up to a group of guys.

The New Yorker

A group of guys gives us that Other Look.

The New York Times - Magazine

We doing shots!" a group of guys cried out.

The New Yorker

Until a group of guys comes along and takes out all the stitches, one by one.

The Washington Post

"A group of guys that got together and formed a gang," Martorano replied.

The New York Times

"We were just a group of guys helping a friend," Kalisnik said.

The New York Times - Sports

One evening, at a friend's party, she's raped by a group of guys.

The New Yorker

It's about a group of guys stepping on the field to represent their country.

The New York Times

"I'm gay, so I have a group of guys I meet.

The New Yorker

You have to have a group of guys who are all willing to do it.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about informal situations, "a group of guys" is perfectly acceptable. However, consider more formal alternatives like "a group of men" in professional or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a group of guys" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more neutral terms like "a team of men" or "a group of individuals" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

A group of guys functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. It refers to a collection or gathering of male individuals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a group of guys" is a common and generally acceptable way to refer to a gathering of male individuals. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usability. While primarily found in news and media contexts, it's crucial to consider the register of your writing. For formal settings, alternatives like "a group of men" or "a team of individuals" are more appropriate. Remember to tailor your language to the specific context, balancing informality with clarity and professionalism. Consider substituting with phrases like "a bunch of men", "a team of fellows" or "a circle of lads" to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bunch of men

Replaces "guys" with "men", offering a slightly more formal tone.

a team of fellows

Substitutes both "group" and "guys" to suggest camaraderie and teamwork.

a circle of lads

Uses "circle" to imply a closer, more intimate gathering and "lads" as a British English alternative.

a gathering of chaps

Employs "gathering" for a more formal sense of assembly and "chaps" as a dated, yet recognizable synonym.

a set of blokes

Offers a British English equivalent, replacing "group" with "set".

a band of brothers

Implies a strong sense of solidarity and shared experience among the men.

a crowd of males

Uses more clinical and less colloquial terms.

a male ensemble

Suggests a coordinated or purposeful gathering of men.

a knot of youths

Indicates a small, tight-knit group of young men.

a cohort of fellas

Replaces "guys" with an archaic term, adding a vintage flavor.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "a group of guys"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "a bunch of men", "a team of fellows", or "a circle of lads".

Is "a group of guys" appropriate in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a group of guys" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's best to use more neutral phrases like "a group of men" or "a team of individuals".

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

You can use "a group of guys" to describe a gathering of men, such as: "A group of guys were playing basketball at the park" or "A group of guys decided to go camping together".

What is the difference between "a group of guys" and "a group of boys"?

"A group of guys" generally refers to adult or young adult males, while "a group of boys" refers specifically to young male children. The terms are not interchangeable.