gals

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "gals" is correct and usable in written English, though it is informal.
You can use it when referring to a group of women or girls in a casual or friendly context. Example: "The gals and I are planning a weekend getaway to the beach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sally, who leads the gals out on strike on the big screen in Made in Dagenham this weekend, will be seen at the upcoming London film festival in Richard Ayoade's directorial debut Submarine.

The Guardian - Film

Purity solves everything: remember, Santorum's millionaire supporter Foster Friess recommended women use aspirin to keep from getting pregnant: "The gals put it between their knees".

The Guardian - Opinion

"When I returned to the bosom of the family you all became Togs, Terry's Old Geezers and Gals.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

These hookers — the series began with 10 — are the kind who fish, but this show hasn't been merely drab shots of guys and gals casting at a riverside.

The New York Times - Arts

The gals put it between their knees and it wasn't that costly.

The New York Times

These days he impresses more than just the Kirkcaldy gals.

Independent

These guys had no sensitive side when it came to their gals.

Independent

Revealingly, the growing backlash appears strongest among women, the historical prime targets of a cleanliness message that pressed antibacterials on nervous new mums, "intimate" sprays on paranoid single gals and a raft of cleansing and purifying beauty products on everyone.

Independent

Specifically, she says Tash "laughed her head off" when mum began talking about how "some of these gals in their early twenties are sitting there singing the sentiments and pushing the fantasies of men living in Beverly Hills in their sixties, whose wives have had so much surgery... It's another generation of the decadence that's been going on for years and years".

Independent

Even the chaps at Harrow and the gals at Rodean, not to mention their equivalents in the US, have limits to their budgets: Apple became the aspirational fashion brand.

Independent

At present, the other two volunteer nurses, Rosalie Berwick and Flora Marshall, are almost interchangeable as nice, out-of-their-depth posh English gals whom the sister hates on sight as she wanted proper nurses not ageing, bored singletons who are fleeing their families in a  bygone-times "gap year" arrangement.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gals" in informal settings or when aiming for a casual, friendly tone. Be mindful of your audience and the context to ensure it's appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "gals" in formal documents, presentations, or professional communications. Opt for "ladies" or "women" for a more suitable tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "gals" is as a plural noun, referring to a group of women or girls. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in various contexts, affirming its role as a direct object or subject within sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gals" is an informal term for referring to a group of women or girls, commonly used in casual contexts. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples from news and media sources, indicating its prevalence in everyday language. While appropriate in informal settings, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "ladies" or "women" in professional or academic contexts. When writing, it's crucial to be mindful of the intended tone and audience to ensure the term aligns with the overall communication style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

girls

A more common and neutral term for female individuals.

ladies

A more formal and polite term for women.

the women

A simple variation to address a number of women.

women

A general and neutral term for adult females.

young women

Specifies that women are young.

female friends

Refers to women who are friends.

chicks

A slang term, often considered less respectful.

lasses

A dated term, primarily used in British English.

dames

A vintage slang term, often used in detective fiction.

female individuals

A formal and clinical term for women.

FAQs

How to use "gals" in a sentence?

"Gals" is an informal term for girls or women and can be used in casual conversation or writing. For example: "The gals and I are planning a trip".

What can I say instead of "gals"?

You can use alternatives like "girls", "ladies", or "women" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "gals" in professional communication?

No, "gals" is generally not appropriate for professional communication. Use more formal terms like "ladies" or "women" instead.

What's the difference between "gals" and "ladies"?

"Gals" is an informal term, while "ladies" is more polite and formal. Use "gals" in casual settings and "ladies" in more formal contexts.