a school of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a school of" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when describing a group of people or things associated with the same school or institution. For example, "I met a school of new students from our local university."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

3. A school of eels.

The New Yorker

But we are a school of government".

The New York Times

"They found a school of herring somewhere".

The New Yorker

There is a school of carpentry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"That's a school of fish.

The New York Times - Sports

But that's not a school of jazz.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

It's a school of life for all its players.

The Guardian - Sport

Try moving elsewhere if you desire a public school or look for a school of choice.

WikiHow

"Declinism" has become a school of thought.

The Economist

A sample of 35 student teachers was selected from a School of Education.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

BAE is the recipient of a School of Biological Sciences Endeavour International Postgraduate Research Scholarship.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a school of" to describe a group of fish or marine animals, ensure the context makes it clear you're not referring to an educational institution. For example, "We observed a large school of tuna near the coast."

Common error

Avoid using "a school of" to describe groups of people unless they are explicitly associated with an educational institution or a shared ideology (e.g., "a school of thought"). Using it for random groups can sound awkward or incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a school of" functions primarily as a determiner followed by a noun, indicating a group or institution. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correct usage in various contexts, from describing groups of fish to academic departments. The examples showcase its versatility in different domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a school of" is a versatile phrase used to describe a group, institution, or system of thought. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and finds frequent use across diverse contexts, especially in news, scientific, and encyclopedia sources. Remember to use it accurately, ensuring the context aligns with its intended meaning, whether you're discussing marine life, academic departments, or philosophical perspectives. Avoid misusing it for general groups of people to maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

group of

This alternative is broader, referring to any collection of entities rather than specifically those associated with an institution or collective noun.

collection of

This alternative is a more general term for a gathering, suitable when the specific nature of the group isn't important.

an institution for

This rephrasing emphasizes the institutional aspect, focusing on the place or organization providing education or training.

a center for

This alternative highlights the function of a place as a hub or focus point for a particular activity or study.

an academy of

This choice suggests a more specialized or prestigious educational setting.

a faculty of

This refers specifically to the teaching staff within a department or institution.

a department of

This indicates a specific division within a larger organization or institution.

a program of

This refers to a structured set of activities or courses designed for a specific purpose.

a field of

This represents an area of study or expertise, moving away from the group connotation.

a discipline of

This alternative suggests a specific branch of knowledge or a system of rules.

FAQs

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

You can use "a school of" to refer to a group of fish swimming together, as in "We saw "a school of fish" during our snorkeling trip." It can also refer to a particular style or movement, such as "He belongs to "a school of thought" that values tradition."

What's the difference between "a school of fish" and just "fish"?

"Fish" is the general term for the animal, while ""a school of fish"" refers to a group of fish swimming together in a coordinated manner. Not all fish are necessarily part of a school.

When can "a school of" refer to an educational institution?

"A school of" can refer to a specific department or college within a larger university, such as "a school of engineering" or "a school of medicine". In these cases, it's part of the proper name of the institution.

What are some alternatives to "a school of thought"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a line of reasoning", "a way of thinking", or "a belief system" as alternatives to ""a school of thought"".