circle of people

USAGE SUMMARY

"circle of people" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to refer to a group of people in a more general or metaphorical sense. For example: "The mayor was at the center of the circle of people who had gathered to support her cause."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The circle of people, roughly 150 strong, stared back.

The New York Times

"It brought in a whole new circle of people".

The New York Times

The Patriots kept the circle of people who knew small.

The New York Times - Sports

He then gets feedback from a large circle of people.

The New York Times

When I asked Fox how he had learned of Cilins, his response was enigmatic: "We knew a circle of people who knew a circle of people".

The New Yorker

"THE inner circle of people who committed the terrorist acts are either behind bars or dead".

The Economist

Before, only a small circle of people could be relied upon to cover combat using film.

The New York Times

Others let only a small circle of people see where they are.

The New York Times - Tech

"I don't have to surround myself with a circle of people just like me.

The New York Times

"Think of a small circle of people who know each other".

The New York Times

He admits some members are political, but that the "circle of people is very big".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "circle of people", consider the context to determine if a more specific term like "community", "group", or "network" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on the phrase "circle of people". Vary your language by using synonyms like "group", "community", or "network" to keep your writing engaging and precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "circle of people" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. As Ludwig shows, this phrase is commonly used to refer to a specific group or community of individuals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "circle of people" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a group of individuals connected by various factors. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. Primarily found in News & Media, it functions as a noun phrase to identify and describe such groups. While versatile, consider using synonyms like "group of individuals" or "community of members" for enhanced precision. Pay attention to context and avoid over-reliance on this single phrase. Ludwig's numerous examples showcase its widespread application across diverse narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

group of individuals

Replaces "people" with the more formal "individuals".

assembly of individuals

Similar to group of individuals, but with a sense of purpose, changing circle to "assembly".

community of members

Substitutes "circle" with "community" to emphasize shared interests or location, and "people" with "members" for a sense of belonging.

network of acquaintances

Highlights connections and relationships within the group, changing "circle" to "network".

inner core of associates

Emphasizes a close, central group of people by using "inner core" instead of "circle" and "associates" instead of "people".

set of colleagues

Focuses on a group of people working together, substituting "circle" with "set" and "people" with "colleagues".

body of supporters

Implies a group that actively supports a cause or person, changing "circle" to "body" and "people" to "supporters".

cohort of participants

Suggests a group involved in a specific event or activity, using "cohort" instead of "circle" and "participants" instead of "people".

gathering of attendees

Describes a group assembled for a particular purpose, such as a meeting or conference.

ring of confidants

Highlights a group of trusted individuals, replacing "circle" with "ring" and "people" with "confidants".

FAQs

How can I use "circle of people" in a sentence?

You can use "circle of people" to describe a group connected by shared interests, relationships, or circumstances. For example, "The scandal affected a wide "circle of people" connected to the company."

What can I say instead of "circle of people"?

You can use alternatives like "group of individuals", "community of members", or "network of acquaintances" depending on the context.

Is "circle of people" formal or informal?

"Circle of people" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "group of individuals" may be preferred in certain situations.

What's the difference between "circle of people" and "group of people"?

While similar, "circle of people" often implies a closer, more interconnected group than "group of people", which can refer to any collection of individuals.