group of folks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "group of folks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a collection of people in a casual or informal context. Example: "I met a great group of folks at the community event last weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a very tightknit group of folks.

Harvard University

It's a very strong group of folks.

The New York Times

An unbiased group of folks, this is not.

Independent

But somehow they were embedded in that group of folks".

The Guardian

"It's basically the same group of folks, white and black.

The New York Times

"There are a whole other group of folks who play this game," Mr. Tabb said.

The New York Times

Let me work with this group of folks and move forward.

The New York Times

“The Lewin report is a group of folks who are not politically affiliated.

The New York Times

"In that group of folks, happiness has declined, particularly since 2000," Twenge said.

The Washington Post

He said only "a relatively small group of folks" oppose it.

The Washington Post

I can't think of a finer group of folks to have Thanksgiving dinner with than you all.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for inclusivity, be mindful of the context. While generally acceptable, consider if a more specific or neutral term like "group of people" would be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "group of folks" in formal documents, academic papers, or business reports. Opt for more professional alternatives like "collection of individuals" or "group of people" to maintain a polished and respectful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "group of folks" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a collection of people. Ludwig examples show it used to describe various groups, from college friends to political affiliates. It acts as a subject, object, or complement within sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "group of folks" is a common and acceptable phrase for referring to a collection of people, especially in informal contexts. Ludwig's analysis indicates its prevalence in News & Media and Academia, though its casual tone makes it less suitable for formal writing. When choosing this phrase, consider your audience and the desired level of formality. Alternatives like "group of people" or "collection of individuals" may be more appropriate in professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gathering of people

Neutral and focuses on the act of coming together.

collection of individuals

More formal and emphasizes individuality.

crowd of people

Indicates a large and often unorganized gathering.

band of individuals

Suggests a shared purpose or characteristic.

cluster of humans

Neutral and slightly detached.

circle of acquaintances

Implies a social connection or familiarity.

team of people

Emphasizes collaboration and shared goals.

assembly of persons

Highly formal and less commonly used.

set of colleagues

Relates to people working together.

body of members

Suitable for organizations or groups with formal membership.

FAQs

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

You can use "group of folks" to refer to a collection of people, as in, "I met a friendly "group of folks" at the community event."

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

Alternatives include "group of people", "collection of individuals", or "gathering of people", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "group of folks" too informal for professional writing?

Yes, "group of folks" is generally considered too informal for professional writing. Opt for more neutral phrases like "group of people" or "team" in business contexts.

What's the difference between "group of folks" and "group of people"?

"Group of folks" is more casual and colloquial, whereas "group of people" is more neutral and suitable for a wider range of contexts.