a posse of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a posse of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a group of people, often with a connotation of camaraderie or shared purpose, typically in informal contexts. Example: "The event was attended by a posse of enthusiastic fans who cheered for their favorite band."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A posse of waiters rattled cocktail shakers.

The New York Times

There was a posse of other young socialite pretties.

The New York Times

A posse of 300 could go with him.

The Economist

He also often traveled with a posse of female bodyguards.

The New York Times

A posse of BDR men carrying automatic rifles interrupted it.

The Economist

Paradorn Srichaphan has galvanized a posse of red-shirted Thais.

The New York Times - Sports

A posse of Tate curators stroll by, looking deeply unamused.

The Guardian - Arts

He organised himself a net and a posse of bowlers.

The Guardian - Sport

Since the 1980s it has been steered by a posse of sensible, business-friendly Labour politicians.

The Economist

A camera, a posse of friends and a casually affluent family followed along.

The New York Times

The poster predicted that "a posse of taxpayers may send them away".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a posse of" when you want to convey a sense of camaraderie, shared purpose, or even a slightly mischievous or adventurous spirit within a group.

Common error

Avoid using "a posse of" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "a group of" or "a team of" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a posse of" functions as a noun phrase acting as a determiner followed by a noun. It typically modifies another noun, indicating a group of people or things with a shared characteristic or purpose. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a posse of" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a group of people sharing a common characteristic or purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While effective for conveying camaraderie or shared intent, it's best reserved for informal to neutral settings. Alternatives like "a group of" or "a team of" are more suitable for formal writing. Remember to consider the context and desired tone when choosing whether to use "a posse of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a group of

More generic and neutral, lacking the connotation of shared purpose or camaraderie.

a band of

Similar in meaning, but often implies a more rebellious or unconventional group.

a team of

Suggests a group working together towards a specific goal, often in a professional or organized setting.

a troop of

Often refers to a group of performers or scouts, carrying a specific activity connotation.

a gang of

Implies a group with potentially negative or illicit intentions.

a gathering of

More formal and neutral, simply denoting an assembly of people.

an assembly of

Highly formal, suggesting a deliberate and organized meeting.

a collection of

Neutral term emphasizing the act of bringing things or people together, lacks the active pursuit implied by the original.

a cluster of

Suggests a tightly packed group, often lacking a shared purpose.

a multitude of

Emphasizes a large quantity rather than a unified group.

FAQs

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

You can use "a posse of" to describe a group of people, often implying they share a common goal or activity. For example: "A posse of friends went to the concert together."

What are some alternatives to "a posse of"?

Some alternatives include "a group of", "a band of", or "a team of", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "a posse of" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a posse of" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, it's best to use more neutral alternatives like "a group of" or "a team of".

What's the difference between "a posse of" and "a gang of"?

"A posse of" typically implies a shared purpose or camaraderie, while "a gang of" often suggests negative or illicit intentions. The connotation is significantly different.