assembly of dunces

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assembly of dunces" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a group of people who are perceived as foolish or incompetent, often in a humorous or critical context. Example: "The meeting turned into an assembly of dunces, with everyone arguing over trivial matters instead of addressing the real issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"A Confederacy of Dunces," for instance.

The New York Times - Books

Finding the lost manuscript of "A Confederacy of Dunces".

The New Yorker

This is "Bonfire of the Vanities" meets "Confederacy of Dunces".

The New York Times - Sports

"A Confederacy of Dunces," by John Kennedy Toole.

The New York Times

The consumer-waste complex is his confederacy of dunces.

The New Yorker

Mine is A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole.

The Guardian - Books

"A Confederacy of Dunces," by John Kennedy Toole, which was recommended by my boyfriend, James.

The New York Times - Books

And "A Confederacy of Dunces" almost made me wet my pants on an airplane.

The New York Times - Books

"A Confederacy of Dunces" and "The Bell Jar" are in that group.

The New Yorker

The invective energy of "Four Lions" and its Swiftian vision of a confederacy of dunces are never in doubt.

The New Yorker

Sam Shipley, Washington, D.C.: In honor of the Saints winning the Super Bowl, how about John Kennedy Toole's "A Confederacy of Dunces"?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "assembly of dunces" when you want to humorously or critically describe a group of people making foolish decisions or displaying incompetence. Ensure your audience understands the slightly elevated, literary tone of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "assembly of dunces" in formal or serious contexts where a more neutral or professional term would be appropriate. The phrase carries a dismissive connotation that can be perceived as rude or unprofessional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assembly of dunces" functions as a noun phrase. It serves to collectively describe a group characterized by foolishness or incompetence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "assembly of dunces" is a noun phrase used to describe a group of foolish or incompetent individuals, often in a critical or humorous way. While grammatically correct, the phrase is relatively uncommon, and Ludwig confirms it's suitable for use in English. Its register leans toward informal and satirical contexts, making it less appropriate for formal settings. Related phrases include "gathering of fools" and "collection of idiots". Due to the lack of specific examples and source diversity, the expert rating reflects a moderate quality assessment. Use this phrase judiciously, considering the intended tone and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gathering of fools

Replaces "assembly" with "gathering" and "dunces" with "fools", maintaining the core meaning of a group of unintelligent people.

collection of idiots

Substitutes "assembly" with "collection" and "dunces" with "idiots", emphasizing the lack of intelligence within the group.

confederacy of fools

Maintains the term "confederacy" while replacing "dunces" with "fools", still suggesting a union of foolish individuals.

group of imbeciles

A direct replacement of the original phrase, highlighting the low intelligence of the group members.

band of incompetents

Focuses on the lack of skill and ability within the group, rather than just intelligence.

cohort of nitwits

Uses more informal terms to describe the foolish group, suggesting a lack of seriousness.

circle of blockheads

Emphasizes the stubbornness and lack of understanding of the group members.

troupe of simpletons

Highlights the naive and gullible nature of the group members.

parliament of numbskulls

Replaces assembly with parliament, and highlights the lack of intelligence of the group members.

regiment of nincompoops

Replaces assembly with regiment, and emphasizes the foolish actions of the group members.

FAQs

How can I use "assembly of dunces" in a sentence?

You can use "assembly of dunces" to describe a group of people acting foolishly or incompetently, such as, "The meeting turned into an "assembly of dunces", with everyone arguing and no decisions made."

What are some alternatives to "assembly of dunces"?

Alternatives include "gathering of fools", "collection of idiots", or "group of incompetents", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "assembly of dunces" a formal or informal expression?

"Assembly of dunces" leans towards the informal side due to its critical and somewhat humorous tone. Consider your audience and the overall context before using it.

What is the origin of the phrase "assembly of dunces"?

The phrase is often associated with the book "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole, though the concept of a group of fools has existed in literature and common parlance for centuries.