bunch of friends

USAGE SUMMARY

"bunch of friends" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to a group of friends or a close-knit circle of friends. Example: "I'm planning a weekend trip with a bunch of friends to the beach." In this sentence, "bunch of friends" is used to describe a specific social group or gathering. Another example: "She always goes out for dinner and drinks with her usual bunch of friends." Here, the phrase "usual bunch of friends" indicates a consistent group of friends that the person often spends time with.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Great bunch of friends.

The Guardian

She has a bunch of friends.

The New York Times - Magazine

(Or you'll lose a bunch of friends).

Independent

"We were just a bunch of friends hanging out.

The Guardian - Music

I have a whole bunch of friends like that.

The Guardian - Film

For now, they are still just a bunch of friends playing a game they love.

The New York Times - Sports

"You get a bunch of friends together, the kids run around, and everyone has dinner".

The New York Times

To celebrate, she and a bunch of friends visited the gallery for drinks.

Independent

A bunch of friends were waiting in the projection room to screen a film.

The New York Times

"I had a bunch of friends who were artists," he said.

The New Yorker

He doesn't want a bunch of friends, he doesn't want a bunch of people around.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a group of friends, consider the context. Use "bunch of friends" for informal situations and a more specific term like "group of colleagues" in professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "bunch of friends" in formal writing or academic papers. Opt for more professional terms like "network of peers" or "group of collaborators" to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bunch of friends" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates its common usage in describing a group of people with whom one has a friendly relationship. This is reinforced by the many examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bunch of friends" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a group of friends. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage across various contexts, although it is more prevalent in informal settings such as News & Media and Wiki articles. While perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation and casual writing, it's advisable to opt for more formal alternatives in academic or professional contexts, such as "group of friends" or "network of peers". The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its typical use in expressing social connections and belonging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

group of friends

Replaces "bunch" with "group", a more general term for a collection of people.

circle of friends

Emphasizes the close-knit nature and social connection within the group.

group of companions

Uses "companions" instead of "friends", implying a shared activity or journey.

collection of buddies

Employs the casual term "buddies" indicating a friendly relationship.

gathering of pals

Uses the informal term "pals" and "gathering" to describe the group.

crew of mates

Uses "crew" implying a group involved in a shared activity and replaces "friends" with "mates", common in some dialects.

set of acquaintances

Replaces "friends" with "acquaintances", suggesting a less intimate relationship.

team of confidants

Indicates a group where members share secrets or intimate feelings.

party of comrades

Replaces "friends" with "comrades", suggesting shared ideals or goals.

cluster of associates

Uses "associates", implying a formal or professional connection rather than friendship.

FAQs

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

You can use "bunch of friends" to describe a group of people you are close to. For example, "I'm going on vacation with a "bunch of friends"" or "She has a great "bunch of friends" who always support her."

What's a more formal alternative to "bunch of friends"?

In formal contexts, you can use phrases like "group of acquaintances" or "network of peers" depending on the specific relationship you want to convey.

Is "bunch of friends" appropriate in all situations?

While generally acceptable, "bunch of friends" is informal. Avoid it in formal writing or professional presentations. Use more neutral terms like "group of friends" or "circle of friends" in such contexts.

How does "bunch of friends" differ from "group of friends"?

The phrase "group of friends" is a more neutral alternative to "bunch of friends", which is considered informal. "Bunch" suggests a slightly more casual or carefree association than "group."