ad hoc bands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ad hoc bands" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to groups or teams that are formed for a specific purpose or task, often temporarily. Example: "The project required collaboration from various departments, so we formed several ad hoc bands to tackle different aspects of the work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Unbidden, ad hoc bands of home defenders mustered around Britain.

Independent

His great passion was jazz, and at one time he played the trombone with various ad hoc bands of journalists.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Behind him, an ad hoc band copied his recordings exactly; there was a drummer, but a rhythm machine anchored the grooves.

The New York Times - Arts

Originally published in Eight By Eight magazine Match time nears, the August night bears all the trappings of one of those big fixtures: The streets around the stadium swarmed by fans in colors and kit, burly cops, pleading scalpers, an ad hoc band wheezing a club song.

The Guardian - Sport

The historian Plutarch notes: "he would buy houses that were afire, and houses which adjoined those that were afire, and these their owners would let go at a trifling price owing to their fear and uncertainty". 22 BCE: Augustus forms an ad hoc band of 600 slaves to address fires within the city.

Forbes

I'm 132". When the ad hoc band finished the tune, the crowd cheered for another number.

Los Angeles Times

This ad-hoc band should go off without a hitch.

The New York Times

Then Mr. McLean and Mr. Hill will perform in a startling ad-hoc band with the vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson and the drummer Billy Higgins.

The New York Times

At several points during Friday's show at Symphony Space by an ad-hoc band called the Jazz Gallery All-Stars, an ancient ritual took place.

The New York Times - Arts

Energized by the Women's March on Washington, he sent an e-mail to musical friends, calling for an ad-hoc band to show up at marches, rallies, and protests to provide people with "LIVE, morale-boosting music".

The New Yorker

First, I will present how we can constrain the physical conditions of the GRB emitting region by using indirect information from the copious neutrino emission that is naturally produced via photohadronic interactions on an ad-hoc Band photon spectrum.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ad hoc bands" when you want to emphasize that a group was formed for a specific, often short-term, purpose and wasn't pre-planned or formally established.

Common error

Avoid using "ad hoc bands" to describe completely random or disorganized groups. The term implies a specific purpose, even if the group's formation was spontaneous. A better alternative for a completely random gathering would be "motley crew".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ad hoc bands" functions as a noun phrase, where "ad hoc" modifies the noun "bands". It describes groups formed for a specific and immediate purpose, often temporarily. Ludwig AI examples show it used in contexts ranging from home defense to musical ensembles.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ad hoc bands" refers to groups that are formed temporarily for a specific purpose, and its usage, while grammatically correct, is relatively rare. The term "ad hoc" signifies that these groups are not pre-planned or permanent, but rather assembled to address an immediate need, as Ludwig AI confirms. The phrase appears in neutral contexts, across domains such as news and media and academia. It's crucial to use this term accurately, implying a defined purpose rather than simply randomness. Alternative phrases like "temporary ensembles" or "makeshift groups" can be employed to add or change nuance. Usage tips suggest using "ad hoc bands" when emphasizing the specific and short-term nature of the group's formation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

temporary ensembles

Replaces "bands" with a synonym and emphasizes the temporary nature.

makeshift groups

Highlights the improvised or unplanned aspect of the groups.

spontaneous gatherings

Focuses on the unplanned and sudden formation of the groups.

on-the-spot teams

Emphasizes the immediate and reactive creation of the teams.

impromptu units

Similar to makeshift, highlighting the unplanned nature.

provisional groups

Emphasizes the temporary and conditional nature of the groups.

extempore groups

A more formal synonym for impromptu.

opportunistic coalitions

Highlights the creation of groups based on immediate opportunity.

unrehearsed troupes

Emphasizes lack of preparation within the band.

unofficial squads

Brings into focus that these are informally composed.

FAQs

How can I use "ad hoc bands" in a sentence?

You can use "ad hoc bands" to describe temporary groups formed for a specific, immediate purpose. For example, "Unbidden, "ad hoc bands" of home defenders mustered around Britain."

What does "ad hoc" mean in the context of "ad hoc bands"?

In this context, "ad hoc" means formed or arranged for a particular purpose or need, especially temporarily. It implies that the band was created spontaneously rather than being a permanent entity.

Are there alternatives to using the phrase "ad hoc bands"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "temporary ensembles", "makeshift groups", or "spontaneous gatherings" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "ad hoc groups" interchangeable with "ad hoc bands"?

"Ad hoc groups" is a more general term. While "ad hoc bands" specifically refers to musical or defense groups, "ad hoc groups" can refer to any type of group formed for a specific purpose. The choice depends on the specific context.