a muster of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a muster of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a gathering or assembly of a specific group, often in a formal or military context. Example: "The soldiers gathered for a muster of their ranks before the inspection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Such a muster of officers had never happened before.

The New Yorker

A muster of remarkable musicians who also happen to be Harvard graduates gathered in Sanders Theatre Thursday night (Oct . 11 to serenade the soon-to-be inaugurated University President Drew Faust.

Harvard University

Always close at hand was her favorite reference book, "Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable" and in it her favorite entry — "Assemblage, nouns of" — as in, "a clutch of eggs," "a muster of peacocks," "a bench of bishops". Eudora once challenged me to play the game.

The New York Times

We were part of a muster of youth activists meeting in Morocco, in a desert (and nearly deserted) village outside of Ouarzazate, the notable but small city on the open plateau just south of the High Atlas Mountains.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A building bursts; a car explodes; a mustering of people is wiped out.

The New Yorker

Tears come whenever she dwells on her fate, but so too does a mustering of courage.

The New York Times

The Kremlin has painted the deployments of warplanes and air defenses as a mustering of forces to confront the Islamic State.

The New York Times

Rockingham's revolutionary taste is represented in "Mares and Foals" (1763-68), a mustering of horses, without masters or grooms, in which the heads of the young are buried beneath the bellies of their dams, but which turns into a shameless exercise in sentimental lactation, the domestic virtue of the herd on display for an age besotted with the subject.

The New Yorker

This is not yanking but a mustering of power to get the bar moving upwards.

WikiHow

A browser found a muster roll of Captain John B. Scott's Company of Royal American Reformers this entry, dated Sept. 4, 1778: "Corporal John Scram - deserted".

The New Yorker

Since then, American novelists have created a yeasty muster of private investigators and other enduring apprehenders of evildoers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a muster of" when you want to evoke a sense of formality or tradition in describing a gathering, especially of people or animals.

Common error

Avoid using "a muster of" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a group of" or "a gathering of" for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a muster of" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It signifies a gathering or assembly, often with connotations of formality or official procedure, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a muster of" is a noun phrase used to describe a gathering or assembly, often in a formal or traditional context. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase. While not overly common, it appears in diverse contexts such as news media, academic texts and wikis. When writing, it is best to reserve this phrase for instances where you want to convey a sense of formality or tradition. For more casual or informal situations, alternatives such as "a gathering of" or "a group of" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a gathering of

Replaces 'muster' with a more common synonym, slightly altering the formality.

an assembly of

Similar to 'gathering', but suggests a more formal or organized collection.

a collection of

A more general term for a group of items or people.

a group of

Simplifies the phrase to its most basic form, reducing formality.

a compilation of

Implies a deliberate assembling of items, often written or documented.

an array of

Suggests an organized or impressive display.

a convocation of

A more formal term, often used in academic or ecclesiastical contexts.

a concentration of

Implies a dense or focused gathering in a specific area.

a convergence of

Suggests different elements coming together at a single point.

a build-up of

Implies a gradual accumulation or increase over time.

FAQs

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

Use "a muster of" to describe a gathering, often of soldiers or peacocks, as in "The general oversaw "a muster of" the troops" or "We saw "a muster of" peacocks in the garden".

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

You can use alternatives like "a gathering of", "an assembly of", or "a collection of" depending on the context.

Is "a muster of" formal or informal?

"A muster of" is generally considered a more formal phrase. In informal contexts, consider using "a group of" or "a gathering of" instead.

What does "a muster of" typically describe?

"A muster of" often describes a formal gathering, especially of soldiers or animals like peacocks. It evokes a sense of order and tradition.