a pack of cards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pack of cards" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a set of playing cards, typically used in games or for magic tricks. Example: "We gathered around the table for a game of poker, each of us holding a pack of cards."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The YoGen is smaller than a pack of cards.

The New York Times - Tech

One said he wished he had brought a pack of cards.

The Economist

Australia's batting has collapsed in a way that might shame a pack of cards.

The New York Times - Sports

He was inspired by the action of dealing a pack of cards.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I shut my eyes and imagined shuffling a pack of cards".

The New Yorker

Its for two, three, or four players who use a pack of cards and a pair of dice.

The New Yorker

It's a box, somewhat larger than a pack of cards, that attaches to your router and to your printer.

The New York Times

The fear is that English soccer is a pack of cards waiting to tumble if one big club goes bust.

The New York Times - Sports

It didn't matter what the game was, if it involved a pack of cards, we played it.

Independent

He took a pack of cards and lodged a black card between the deck and the palm of his hand.

The Guardian

Tomorrow: the four suits of a pack of cards Taken from Rogerson's Book of Numbers by Barnaby Rogerson (Profile).

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase can be used both literally, referring to a physical set of cards, or figuratively, such as when describing something collapsing easily ('like a pack of cards').

Common error

Avoid using "a pack of cards" literally when a figurative expression is intended. For example, instead of saying 'The plan was like a pack of cards', consider 'The plan was fragile and easily disrupted'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pack of cards" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig examples show its use in describing physical objects, games, or as part of figurative language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a pack of cards" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to refer to a set of playing cards, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It sees frequent use in News & Media. While "a deck of cards" is a close synonym, "a pack of cards" can also carry figurative meaning, describing something unstable or prone to collapse. When using the phrase, consider the context and choose the most appropriate alternative if needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A deck of cards

Replaces "pack" with "deck", a common synonym.

Full deck of cards

Another way to highlight completeness with deck instead of pack.

A set of playing cards

More descriptive, specifying the purpose of the cards.

Complete set of cards

Emphasizes completeness.

A collection of cards

Focuses on the assembled nature of the cards.

A stack of cards

Emphasizes the physical arrangement of the cards.

Playing cards

Omits "a pack of" focusing on the object itself.

52-card deck

Specifies the quantity and refers to it as a deck.

A gambler's tool

Highlights the association with gambling.

A magician's prop

Highlights the association with magic tricks.

FAQs

How can I use "a pack of cards" in a sentence?

You can use "a pack of cards" to refer to a set of playing cards, like "He shuffled "a pack of cards" before dealing." Or, you can use it figuratively to describe something unstable, such as "Their business partnership collapsed like "a house of cards"".

What are some alternatives to "a pack of cards"?

Alternatives include "a deck of cards", "a set of playing cards", or simply "playing cards", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a pack of cards" or "a deck of cards"?

Both ""a pack of cards"" and "a deck of cards" are correct and widely used, though "deck of cards" might be more common in some regions.

When might I use "a pack of cards" figuratively?

You can use "a pack of cards" figuratively to describe a situation or structure that is unstable and prone to collapse, similar to the phrase ""a house of cards"".