a troop of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a troop of" is a grammatically correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
It can be used to refer to a group of soldiers, performers, or animals. Example: "We watched as a troop of dancers twirled across the stage, their movements synchronized perfectly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The film opens with footage of a now-famous incident, as Howe accompanies a troop of British soldiers in Afghanistan.

Vice

A troop of men".

The Guardian

It was a troop of unadulterated basketball brilliance.

The Guardian - Sport

But she still employs a troop of bodyguards.

The New York Times

c) Flying monkeys abducting a troop of Girl Scouts.

The New York Times

A troop of monkeys might wander by, or an anteater snuffling for food.

The New Yorker

A troop of Boy Scouts arrived, also planning to use the lean-to for lunch.

The New Yorker

First, a troop of 12 girls will perform a Palestinian folkloric dance called dapka.

The New York Times

In the square, a troop of veiled women circled, chanting for the resignation of Mr. Mubarak.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Fear not a troop of volunteers watches the recount armed with six-page checklists.

The Economist

The main Animal Lifestyles exhibit consists of a troop of hamadryas baboons.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a troop of" to specifically refer to a gathering or assembly, commonly but not exclusively soldiers or primates, lending a sense of organized grouping to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a troop of" when referring to singular entities or uncountable nouns; it's designed for countable groups of people, animals, or things. For example, using "a troop of water" would be incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a troop of" functions as a collective noun, specifically used to denote a group of individuals or entities acting together, often implying some form of organization or common purpose. Ludwig provides various examples, from troops of soldiers to troops of monkeys, illustrating this.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

20%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a troop of" is a common and grammatically correct collective noun used to describe a group, particularly of soldiers, scouts, or animals, acting together. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, with secondary usage in wiki and science-related content. While versatile, it's important to use it appropriately, avoiding misuse with singular entities or uncountable nouns. Alternatives like "a group of" or "a company of" may be more suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a group of

More generic; applies to a wider range of entities, not limited to soldiers or animals.

a squad of

Suggests a small, organized group, often in a military or sports context.

a company of

Suggests a formal, often business-related, gathering or organization.

a unit of

Indicates a structured component within a larger organization or system.

a band of

Implies a close-knit or rebellious group, often with a shared purpose.

an assembly of

Suggests a formal gathering of people for a specific purpose.

a party of

Refers to a group of people gathered for a specific social event or purpose.

a team of

Specifically denotes a group working together towards a common goal, often in sports or business.

a cluster of

Indicates a close grouping of similar items or entities.

a swarm of

Used for a large, often disorganized group, typically of insects or small animals.

FAQs

How is "a troop of" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "a troop of" is used as a collective noun to describe a group of individuals, often soldiers, scouts, or animals, acting together. For example, "a troop of soldiers marched in formation".

What words or phrases can I use instead of "a troop of"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a group of", "a company of", or "a squad of" to describe a gathering of individuals or entities.

Is it correct to use "a troop of" for non-living objects?

While less common, "a troop of" can sometimes be used metaphorically for non-living objects if they are perceived as acting together or being organized in a similar way to a group of people or animals. However, this usage is less literal and more stylistic.

What is the difference between "a troop of" and "a troupe of"?

"A troop of" generally refers to a group of soldiers, scouts, or animals, while "a troupe of" specifically refers to a group of performers, such as dancers or actors. They are not interchangeable.