flock together

USAGE SUMMARY

'flock together' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used when referring to a group of people or animals coming together. For example: "The birds all flocked together in the sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yes, birds of a feather flock together.

The Washington Post

Write the phrase "birds of a feather flock together" on the board.

The New York Times

Canary Yellow diamonds, blackbird pie whistles and a curiously cranelike lamp flock together.

The New York Times

It's hardly new that birds of a political feather flock together.

The Washington Post

That is, how do they recognize one another so they can flock together?

The New York Times - Science

"We know it's not a 'birds of a feather flock together' effect," Christakis said.

The Washington Post

Instead, they choose from compatible friends, supporting sociologists' theory of homophily: birds of a feather flock together.

The New York Times

Imagine maps of landscapes with no border, and birds with nothing but the urge to flock together".

The Guardian

But it seems in the modern knowledge economy businesses and entrepreneurial types want to flock together more than ever.

The Guardian

As they say, birds of a feather flock together and when you have like-minded people, it would be easier to form bonds and a support system.

Stanford University

Lorenz says that a certain schooling fish, like the herring, which have no natural means of defense, flock together when they are in danger, instead of scattering.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flock together" when you want to evoke the image of a group coming together naturally and perhaps even instinctively, like birds of a feather. It's particularly apt when describing groups with shared interests or characteristics.

Common error

While "flock together" is widely understood, it can sound informal or even whimsical in certain professional or academic settings. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "gather" or "assemble" for a more serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flock together" functions primarily as an intransitive verb phrase, describing the action of a group coming together. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is well-formed and suitable for use in written English. The examples show it depicting both literal gatherings (birds) and figurative ones (people with shared interests).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

26%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flock together" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of grouping, particularly among similar entities. As Ludwig AI points out, it is versatile, appearing in various contexts, especially in news and media. While generally neutral, it leans towards informality and should be used judiciously in highly formal settings. Consider alternatives like "gather" or "assemble" for a more professional tone. Remember that the phrase often carries the implication of shared characteristics or interests driving the act of congregating.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gather together

Replaces "flock" with a more general term for assembling, suitable for diverse contexts.

group together

Similar to "gather together", but emphasizes the formation of a group.

congregate

A more formal term for gathering, often used in official or academic contexts.

assemble

Implies a more organized or purposeful gathering.

converge

Suggests movement from different directions towards a single point.

muster

Often used in military contexts, but can apply to any gathering for a specific purpose.

swarm

Implies a large, often disorganized gathering, typically of insects or people.

throng

Similar to "swarm", but often used for a crowd moving in a particular direction.

collect

Emphasizes the action of bringing things or people together.

cluster

Suggests a close grouping or bunching together.

FAQs

How can I use "flock together" in a sentence?

You can use "flock together" to describe how similar people tend to gather. For example: "Like-minded individuals tend to "flock together" at conferences."

What does the idiom 'birds of a feather flock together' mean?

The idiom 'birds of a feather "flock together"' means that people who are similar tend to associate with one another.

What are some synonyms for "flock together"?

Alternatives include "gather together", "group together", or "congregate", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "flock together" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "flock together" may be perceived as informal in some formal contexts. Consider using more neutral alternatives such as "assemble" or "converge" for a more professional tone.