group of servants

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "group of servants" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a collective of individuals who serve or assist others, often in a domestic or formal context. Example: "The mansion was filled with a dedicated group of servants, each attending to the needs of the guests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"They are a group of servants.

The Guardian

And there was a small group of servants.

The New York Times

In "After Miss Julie, John andd Miss Julie batten down the windows and doors to hide from a partygoing, victory-crazed group of servants.

The New Yorker

A group of servants and Elmiro's friends sing a chorus in praise of marriage, and when Desdemona sees her father with Rodrigo she realises what he has arranged.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But he added, "We will not be made into a group of indentured servants".

The New York Times - Arts

In a speech, he declared, "There is no finer group of public servants in this country".

The New Yorker

After all, you are inside a group of civil servants; we the public, who pay taxes for your services, are outside that group.

The Guardian - Opinion

On 29 April a group of civil servants held a protest in the centre of Algiers, calling for a total boycott of the election.

The Guardian - Opinion

IN A suburban office on the road to Luxembourg airport, a small group of civil servants is busy picking the next generation of European venture capitalists.

The Economist

The vote is advisory, as the power to rescind a knighthood rests with the honours forfeiture committee, a group of civil servants and dignitaries.

The Guardian - Business

The researchers, led by Séverine Sabia of the department of epidemiology and public health, analysed data that has been generated by the Whitehall II study, a massive group of civil servants whose health has been investigated over many years.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "group of servants", consider the historical or social context to ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning. In modern settings, consider alternative phrases like "staff" or "team" to avoid outdated connotations.

Common error

Be mindful that the term "servant" can carry historical baggage and may not be appropriate in all contexts. Consider whether a more modern term like "staff member" or "employee" would be more suitable to reflect a contemporary working relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "group of servants" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as a collective noun. It refers to a collection of individuals performing duties for another. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in describing historical and fictional contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "group of servants" is a grammatically correct noun phrase that acts as a collective noun, primarily used to describe a collection of individuals who provide services. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is valid and usable in English. While the term "servant" itself can carry historical connotations, the register of the phrase is considered neutral and is more frequently seen in News & Media and Encyclopedia contexts. When considering alternatives, "domestic staff" or "household staff" may be suitable replacements in certain scenarios to avoid outdated connotations. In modern settings consider using terms such as “staff” or “team”.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

domestic staff

Focuses specifically on servants within a household.

household staff

Similar to domestic staff, emphasizing the household setting.

retinue of attendants

More formal, suggesting a group accompanying someone of high status.

team of helpers

A more modern and egalitarian term, less hierarchical.

staff of aides

Implies assistance with specific tasks or duties.

entourage of assistants

Focuses on those who provide support, often in a professional context.

cohort of menials

Emphasizes the low status and routine nature of the work.

squad of subordinates

Highlights the hierarchical relationship and obedience.

crew of domestics

Casual term focusing on household duties.

collection of underlings

Stresses their lower position in the hierarchy

FAQs

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

You can use "group of servants" to describe a collective of individuals employed to provide domestic or other services, such as: "The wealthy family employed a large "group of servants" to maintain their estate."

What are some alternatives to saying "group of servants"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "domestic staff", "household staff", or "team of helpers".

Is "group of servants" formal or informal?

The formality of "group of servants" depends on the context. While generally neutral, it can sound somewhat formal or old-fashioned compared to more modern terms like "staff".

What is the difference between "group of servants" and "staff"?

"Group of servants" specifically implies a hierarchical relationship where individuals are employed to serve, while "staff" is a more general term referring to employees or workers without necessarily implying a subservient role.