group of fish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "group of fish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a collection or assembly of fish, often in a biological or ecological context. Example: "While snorkeling, I was amazed by the vibrant colors of the group of fish swimming around the coral reef."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fish diversity or richness was estimated as the number of different group of fish present within captures at each sampling locality and year.

International Aquatic Research

A group of fish is called so gross why are all these fish here?

The New Yorker

Once an initial group of fish was created this way, the rest could be produced through conventional breeding.

The New York Times

We also found jaw specimens belonging to the ray-finned fish, another main group of fish in these parts.

The New York Times

In the case of Lake Malawi, it is a group of fish known as cichlids that has attracted attention.

The Economist

At some point back in deep time, a group of fish were washed into a limestone cave somewhere in northeastern Mexico.

The Guardian

"The stripers are social creatures, and one small group will take up with another until you have quite a group of fish assembled".

The New York Times - Sports

And further video footage from Cape Cod, off the Massachusetts coast, shows the awesome power of this group of fish that continues to fascinate and scare so many.

Independent

The barycentre of each group of fish is represented by a square surrounded by a confidence ellipse.

International Aquatic Research

In 2010, high population densities of another invasive group of fish, the pontocaspian gobies (Fam. Gobidae), were noted.

Environmental Sciences Europe

One group of fish was inoculated with tryptic soy broth (TSB) via the gills to serve as controls.

Aquaculture

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing fish behavior, use "school" or "shoal" if the fish are moving together in a coordinated way. Otherwise, "group of fish" is a suitable general term.

Common error

In scientific writing, avoid overusing the general term "group of fish". Be specific by identifying the species or taxonomic classification whenever possible to enhance clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "group of fish" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object within a sentence. It denotes a collection or assemblage of fish, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, indicating it is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "group of fish" is a grammatically sound and widely recognized noun phrase used to describe a collection of fish. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for both formal and neutral registers, frequently appearing in scientific and news contexts. While generally interchangeable with terms like ""school of fish"" or ""shoal of fish"", it's crucial to select the most contextually appropriate term for precision. Remember to avoid overusing "group of fish" in technical writing; instead, specify species or taxonomic classifications where relevant for enhanced clarity. With a strong presence in reputable sources, "group of fish" remains a reliable and versatile phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

school of fish

Refers to a large number of fish swimming together in a coordinated manner.

shoal of fish

Similar to "school of fish", denoting a large assembly of fish, but less structured.

pod of fish

Emphasizes a smaller, more closely knit group, akin to a family unit.

cluster of fish

Highlights the close proximity and aggregation of fish in a specific area.

population of fish

Focuses on the entire number of fish within a defined geographic region or ecosystem.

consortium of fish

Implies a collaborative or mutually beneficial grouping of fish.

aggregation of fish

Stresses the act of fish gathering together, often for a specific purpose.

community of fish

Highlights the interconnectedness and interactions among fish in a shared habitat.

collection of fish

A general term for a gathered assortment of fish, without specific connotations.

assembly of fish

A formal term indicating a purposeful gathering of fish in a location.

FAQs

What's the difference between "group of fish", "school of fish" and "shoal of fish"?

"Group of fish" is a general term for any collection of fish. "School of fish" and ""shoal of fish"" describe fish swimming together, with "school" implying more coordinated movement.

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

You can use "group of fish" to describe a collection of fish in various contexts. For example, "A large group of fish was observed near the coral reef" or "The scientist studied a group of fish in the lab".

What can I say instead of "group of fish"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""school of fish"", ""shoal of fish"", or "population of fish".

Is "group of fishes" grammatically correct?

While "fishes" can refer to different species, "group of fish" is generally preferred when referring to a collection of fish, regardless of species. "Fishes" is more specialized in taxonomic discussion.