a horde of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a horde of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a large group of people or things, often with a connotation of chaos or overwhelming numbers. Example: "As the festival began, a horde of excited fans rushed towards the stage, eager to see their favorite band perform."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And a horde of reporters.

The New York Times

Or a horde of giant mutant rats?

The Guardian - Arts

Their reward: poison ivy and a horde of ticks.

The New York Times

What it really needed was a horde of undercover Orcs.

The Guardian

A painting, said Picasso, is "a horde of destructions".

The Guardian - Books

"There's no doorman, it's just my home," she said, swanning through a horde of pompadoured hipsters.

The New York Times

Once, after being downed, she found herself in a horde of retreating troops and civilians.

The New York Times

"I, frankly, am stunned," he told a horde of reporters and photographers.

The New Yorker

And these are minted in limited quantities, with a horde of contenders vying for each.

The New York Times - Sports

While cycles offer a horde of treasure, it is one with a familiar gleam.

The New Yorker

She passed a horde of drooling apes, who she gave a serious neck workout.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a horde of" to vividly describe a large, often chaotic group of people, animals, or things. It is particularly effective when emphasizing the overwhelming nature or potential disruptiveness of the group.

Common error

Avoid using "a horde of" when a more neutral term like "a large number of" or "many" would be more appropriate. "Horde" often carries a negative connotation of disorganization or threat, so choose your words carefully to avoid unintended implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a horde of" functions as a determiner and noun phrase, modifying a following noun to indicate a large, often overwhelming, quantity or group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to vividly describe a large quantity of people or things.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

10%

Huffington Post

7%

Less common in

Forbes

3%

The New Yorker

3%

Vice

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a horde of" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a large, often chaotic group. As Ludwig AI highlights, its purpose is to emphasize size and potential disruption, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral, it leans towards informal and should be used judiciously to avoid unintended negative connotations. Alternatives like "a multitude of" or "a large number of" may be more appropriate in formal settings. Remember to consider the specific context and desired nuance when using this expressive phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a multitude of

Emphasizes a very large number but can be slightly more formal.

a swarm of

Suggests a large, moving group, often insects or other small creatures.

a throng of

Implies a densely packed crowd of people.

a large number of

A more general way to indicate a significant quantity.

a great quantity of

Focuses on the amount or volume rather than a group.

a pack of

Often used for animals or groups behaving in a wild manner.

a sea of

Creates a visual image of something vast and expansive.

a mountain of

Suggests a large, imposing accumulation of something.

an army of

Implies a large, organized group, often with a specific purpose.

a flood of

Suggests an overwhelming influx or outpouring.

FAQs

How can I use "a horde of" in a sentence?

"A horde of" is used to describe a large, often disorganized, group of people or things. For example, "a horde of reporters" or "a horde of zombies".

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

Alternatives to "a horde of" include "a multitude of", "a swarm of", "a throng of", or "a large number of", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "a horde of" when referring to abstract concepts?

While "a horde of" is typically used for concrete nouns (people, animals, things), it can sometimes be used metaphorically with abstract concepts to emphasize a large and overwhelming amount. For example, "a horde of problems".

What is the difference between "a horde of" and "a herd of"?

"A horde of" generally implies a chaotic or disorganized group, applicable to people, animals, or things. "A herd of" specifically refers to a group of grazing animals (such as cattle or elephants) that live or are kept together.