a lively bunch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lively bunch" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe a group of people who are energetic, animated, and full of life. Example: The children at the birthday party were a lively bunch, running around and playing games with endless enthusiasm.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

To the couple, the crowd probably looked like just a lively bunch from the neighborhood.

The New York Times - Food

(That is not uncommon -- Mr. Daniels's supporters are a lively bunch).

The New York Times

He turns up at a club to confront Nucky, where he endures casual racism ("You people certainly are a lively bunch!").

The Guardian - TV & Radio

At the ceremony, my table was near the front — round, clothed in burgundy, and surrounded by eight of us, the other seven much younger than I, a lively bunch, fun and full of wisecracks.

The New Yorker

They were a lively bunch, carousing like high school or fraternity pals: mock insults, playful punching and general horsing around … all the elements of adolescent-boy-fun with plenty of laughter.

The New York Times

After the long trip home to Gateshead, she was in her primary school classroom in Sunderland at 7am, trying to outflank a lively bunch of four- and five-year-olds.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Ghanaian politicians are an extremely lively bunch; some pundits say that the absence of primogeniture in tribal clans results in a tradition of fierce competition for power.

The Economist

My co-workers were a diverse and lively bunch of characters with whom I shared a great deal of extracurricular fun.

Vice

Then we made our way to the bus, finished our roadie-ing duties — still a lively, chatty bunch after all that.

University of California, Berkeley

In Le Monde, Isabelle Regnier reports on a "lively new bunch" of young French filmmakers for whom "do it yourself is their manifesto," some of whom have films at Cannes this year, the average budgets of which are " 'more or less' a million euros".

The New Yorker

The allure of this lively bunch and their rough-and-tumble world casts a strong spell over Cologio, who is given a more economical handle, C, by his mentor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a lively bunch" when you want to emphasize the positive energy and enthusiasm of a group. It's particularly effective when the group's behavior is noticeable and adds to the overall atmosphere.

Common error

Avoid using "a lively bunch" in formal or professional settings where a more neutral or serious tone is required. The phrase can sometimes sound too informal or playful for such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lively bunch" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically acting as a noun modifier. It's used to characterize a group of people or things by highlighting their energetic and animated qualities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

13%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lively bunch" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a group of people who are energetic, animated, and full of life. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used in a variety of contexts, with a prevalence in News & Media and Academia. When writing, it's best to use this phrase in informal or semi-formal settings to effectively convey the energy and enthusiasm of the described group, while avoiding overly formal contexts where a more neutral tone is required. Consider alternatives such as "a dynamic group" or "a spirited group" to better match the desired tone and formality. Steer away from "a lively bunch" in professional context, since it might sound unprofessional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A dynamic group

Replaces "bunch" with "group" and "lively" with "dynamic", emphasizing energy and activity.

An energetic crowd

Substitutes "bunch" with "crowd" and "lively" with "energetic", focusing on the collective's vigor.

A spirited group

Replaces "lively" with "spirited", highlighting enthusiasm and determination.

An animated gathering

Uses "animated" instead of "lively" and replaces "bunch" with "gathering", suggesting vibrancy and coming together.

An enthusiastic set

Employs "enthusiastic" to convey excitement and swaps "bunch" for "set", changing the group descriptor.

A vivacious assembly

Replaces "lively" with "vivacious", indicating attractiveness and animation, and "bunch" with "assembly", changing the group descriptor.

A vibrant collection

Substitutes "lively" with "vibrant", emphasizing brightness and energy, and "bunch" with "collection", changing the group descriptor.

A frisky lot

Uses "frisky" instead of "lively", suggesting playfulness and energy, and "bunch" with "lot", changing the group descriptor.

An effervescent crew

Replaces "lively" with "effervescent", highlighting bubbling enthusiasm, and "bunch" with "crew", changing the group descriptor.

A zesty gathering

Employs "zesty" to convey enthusiasm and swaps "bunch" for "gathering", changing the group descriptor.

FAQs

How can I use "a lively bunch" in a sentence?

You can use "a lively bunch" to describe a group of people who are energetic and animated. For example, "The children at the party were "a lively bunch", running around and playing games."

What are some synonyms for "a lively bunch"?

Synonyms for "a lively bunch" include "a dynamic group", "an energetic crowd", and "a spirited group". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "a lively bunch" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a lively bunch" is generally more suitable for informal or semi-formal writing. In formal contexts, consider using more neutral or professional terms such as "an active group" or "an engaged team".

What does it mean to describe someone as "lively"?

Describing someone as "lively" means they are energetic, animated, and full of life. When used to describe a group as "a lively bunch", it suggests that the group as a whole exhibits these qualities.