crew of men

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crew of men" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a group of male individuals working together, typically in a specific context such as maritime or aviation. Example: "The ship was manned by a dedicated crew of men who worked tirelessly to ensure a safe voyage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"In the independent world, there's just a crew of men and women working together.

The Guardian - Film

"Dear Madam," wrote the College, "we are sending a crew of men to shear your sheep".

The New Yorker

At breakfast, we watched as a crew of men, several naked, rode in on a small skiff.

The New York Times - Travel

At one site, a crew of men had put up a row of town-house condominiums, and the exteriors were already hung with new ColorPlus siding.

The New Yorker

Thirteen years ago, a crew of men, covered head to toe in white spaceman-like suits, covered it with an impermeable sheath.

The New York Times

He had a crew of men sifting through the damage and removing all that was salvageable: some doors, tables, a portable fan, a large gold kettle.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Digging is also costly, sometimes involving earthmoving equipment and crews of men with shovels.

The New Yorker

All year, the village looks forward to spring whaling, when crews of men thread through leads in the sea ice, quietly paddling in seal-skin boats, looking for smooth black shapes rising out of the water.

The Guardian - Travel

Armed with only axes, shovels, and handsaws, crews of men had to create a trench four feet deep and forty feet wide through hundreds of miles of thick forest.

Forbes

The largest of their cannons was the Great Turkish Bombard, which required an operating crew of 200 men and 70 oxen, and 10,000 men to transport it.

Wikipedia

Erich Gröner reports that out of a crew of 500 men, 269 died in the accident, while Lawrence Sondhaus states that 276 men were killed.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "crew of men", ensure the context clearly indicates their shared activity or purpose. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "crew of men" when a simpler term like "group of men" or "team of men" would suffice. Overusing "crew" can sound overly dramatic or affected in everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crew of men" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It denotes a group of male individuals engaged in a common activity or associated by a shared characteristic. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is indeed usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "crew of men" functions as a noun phrase used to describe a group of males working together, typically in a specific context. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in a variety of sources. Its frequency is considered common, appearing most often in news and media sources. While it's a generally neutral phrase, consider context when you use it. For example, is there a better way of expressing the phrase using alternatives like "team of men" or "group of men". You can also consider the tone of your piece as using a term like "crew" might be seen as overly dramatic. Overall, "crew of men" is a reliable, if not particularly creative, way to describe a group of males.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

team of men

Replaces "crew" with "team", emphasizing collaboration and shared goals.

group of men

A more general term, suitable for any collection of men, regardless of their activity.

workforce of men

Focuses on the labor aspect, highlighting the men as a working unit.

party of men

Indicates a group of men assembled for a specific purpose or occasion.

detail of men

Suggests a group of men assigned to a specific task or duty.

company of men

Implies a formal or organized group, often in a military or business context.

unit of men

Emphasizes the group's function as a cohesive and coordinated body.

squad of men

Suggests a small, closely knit group, often with a military connotation.

gang of men

Implies a group with potentially negative or illicit activities.

band of brothers

Highlights a strong sense of camaraderie and loyalty among the men.

FAQs

How can I use "crew of men" in a sentence?

You can use "crew of men" to describe a group of males working together, such as "The construction site employed a hard-working crew of men". It emphasizes their collective effort in a specific task.

What's the difference between "crew of men" and "group of men"?

While both refer to a collection of males, "crew of men" often implies a shared profession or task, while "group of men" is more general and doesn't necessarily suggest a common activity.

What can I say instead of "crew of men"?

Alternatives include "team of men", which emphasizes collaboration, or "workforce of men", which highlights their labor. The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "crew of men" in a formal setting?

Yes, "crew of men" is acceptable in formal contexts, especially when describing a group of workers or professionals with a shared task. However, consider whether a more neutral term like "group of men" would be more appropriate depending on the tone.