army of ants

USAGE SUMMARY

"army of ants" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase can be used to describe a large group of ants appearing together and working in unison, like an army. For example, "The garden was overrun with an army of ants, marching their way across the lawn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Literature

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

It's a cliche of a comparison, but they have swollen to an army of ants.

The Guardian - Travel

Tens of thousands of refugees are now streaming along the western coast towards Banda Aceh like an army of ants.

The Economist

There she worked on award-winning Budweiser ads, including the one in which an army of ants lug a bottle of Bud down an ant hole.

The New York Times

In "McDuff Saves the Day," the dog searches for food after an army of ants devours the picnic planned for Fred, Lucy and the baby.

The New York Times

I'm not a zombie connoisseur, but to me, all of you nincompoops, however brilliantly executed, have the emotional pull of an army of ants, minus the ants' dignified social structures and attractive formic-acid exoskeletons.

The New Yorker

Tsotsi reluctantly and very gradually starts to care for the child and there's nothing funny about his progress - especially when the condensed milk he feeds the boy attracts an army of ants.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

True, like deadly, relentless armies of ants they've eaten up small independent stores.

The New York Times - Books

Swarms of bees and armies of ants (they might have marched out of a David Wojnarowicz film) attend phantasmagoric assembly lines.

The New Yorker

In that spirit, Tuesday was a day of raucous energy as thousands of volunteer porters in purple shirts carried the giant emblems of the ceremony like armies of ants bearing impossibly large objects.

The New York Times

Undermined by bureaucrats, made ill by eating rancid elephant meat and attacked by armies of ants, Shaffer declined O'Hanlon's invitation to accompany him on the journey's final leg.

The Guardian

Yet in recent years the hectic nature of Saturdays -- accompanied by the traffic on Friday night and Saturday morning and afternoon crawling along like armies of ants waiting their turn at a melting Popsicle -- prompted some rental agencies on Long Beach Island to offer some alternatives.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "army of ants" to vividly describe a large group of ants working together with a common purpose. This phrase is especially effective in creative writing or descriptive contexts where you want to emphasize their collective behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "army of ants" in highly formal or technical writing where a more precise and less figurative description would be more appropriate. For instance, in a scientific paper, describe the specific behavior and number of ants observed rather than relying on this metaphorical phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "army of ants" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as a subject or object in a sentence. It serves to describe a large group of ants, typically emphasizing their coordinated or collective behavior. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Film

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "army of ants" is a grammatically sound and vivid expression used to describe a large, organized group of ants. As verified by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It functions as a noun phrase, frequently employed to convey the imagery of a collective, purposeful movement, often likened to a military force. While suitable for diverse contexts, including news reporting, creative writing, and film, it should be used sparingly in highly formal or scientific settings. The most frequent contexts of use are in News & Media, Film and Science. Alternatives such as "swarm of ants" or "procession of ants" may be more appropriate depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

swarm of ants

Focuses on the chaotic movement and large quantity, similar to an unorganized "army of ants".

ant colony

Emphasizes the social structure and collective behavior of ants, similar to an organized "army of ants".

throng of ants

Highlights the density and mass of ants moving together like an "army of ants".

multitude of ants

Emphasizes a very large number of ants, similar to the size implied by "army of ants".

horde of ants

Implies a destructive or overwhelming number of ants, similar to a relentless "army of ants".

procession of ants

Focuses on the orderly marching behavior of ants, similar to a disciplined "army of ants".

platoon of ants

Mimics military terminology, emphasizing the organized movement of an "army of ants".

regiment of ants

Strongly emphasizes the organized and militaristic aspect of the ants, akin to an "army of ants".

battalion of ants

Stresses the collective strength and coordinated action of the ants, similar to a powerful "army of ants".

troop of ants

Highlights the collective effort and organized nature of the ants, like a well-ordered "army of ants".

FAQs

How can I use "army of ants" in a sentence?

You can use "army of ants" to describe a large group of ants working together. For example, "The picnic was ruined by an army of ants that swarmed the unattended sandwiches."

What can I say instead of "army of ants"?

You can use alternatives like "swarm of ants", "ant colony", or "procession of ants" depending on the context.

Is "army of ants" a literal or figurative expression?

"Army of ants" is generally used figuratively to emphasize the large number and coordinated movement of ants. It likens their behavior to that of a military force.

What is the difference between "army of ants" and "swarm of ants"?

While both describe a large group of ants, "army of ants" implies more organization and purpose, whereas "swarm of ants" suggests a more chaotic and less structured gathering.