a trio of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a trio of" is correct and usable in written English.
You would use it when referring to a group of three persons or things. For example: "The three boys formed a trio of troublemakers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A trio of traits.

The New York Times - Science

The State had a trio of lawyers.

The New Yorker

A trio of jihadists is seen plotting.

Independent

A trio of Englishmen were discussing cats.

The New Yorker

A trio of drummers showed up.

The New Yorker

What a trio of words.

The Guardian

Still, a trio of one composer's symphonies!

The New York Times - Arts

A trio of new American operas.

The New Yorker

It is a trio of wonderful performances.

The Guardian - Film

A trio of crème brûlées escaped cliché.

The New York Times

A trio of singles off this over.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a trio of" to add a touch of elegance or sophistication when referring to three items or people, especially in creative or descriptive writing. However, prefer "a group of three" in formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a trio of" excessively in formal or technical writing where a more straightforward phrase like "three" or "a group of three" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a trio of" functions as a determiner followed by a noun. It modifies the following noun, indicating that there are three of that noun. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a trio of" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe a group of three items or individuals. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. While it appears most frequently in news and media, its usage spans various contexts. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "a group of three" or simply "three" to maintain a professional tone. Be careful not to overuse it in formal writing and make it sound repetitive. Top authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian commonly employ this phrase, affirming its widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a set of three

This alternative is a more direct and less figurative way of saying "a trio of".

a group of three

This alternative is very similar, replacing the more evocative "trio" with the more neutral "group".

three of

This alternative is a shortened version, suitable for less formal contexts.

a triad of

This alternative uses a synonym for "trio" that is slightly more formal and less common.

a threesome of

This alternative has a slightly different connotation, sometimes implying a closer or more intimate relationship between the three.

a triple of

This alternative is less common and might be used in specific contexts where "triple" is more appropriate.

a cluster of three

This alternative emphasizes the proximity or arrangement of the three items.

three united

Focuses on the unity, or single nature of the three entities.

three combined

Highlights the act of joining or merging three elements.

an assembly of three

Refers to gathering or meeting that constitutes three members.

FAQs

How do I use "a trio of" in a sentence?

You can use "a trio of" to describe any group of three things or people. For example, "a trio of musicians played at the event" or "a trio of experts analyzed the data".

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

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

Is "a trio of" formal or informal?

"A trio of" is generally considered to be a slightly more elevated or descriptive phrase than simply saying "three". It is suitable for most writing contexts but might be replaced by simpler phrasing in very formal or technical documents.

What is the difference between "a trio of" and "a triad of"?

While both "a trio of" and "a triad of" refer to a group of three, "a trio of" is more commonly used and widely understood. "A triad of" might be seen as more formal or technical.