a loose formation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a loose formation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a group or arrangement that is not tightly organized or structured, often referring to physical formations or abstract concepts. Example: "The birds flew in a loose formation across the sky, adapting to the changing winds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Behind them drifted a loose formation of men and women perched atop well-groomed horses and wearing boots, breeches and hunting coats.

The New York Times - Magazine

Instead, the team proposes a cluster of small satellites that travel around the Earth in a loose formation, close enough to each other to be able to image the same spot on the ground from their various vantage points.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That is certainly true of al-Shabaab, which was born out of the Islamic Court Union, a loose formation of Islamic judicial systems that managed to restore some sort of civil order after years of a violent anarchy in Somalia, opening the Mogadishu airport and earning the support from a Somali majority.

The Guardian

We ride in a loose formation, forcing the sheep into a single bunch as we move towards the neck of a valley.

BBC

A loose formation is however liable to suffer very heavy casualties under the same conditions.

Wikipedia

The combined effect of Duncan's orders was to split his fleet into two uneven divisions, each sailing in a loose formation towards the unified Dutch line.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The conference held here to day resulted in the formation of a loose organization that is expected to result in future meetings by the representatives of the 12 states.

The New York Times

Indeed, such a future concept will consist of a two-satellite long-distance loose formation, where each satellite is controlled independently to be drag-free, GOCE-like.

IFAC-PapersOnLine

We aim to be flexible, durable, and to leverage the strengths of our many partnerships so as to be a collection of parts flying in loose formation.

Duke University

In another town south of Kirkuk city, men were recently filmed standing in loose formation wearing mismatched uniforms.

Independent

It might not have been the fastest, quietest or most luxurious airliner, and it has often been described, fondly, as 'a collection of parts flying in loose formation,' and yet pilots and operators worldwide liked to say that the 'only replacement for a DC-3 is a DC-3.'.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing groups or arrangements, consider using "a loose formation" to indicate a lack of strict order or rigid structure. This can apply to both physical arrangements (e.g., a flock of birds) and abstract concepts (e.g., a coalition of organizations).

Common error

Avoid confusing "loose", which describes something not tightly bound, with "lose", which means to misplace or be defeated. For instance, a team might adopt "a loose formation" on the field, but they don't want to "lose" the game.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a loose formation" is that of a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It often describes the arrangement or configuration of entities, as seen in Ludwig's examples of objects or people.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

23%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"A loose formation" is a noun phrase used to describe an arrangement that lacks strict order or rigid structure. According to Ludwig, it appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Wiki. It is grammatically correct and can be used in various contexts, from describing military tactics to the arrangement of protesters. When using this phrase, be mindful not to confuse "loose" with the homophone "lose". While generally neutral in tone, it is important to consider the specific context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended meaning. Alternative phrases such as "an unorganized grouping" or "a scattered array" can be used to add variety or emphasize specific aspects of the arrangement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unorganized grouping

Replaces 'loose' with 'unorganized', emphasizing the lack of structure.

a scattered array

Substitutes 'formation' with 'array' and 'loose' with 'scattered', focusing on the dispersed nature.

a relaxed configuration

Uses 'relaxed' instead of 'loose', implying a more informal arrangement, and replaces 'formation' with 'configuration'.

an informal arrangement

Replaces 'loose' with 'informal', highlighting the lack of strict structure in the arrangement, and replaces 'formation' with 'arrangement'.

a flexible alignment

Replaces 'loose' with 'flexible', suggesting adaptability, and replaces 'formation' with 'alignment'.

a haphazard collection

Changes 'loose' to 'haphazard', emphasizing randomness, and substitutes 'formation' with 'collection'.

a disordered pattern

Uses 'disordered' instead of 'loose', highlighting the lack of order, and substitutes 'formation' with 'pattern'.

an unstructured assembly

Replaces 'loose' with 'unstructured', emphasizing the lack of a rigid structure, and substitutes 'formation' with 'assembly'.

a casual disposition

Substitutes 'loose' with 'casual', implying a relaxed attitude, and replaces 'formation' with 'disposition'.

a rambling sequence

Changes 'loose' to 'rambling', suggesting a wandering nature, and substitutes 'formation' with 'sequence'.

FAQs

How can I use "a loose formation" in a sentence?

You can use "a loose formation" to describe various scenarios where items or individuals are arranged in a non-rigid or unstructured manner. For example, "The protesters gathered in "a loose formation" in front of the building."

What are some alternatives to using "a loose formation"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "a loose formation" could include phrases like "an unorganized grouping", "a scattered array", or "an informal arrangement".

Is "a loose formation" formal or informal language?

"A loose formation" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it appears more frequently in news and media than in strictly academic writing.

What's the difference between "a loose formation" and "a rigid formation"?

"A loose formation" implies a flexible, unstructured arrangement, while "a rigid formation" suggests a strict, well-defined structure.