a swarm of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a swarm of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a group of things (insects, people, birds, etc.) that are moving together in an organized manner. For example, "There was a swarm of bees flying up to the tree".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Illustration of a swarm of bees.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A swarm of police officers was deployed.

The New York Times

"A swarm of reporters has landed here.

The New York Times

Releasing a swarm of contraband killer bees.

The New York Times

Encounters a swarm of camera crews.

The New York Times - Magazine

A swarm of blue-clad defenders smothered the attack.

The New York Times - Sports

A swarm of youngsters are soon upon them.

The New York Times

"Hundreds of them, like a swarm of crickets.

The New York Times

Controversy trails Silvio Berlusconi like a swarm of angry hornets.

The New York Times

Everywhere it goes it gathers a swarm of the covetous.

The New York Times

The months that followed brought a swarm of other emotions.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a swarm of" to vividly describe a large, moving group, particularly when the movement is somewhat chaotic or overwhelming. For example, "A swarm of reporters descended on the politician after the announcement."

Common error

Avoid using "a swarm of" to describe static or still collections of items. The phrase implies movement and activity, so it's not appropriate for describing, for example, "a swarm of books on the shelf". Consider alternatives like "a collection of" or "a pile of" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a swarm of" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It modifies a noun, quantifying it as a large, moving group, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

17%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a swarm of" is a versatile phrase used to describe a large, moving group of entities, often implying a sense of chaotic or overwhelming activity. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "a multitude of" or "a host of" exist, "a swarm of" uniquely captures the dynamic and sometimes unsettling nature of a large, moving group. Remember to reserve it for entities that are actively moving, rather than static collections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a crowd of

A general term for a large gathering of people, without necessarily implying movement.

a multitude of

Indicates a great number or quantity of something, emphasizing abundance rather than movement or activity.

a host of

Similar to "a multitude of", but often used in a more celebratory or welcoming context.

an army of

Emphasizes the strength and organized nature of a large group, often with a militaristic implication.

a throng of

Specifically refers to a large, densely packed crowd of people.

a pack of

Suggests a group of animals or people acting together, often with a predatory or competitive connotation.

a cluster of

Implies a close grouping of similar items or objects.

a wave of

Implies a sudden surge or influx of something, like emotions or events.

a collection of

A more formal term for a group of items, often carefully assembled or curated.

a flood of

Similar to "a wave of", but suggests a more overwhelming or destructive force.

FAQs

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

Use "a swarm of" to describe a large number of entities moving together, particularly when the movement is chaotic or numerous. For instance, "A swarm of bees filled the air" or "A swarm of reporters surrounded the celebrity".

What words can I use instead of "a swarm of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a multitude of", "a host of", "a throng of", or "a cloud of".

Is it correct to use "a swarm of" to describe people?

Yes, it is acceptable to use "a swarm of" to describe people, especially when they are moving in a large, somewhat disorganized group. For example, "A swarm of tourists descended on the museum".

What distinguishes "a swarm of" from "a crowd of"?

"A crowd of" generally refers to a large gathering of people in one place. "A swarm of", however, implies a large group that is moving, often in a somewhat chaotic or overwhelming manner. Think of "a swarm of bees" versus "a crowd of people at a concert".