group of eccentrics

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "group of eccentrics" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a collection of individuals who exhibit unconventional or quirky behaviors or characteristics. Example: "The art community in the small town was known for its vibrant group of eccentrics who often held unconventional exhibitions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Made for British television, it brought to the screen the 1932 novel by Stella Gibbons about a group of eccentrics on a foreboding farm whose lives are dramatically reordered when a young recently orphaned relative (Kate Beckinsale) comes to visit.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Fashion people, a self-selecting group of eccentrics and misfits, are pretty much the only ones who are willing to embrace Ms. Love exactly as she is — as a star.

The New York Times

WHEN Kevin Zraly, the instructor at the Windows on the World Wine School, started his program 24 years ago, he was among a small group of eccentrics teaching wine in a city content with martinis and beer.

The New York Times - Food

Dan: I really wanted a group of eccentrics.

Huffington Post

It's the story of a naive teenage boy, ruined by a group of eccentrics, each wanting to keep his company for their own ends.

Vice

His uncomfortably ambivalent status and demeanor gets him transferred to a California fort in the western Sierra Nevada, in the command of the witty Col. Hart Jeffrey Joness), who presides over a group of eccentrics straight out of a James Whale movie.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"Steel Magnolias," centered on a group of eccentric Southern women, helped make Julia Roberts a star.

The New York Times - Arts

Here, then, is a group of eccentric, quirky, overlooked, or underappreciated composers for your consideration.

Britannica

It is the story of a fascinating group of eccentric characters that live in a Paris tenement.

The Guardian - Books

In "White Chappell, Scarlet Tracings" (1987), he investigated the Whitechapel Ripper murders through the eyes of a group of eccentric book dealers.

The New York Times - Books

A group of eccentric conspiracy theorists stumbles across an actual plot reaching to the highest levels of government.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance the impact of the phrase, consider placing it strategically within a sentence to emphasize either the unity of the group or the contrast between them and a more conventional setting.

Common error

Avoid labeling any collection of slightly unusual individuals as a "group of eccentrics". Ensure that their behaviors are genuinely unconventional and not just mildly quirky, otherwise you risk diluting the meaning of the term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "group of eccentrics" functions as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object in a sentence. It identifies a specific set of individuals characterized by their unconventional behavior or characteristics, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "group of eccentrics" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a collection of individuals who share unconventional or quirky traits. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not extremely common, the phrase appears primarily in news and media, as well as encyclopedic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly establishes the shared eccentricity and provide specific examples to illustrate their unique qualities. Be cautious about overgeneralizing eccentricity to mildly quirky individuals. Consider alternative phrases like "collection of oddballs" or "band of unusual characters" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collection of oddballs

Replaces "group" with "collection" and "eccentrics" with a more informal term, "oddballs."

band of unusual characters

Substitutes "group" with "band" and "eccentrics" with a broader term, "unusual characters."

assembly of quirky individuals

Replaces "group" with "assembly" and "eccentrics" with "quirky individuals", making it slightly more formal.

cluster of nonconformists

Uses "cluster" instead of "group" and "nonconformists" to emphasize the unconventional nature.

circle of eccentric personalities

Emphasizes the personal aspect using "personalities" instead of "eccentrics" and "circle" instead of "group".

gathering of individualists

Highlights the independent nature of the individuals using "individualists" instead of "eccentrics".

company of odd people

Uses simpler language, replacing "eccentrics" with "odd people" and "group" with "company".

set of peculiar folks

Offers a folksy tone with "folks" and "peculiar" replacing "eccentrics" and "group" with "set".

cohort of unconventional people

Replaces "group" with "cohort" and "eccentrics" with "unconventional people" to sound more academic.

collection of characters

A more general phrase that broadens the description beyond just "eccentrics" to simply "characters".

FAQs

How can I use "group of eccentrics" in a sentence?

You might say, "The novel featured a charming "group of eccentrics" living in a secluded mansion" or "The professor's research team was seen as a "group of eccentrics", but their work was revolutionary."

What are some synonyms for "group of eccentrics"?

Consider alternatives such as "collection of oddballs", "band of unusual characters", or "assembly of quirky individuals" depending on the desired tone and context.

Is it appropriate to use "group of eccentrics" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "group of eccentrics" might be considered informal for academic or highly professional contexts. Opt for phrases like "cohort of unconventional people" for a more formal tone.

What distinguishes a "group of eccentrics" from a "group of friends"?

A "group of friends" implies a social connection based on affection and shared interests. A "group of eccentrics" focuses on the shared characteristic of unconventional or quirky behavior, regardless of their social relationship.