bunch of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “bunch of” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a group of people or things. For example, you could say: “There was a bunch of people at the store today.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A bunch of ventriloquists?

The New York Times

"A bunch of racists".

The Economist

#bbcdp "Bunch of migrants".

Independent

"Bunch of niggers, mostly".

The New Yorker

A bunch of them.

The New York Times

We're a bunch of mavericks".

The Guardian

What a bunch of pikers!

The New York Times

A Bunch of Hydrants Q.

The New York Times

"That's a bunch of" nonsense.

The New York Times - Arts

A whole bunch of things.

The New York Times

They're a bunch of psychopaths.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. While "bunch of" is generally acceptable, it might not be suitable for highly formal or academic writing where precision is key. Use more formal alternatives in those situations.

Common error

Avoid using "bunch of" excessively in formal documents. Over-reliance on informal phrases can undermine the seriousness and professionalism of your writing. Replace with more precise terms like "group of" or "number of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bunch of" functions as a determiner that modifies a noun, indicating an indefinite quantity. Ludwig's examples show it commonly precedes plural nouns to express 'many' or 'several'. It helps to quantify items in a less formal manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

21%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bunch of" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe a quantity or group. While versatile, it leans towards informal contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions primarily as a determiner, quantifying nouns in a less formal manner. While acceptable in various settings, remember to consider your audience and purpose, choosing more formal alternatives like "group of" or "number of" in professional or academic writing. Ludwig provides many examples across different domains, but be mindful of overuse in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

group of

Uses a more formal noun to indicate a collection.

number of

Indicates a quantifiable amount of something.

collection of

Suggests a curated or gathered assortment.

selection of

Implies a choice or variety within the group.

set of

Indicates a defined or related group.

mass of

Describes a large, often undefined quantity.

pile of

Suggests an untidy or disorganized accumulation.

batch of

Implies a group created or processed together.

load of

Indicates a substantial quantity, often informal.

clump of

Describes a tightly packed grouping.

FAQs

How can I use "bunch of" in a sentence?

You can use "bunch of" to describe a group of things or people. For example, "I have a bunch of books to read" or "They are a bunch of friends meeting for coffee."

What's the difference between "bunch of" and "group of"?

"Bunch of" is more informal than "group of". While both refer to a collection, "bunch of" is better suited for casual conversation, whereas "group of" is appropriate for formal writing.

What are some synonyms for "bunch of"?

Alternatives include "number of", "collection of", "selection of", or "set of". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is it correct to say "a bunch of" or just "bunch of"?

It's generally more common and grammatically sound to say "a bunch of". Omitting the article "a" can sound awkward in many contexts.