a string of troops

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a string of troops" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a continuous line or sequence of military personnel moving together, often in a specific formation or during a march. Example: "As the sun rose, a string of troops marched across the field, their boots echoing in unison."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But it has a string of troops deployed across the continent, and has been rapidly but quietly expanding its operations since the Pentagon established an Africa Command (AFRICOM) in 2007.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In recent months, men wearing Afghan army and police uniforms have carried out a string of attacks on U.S. troops.

The Washington Post

After the New York Draft Riots, in 1863, and a string of defeats by Union troops, many people in the North began agitating for peace.

The New Yorker

Air Force planes dropped a vast majority of unguided bombs, often a string of several dozen on troops in the open or in barracks.

The New York Times

Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, apologised yesterday for a string of crimes involving American troops based in Japan, amid warnings that failure to improve discipline risked damaging relations between Washington and one of its closest allies.

The Guardian

A string of military victories by troops from Nigeria and neighboring Chad, Cameroon and Niger has reclaimed much of the territory the Islamists controlled earlier this year, but they retain the ability to mount deadly attacks on civilians.

Huffington Post

That was a 15-day drive late this summer in which 500 Afghan and 500 American soldiers tried to clear an estimated 200 to 250 Taliban insurgents out of much of Paktia Province, secure southeastern Afghanistan's most important road and halt a string of suicide attacks on American troops and local governors.

The New York Times

But in the case of Mali, the troubled north African country with a serious jihadi problem, the French are playing the usual American role of global terrorist-hunter, launching a string of airstrikes and deploying 2,500 troops to its former colony in what could end up being a long and dirty war, à la Afghanistan.

Vice

Wednesday night's crash is the latest in a string of helicopter training accidents involving Camp Pendleton troops, which have killed a total of 10 Marines over the past year.

The New York Times

Al-Shabab has carried out a string of attacks in Kenya since 2011, when Kenyan troops moved into southern Somalia to fight the militants there.

BBC

Although they arrived too late to participate in Braddock's defeat, the French troop presence led to a string of French victories in the following years.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a string of troops", ensure the context clearly indicates a linear arrangement or sequential movement of military personnel. For other types of formations use more appropriate alternatives such as "a unit of soldiers" or "a column of troops".

Common error

Avoid using "a string of troops" to describe a group of soldiers in a dispersed or non-linear formation. This phrase specifically implies a line or sequence, so using it incorrectly can create a misleading image for the reader. Consider alternatives like "a group of soldiers" or "a unit of soldiers" for general military groupings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a string of troops" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates its usability in describing a line or sequence of military personnel. Examples show it being used to describe deployed forces and movements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a string of troops" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase, mainly found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage for describing a linear arrangement or sequential movement of military personnel. It is essential to use this phrase when conveying a sense of a line or sequence, otherwise alternatives should be considered to accurately portray military arrangements or groupings. Related phrases include "a line of soldiers" and "a column of troops".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a line of soldiers

Replaces "troops" with the more specific "soldiers" and "string" with "line", emphasizing the linear arrangement.

a column of troops

Substitutes "string" with "column", highlighting a more structured formation.

a contingent of soldiers

Uses "contingent" to refer to a body of soldiers.

a unit of soldiers

Emphasizes the organized grouping aspect of the military personnel.

a stream of soldiers

Replaces "string" with "stream" to suggest a continuous flow.

a procession of troops

Highlights the formal marching aspect of the group.

a parade of soldiers

Similar to procession, this conveys a formal and perhaps celebratory march.

a file of troops

Implies a single line formation.

a rank of soldiers

Emphasizes the alignment and order of the troops.

a wave of soldiers

Indicates a large group moving forward, like a wave.

FAQs

How can I use "a string of troops" in a sentence?

You can use "a string of troops" to describe a line or sequence of military personnel moving together. For example: "As the sun rose, a string of troops marched across the field."

What are some alternatives to "a string of troops"?

Alternatives include "a line of soldiers", "a column of troops", or "a procession of troops", depending on the specific formation or movement you want to convey.

Is "a string of troops" formal or informal?

The phrase "a string of troops" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's more commonly found in news reports and historical accounts. In a very formal military context, more precise terminology might be preferred.

What's the difference between "a string of troops" and "a unit of troops"?

"A string of troops" implies a linear arrangement or sequence, while "a unit of troops" refers to an organized military group, regardless of its specific formation. So, a string could be part of a larger unit.