a round of pool

USAGE SUMMARY

"a round of pool" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is typically used when talking about a game of pool or billiards. For example, "Last night, we played a round of pool at the local bar. I ended up winning after sinking the eight ball in the corner pocket."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

McDonagh got up to play a round of pool.

The New Yorker

His only achievement there, he said, was playing a round of pool with a basketball-playing upperclassman, Wilt Chamberlain.

The New York Times

Even when there are no scheduled events, people can play a round of pool in the Steampunk Saloon or hang out in the open-air courtyard.

The Guardian

In a couple of minutes, the band comes upstairs, too, for a round of pool in the common room before bed.

The Washington Post

For a study in contrasts, pop into Kochevar's (127 Elk Avenue, 970-349-6745), one of Crested Butte's oldest bars (Butch Cassidy allegedly left his gun here when scurrying out the back door to avoid capture) for a round of pool and a bottle of Budweiser ($2.50).

The New York Times - Travel

Mr. Branson and Ms. Ekran continued on to the Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel for a round of pool and a rendezvous with Jamie Burke, the lead singer of the band Bloody Social and a childhood friend of Mr. Branson's.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The "Spy" star joined "The Tonight Show" host for a rousing round of pool bowling.

Los Angeles Times

True, Quins are a very long-odds bet to maintain an interest beyond this week's final round of pool matches – they need a bonus-point win away to the Scarlets on Sunday on top of Saracens losing at home to Connacht the day before, just for starters – but we should at least see those matches played out before jumping to conclusions.

Independent

Dragons travel to face Newcastle in mid January, followed by a home game against Stade Francais in the final round of pool matches a week later.

BBC

CATHEDRAL CITY — Newport Harbor High senior Nic Sargeant scored 15 points in the second round of pool play against a team from Shingle Springs, Calif., near Placerville, on Friday at the Max Preps Palm Springs tournament at Cathedral City High.

Los Angeles Times

The Coyotes were at full strength Tuesday, when they earned a 4-1 goldivisionon victory over Eastbluff in the opening round of pool play at the Farm Sports Complex.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a round of pool" in your writing, ensure the context clearly indicates a casual, recreational activity, typically involving friends or acquaintances in a relaxed setting.

Common error

Avoid using "a round of pool" in highly formal or professional contexts where the casual tone might be inappropriate. Opt for more formal alternatives like "a billiards tournament" or simply "playing billiards" in those scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a round of pool" functions as a noun phrase that serves as the object of a verb (e.g., 'play a round of pool') or as a complement in a sentence. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which showcase its role in describing a recreational activity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a round of pool" is a grammatically correct and common way to refer to a session or game of pool, often used in casual settings. According to Ludwig, the phrase accurately describes a recreational activity typically played among friends. While generally suitable for news and informal conversation, it is less appropriate for more formal or academic contexts, where alternatives like "a billiards game" might be preferable. The analyzed authoritative sources, including The New York Times and The Guardian, confirm its usage in general media and news reporting. Therefore, when choosing to use "a round of pool", consider the context and audience to ensure it aligns with the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a game of pool

This alternative replaces 'round' with 'game' to provide a slightly different way to indicate a session of playing pool.

a billiards match

This option uses the term 'billiards' to refer to the same game, offering a more formal or specific vocabulary choice.

a session of pool

Here, 'session' replaces 'round' to denote a duration or period dedicated to playing pool.

playing pool

This is a simplified form that focuses on the activity itself, omitting the 'round' quantifier.

a few frames of pool

The alternative phrase replaces the term round with 'frames', offering a specific term used in game.

a challenge at the pool table

Replaces a direct reference with a broader description of competing at pool.

an evening playing pool

Extends the activity to specify the time of day, emphasizing a longer duration of play.

a social game of billiards

This suggests playing billiards as a social activity.

some time shooting pool

Focuses on the action of 'shooting' or hitting the balls, rather than the formal game structure.

a friendly game of eight-ball

Specifies the type of pool game being played.

FAQs

How can I use "a round of pool" in a sentence?

You can say, "After work, we often unwind with "a round of pool" at the local pub", or "He challenged me to "a round of pool", and I couldn't refuse".

What is a more formal alternative to "a round of pool"?

For a more formal setting, consider using phrases like "a game of billiards" or simply "billiards" instead of "a round of pool".

What does "a round of pool" typically imply?

"A round of pool" suggests a casual, recreational activity, often played in a social setting like a bar or game room. It implies a friendly game rather than a serious competition.

Is it appropriate to use "a round of pool" in academic writing?

No, "a round of pool" is generally too informal for academic writing. Opt for more neutral terms like "billiards" or "pool game" if the context requires mentioning the activity.