a pack of students

USAGE SUMMARY

"a pack of students" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is a noun phrase that refers to a group of students. Example: "As the bus pulled up to the campus, a pack of students eagerly boarded, already chatting and laughing with excitement for the start of the new semester."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A pack of students looted the school store, with impunity.

The New York Times

They say he led a pack of students at the institution, the Cranbrook School in Michigan, in tackling another student and cutting off his long blond hair as he screamed for help.

The New York Times

Still, Mr. Griffin trekked to Craftsbury for opening day, along with a pack of students from his school's cross-country skiing club, eager to feel their skis gliding on snow, even if artificial.

The New York Times - Travel

Last-Minute Worries After the opening session of freshman orientation at Behrend College back in June, Chris Ference disappeared into a pack of students to begin selecting his classes.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But the next week, when I joined Mr. Godiva and a pack of 15 students on a two-mile jog through the meatpacking district and across the High Line, he made good on his word.

The New York Times

As he waited in the car, Mr. George recalled, he saw his sons being chased by what he described as "a bloodthirsty pack" of students.

The New York Times

On Tuesday, a pack of 150 college students poured onto Parliament Street, the hub of the capital, to protest.

The New York Times

As we walked downtown, Taylor gave a pack of McGill University frosh students an odd, fixated look and mentioned to them how he'd once seen an old lady peeing in public at 2PM right at that spot.

Vice

He later snuck his film out of China in a pack of tea with a student going to Paris.

HuffPost

We were just 10 minutes into a tour at Boston University and part of a pack of at least 15 prospective students -- plus parents and younger siblings -- following the steps of a student tour guide.

The New York Times

The students — a pack of about 20 boisterous sixth graders — were meant to observe how the robots moved, then chart any patterns they saw on pieces of graph paper.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a pack of students" to convey a sense of unity or coordinated action among the students. This phrasing can be particularly effective when describing students moving together, such as during a school event or protest.

Common error

Avoid using "a pack of students" in highly formal or academic writing where a more neutral term like "group of students" or "cohort of students" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

A pack of students functions as a collective noun phrase, identifying a group of students considered as a single unit. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically correct, and examples show it being used in various contexts to describe students acting together.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pack of students" is a grammatically sound and acceptable phrase for describing a group of students, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with some usage in academia. While generally neutral, the word "pack" can sometimes carry a slightly informal or even negative connotation, so writers should consider their audience and the context. When a more formal tone is needed, alternatives such as "a group of students" or "a cohort of students" may be preferable. Ludwig examples demonstrate how the phrase is typically used to describe students acting together or moving as a unit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a group of students

Replaces "pack" with the more neutral term "group"

a crowd of students

Suggests a larger and potentially more disorganized gathering.

a cluster of students

Implies students gathered closely together.

a bunch of students

More informal and colloquial.

a throng of students

Suggests a densely packed and moving crowd.

a horde of students

Implies a large and possibly unruly gathering.

a team of students

Suggests a coordinated group with a shared purpose.

a cohort of students

More formal, often used in academic settings to describe a group progressing together.

a class of students

Refers to students attending a specific course together.

a sea of students

Emphasizes the large number of students, creating a visual image of a large mass.

FAQs

What does "a pack of students" mean?

The phrase "a pack of students" refers to a group of students, often suggesting they are moving or acting together in a unified manner.

What can I say instead of "a pack of students"?

You can use alternatives like "a group of students", "a crowd of students", or "a bunch of students" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it appropriate to describe students as "a pack"?

While grammatically correct, using "pack" can sometimes carry a connotation of wildness or lack of control. Consider your audience and the specific context to ensure it's appropriate. Terms like "a group of students" are generally more neutral.

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

You might say, "A pack of students rushed out of the lecture hall after the bell rang" or "The teacher led a pack of students on a field trip to the museum".