a set of students

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a set of students' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express the idea of a group of students. For example, "The teacher divided the class into a set of students who worked on the experiments and a set of students who focused on the theory behind them."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

This paper presents a survey conducted to a set of students who employed CM in learning SE.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

So now, the TA is talking to a set of students who have really engaged this problem.

Cornell University

Additionally, this article begins with a graphic called a sociogram (explained here and exemplified here) that maps the relationships among a set of students.

The New York Times

This study attempts to provide more conclusive answers by remedying the most glaring data problems for a set of students (third graders) in one school district.

Stanford University

They all tend to redefine a set of students as a class of employees, ending the pretense that they are anything else, perhaps, but also pointing out why that pretense has always been such a lousy one to perpetuate.

The New Yorker

When I went to school it was common place for a teacher to place a text book in front a set of students and offer the simple yet daunting line, "copy that".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Vander Ark: Whether our philanthropist chooses one big coordinated strategy or a series of smaller entrepreneurial bets, I would suggest organizing most of this giving around a specific geography — a city or a region — so that we can tie it to a set of student outcomes.

The New York Times - Magazine

To incentivize peer support, Ng says that students are rewarded for helping to grade other students, after they can prove that their assessments match the same grade that the instructor gives on a set of student homework.

TechCrunch

This evaluation focused largely on comparing Project CALC students (PC) with traditionally taught students (TR) on a set of student outcomes including attitudes, skills, concepts, problem solving and writing.

Duke University

Each photo was rated for overall quality, from "very poor" to "excellent," by a set of student raters before the study.

HuffPost

It's like turkey season for some, but in all actuality they are trying a set of student skills to see where we have the answers and where we don't.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a set of students" when referring to a defined or identifiable group within a larger population, such as in a research study or a specific program.

Common error

Avoid using "a set of students" in casual conversation where simpler terms like "some students" or "a few students" would sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a set of students" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a determiner phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a collection or group of students considered as a unit. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

40%

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a set of students" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to denote a group of students, particularly in academic, news, and scientific contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. While effective in formal writing, simpler alternatives might be preferable for casual conversations. When using this phrase, consider the specific context and aim for clarity in your communication. Remember to reserve it to specifically identify a group of students when there is a need to specify their grouping from the rest.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a group of students

Replaces "set" with "group", a common synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

a class of students

Substitutes "set" with "class", emphasizing a formal educational grouping.

a body of students

Uses "body" instead of "set", providing a more formal and collective tone.

a cohort of students

Replaces "set" with "cohort", often used to denote a group sharing specific characteristics or experiences.

a selection of students

Emphasizes that the students are chosen from a larger pool.

a number of students

Focuses on the quantity of students rather than their grouping.

several students

A more concise way to indicate multiple students are involved.

a collection of students

Similar to "group", but can imply a more deliberate assembly.

certain students

Indicates specific but unspecified students are being referred to.

designated students

Highlights that the students have been officially assigned or chosen.

FAQs

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

You can use "a set of students" to refer to a particular group being studied or observed, such as, "The researcher focused on "a set of students" with similar academic backgrounds."

What are some alternatives to using "a set of students"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a group of students", "a class of students", or "several students". Consider the specific nuance you want to convey when choosing an alternative.

Is it more formal to say "a set of students" or "some students"?

"A set of students" generally sounds more formal and is often used in academic or research contexts. "Some students" is more casual and suitable for everyday conversation.

When is it appropriate to use "a cohort of students" instead of "a set of students"?

"A cohort of students" is best used when referring to a group that shares a common experience or characteristic, such as entering a program or graduating in the same year. It implies a shared journey, whereas "a set of students" is a more neutral grouping.