a threesome of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a threesome of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a group of three people or things, often in a context related to relationships or activities involving three participants. Example: "The party was lively, with a threesome of musicians playing different instruments together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

A threesome of perfection.

The New York Times

Oh, and a threesome of Russian strippers.

The New York Times - Books

Maybe with a threesome of Woods, Adam Scott and, well, why not Rory McIlroy?

The New York Times - Sports

A threesome of hard-boiled halves, plucked of their yolks, are piped high with tuna cream.

The New York Times - Food

He and a 51-year-old caddie named Ronnie Blenman were assigned a threesome of women golfers.

The New York Times

A threesome of players, including David Duval, were tied for fourth at three under through 36 holes.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Among the very best was the mousse de foie gras — a slice of velvety foie gras mousse, paired with brioche toast and a dab of fig marmalade, a superb threesome of textures and tastes.

The New York Times

Mr. Carter has one entry in the sweepstakes, "The Lone Gunmen," a spinoff of "The X-Files" featuring a strange threesome of computer hackers: Langley, Byers and Frohike.

The New York Times

There was false hope a week ago Sunday, when a tripleheader's overnight ratings rose 7percentt from a comparable threesome of games last year.

The New York Times - Sports

Inactivation of a concentrated threesome of microorganisms (E. coli, S. cerevisiae, L. innocua) in a dietary supplement was investigated using compressed CO2 in batch stirred reactor.

The Journal of Supercritical Fluids

Leslie, a member of the United States Olympic team, said she was flustered in the first half by the Liberty's tight defense and a physical threesome of Tari Phillips, who finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists; Whitmore and Sue Wicks.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a threesome of" when referring to a group of three, especially when emphasizing variety or a mix of elements. For example, "a threesome of appetizers" suggests a selection of three different appetizers.

Common error

Avoid using "a threesome of" in formal or professional settings where the term might carry unintended connotations. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "a group of three" or "a set of three" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a threesome of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically quantifying a group. It modifies a noun to indicate that there are three items or individuals, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a threesome of" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a group of three items or individuals. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is most frequently encountered in News & Media sources. While generally neutral, it's important to consider the context and potential for unintended connotations, opting for alternatives like "a trio of" or "a group of three" in more formal settings or when aiming for absolute clarity. When used carefully, "a threesome of" effectively conveys the concept of a collection of three, with a subtle hint of variety or a specific combination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a trio of

Focuses on the musical or harmonious aspect of a group of three.

a set of three

Emphasizes the collection or arrangement of three items.

a group of three

A more general term for any collection of three.

a triple of

Highlights the threefold nature or multiplication aspect.

a trinity of

Suggests a sacred or unified group of three.

a triumvirate of

Refers to a group of three people sharing power or authority.

a cluster of three

Emphasizes the close proximity or aggregation of three items.

a triad of

Highlights the interconnectedness of three elements.

three of a kind

Indicates a group of three items that are identical or similar.

a triple threat

Describes someone or something with three notable talents or qualities.

FAQs

What does "a threesome of" mean?

The phrase "a threesome of" refers to a group or set of three items or individuals, often implying a specific or notable combination.

What can I say instead of "a threesome of"?

You can use alternatives like "a trio of", "a group of three", or "a set of three" depending on the context.

Is "a threesome of" appropriate in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a threesome of" might be perceived as informal or carrying unintended connotations in certain formal contexts. Consider using "a group of three" or "a set of three" for a more neutral tone.

How to use "a threesome of" in a sentence?

You can use "a threesome of" to describe a collection of three items, such as "The menu featured a threesome of desserts" or "The team consisted of a threesome of experts".