army of engineers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "army of engineers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large group of engineers working together towards a common goal or project. Example: "The company assembled an army of engineers to tackle the ambitious infrastructure project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

It also employs an army of engineers who are responsible for managing the platform.

The New York Times

Underneath Richard Rogers's familiar tent, an army of engineers and builders has gutted the old structure.

The Guardian

The so-called "orange army" of engineers and labourers has worked night and day since the start of February to fix the track.

The Guardian

The NR chief executive, Mark Carne, said: "Our army of engineers has done an amazing job of putting back together a railway that was ravaged by the elements.

The Guardian

When Amazon faced a similar crisis, its army of engineers had the operation working in less than a day.Brought to bookIt is tempting to conclude that Mr Mattocks is just a victim of Britain's less vibrant venture-capital industry.

The Economist

The Network Rail chief executive, Mark Carne, said: "Our army of engineers has done an amazing job of putting back together a railway that was ravaged by the elements.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

During the Discovery mission, armies of engineers used new software and engineering tools that Mr. Hale said were "three or four generations more sophisticated" than anything the Columbia team had.

The New York Times

Britain used to have armies of engineers; in retirement, they run the steam railways.

The Economist

The software involved was a collection of huge programs maintained by armies of engineers.

The New York Times - Tech

Economies of scale will develop and armies of engineers will tweak them to make them better and cheaper still.

The Economist

To this end, Huawei stations armies of engineers at 28 "joint innovation centres" at customers' sites around the world.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when using "army of engineers". While impactful, it can sometimes sound hyperbolic. Ensure it aligns with the tone and formality of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "army of engineers" in casual or informal settings where a simpler phrase like "team of engineers" would be more appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly dramatic or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "army of engineers" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object, describing a collective entity of engineers, as seen in Ludwig's examples from sources like The Guardian and TechCrunch.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Tech

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "army of engineers" is a grammatically sound and relatively common noun phrase used to describe a large and organized group of engineers working collaboratively. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, including news, tech, and business, although it is most frequently found in news and media sources. While generally neutral in tone, writers should be mindful of the potential for hyperbole and consider alternative phrases like "team of engineers" or "group of engineers" in more formal settings. The phrase is effective for emphasizing scale and effort, but appropriateness should be considered based on the writing's overall tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

team of engineers

Replaces "army" with "team", suggesting a more collaborative and less hierarchical structure.

engineering team

Less intense and more common substitution.

group of engineers

A more generic term, replacing "army" with "group", indicating a collection of engineers.

squad of engineers

Uses "squad" instead of "army", implying a smaller, more specialized team.

task force of engineers

Suggests a team assembled for a specific purpose or project.

contingent of engineers

Implies a group sent or dispatched for a particular task.

corps of engineers

A more formal term, often used in military or government contexts.

engineering task group

Refers to a more specific task-oriented group.

engineering taskforce

A less descriptive and more concise term.

engineering division

Refers to a segment or department within an organization specializing in engineering.

FAQs

What does "army of engineers" mean?

The phrase "army of engineers" refers to a large, well-organized group of engineers working together on a project or towards a common goal. The term "army" emphasizes the size and coordinated effort of the group.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "army of engineers"?

It is appropriate to use the phrase when you want to emphasize the large scale and intensive effort involved in a project undertaken by a group of engineers. It's often used to highlight the resources and manpower dedicated to solving a complex problem.

What are some alternatives to "army of engineers"?

Some alternatives include "team of engineers", "group of engineers", or "squad of engineers". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired tone.

Is "army of engineers" a formal or informal phrase?

The phrase can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it leans towards being slightly informal due to the use of "army" as a metaphor. In highly formal settings, "team of engineers" or "group of engineers" might be preferred.