groups

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "groups" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to collections of individuals or items that are categorized together based on shared characteristics or purposes. Example: "The research focused on different groups of participants to analyze their responses to the survey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More than 9,000 women were involved originally, and were divided into three groups.

The Economist

All presidential and parliamentary elections held during the independence era have been deemed flawed by independent western monitoring groups.

The Guardian

The displaced groups were expected to be living in the tents for up to eight weeks and authorities won't know until Cyclone Nathan has passed whether damage caused is likely to extend that.

The Guardian

The number of boarding groups began to resemble something like a caste system; "change fees," which have always been outrageous, grew higher (two hundred dollars for domestic, three hundred dollars for international), while baggage fees soared to as high as a hundred dollars.

The Economist

Besides, the groups argued, "We lost the right to marry in California at the ballot box.

The Economist

The material effect of being so isolated is that information is reordered around the reality they can't escape: everybody has to care what the Hamas military guy says; his speech is analysed late into the night by groups huddled over cigarettes.

The Guardian - Opinion

According to Eurodad, the coalition of civil society groups that campaigns on debt, there have been 600 sovereign debt restructurings since the 1950s – with many governments, including Argentina for example, experiencing one wrenching write-off after another.

The Guardian - Business

When school groups come, it is sometimes half full.

The Guardian

It didn't occur to me for a second I could have some kinship with other groups.

The Guardian - Film

The most effective NHS boards are now planning for the number of leaders they will need in each area ; the qualities they will require of these leaders ; planning to ensure that diverse groups are properly attracted and appointed to leadership positions at every level; and attracting strong fields of candidates from clinical backgrounds;.

The Guardian

But privacy groups, sensing the prospect of losing one of their most reviled post-9/11 laws, were not in a mood to compromise on Friday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about diverse populations, use "groups" to refer to collections of people sharing a common characteristic, avoiding generalizations.

Common error

Avoid attributing specific characteristics or behaviors to entire "groups" of people. Instead, focus on individual differences and avoid stereotypes.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "groups" is as a plural noun, referring to multiple collections of people or things. As Ludwig AI shows, it is a commonly used term in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "groups" is a very common and grammatically correct plural noun, widely used across diverse contexts, especially in news and media. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage. When using "groups", it's crucial to avoid overgeneralizing characteristics to entire collections of people and to consider more specific alternatives like "teams", "categories", or "organizations" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

teams

Refers to a specific type of group, usually in a competitive or collaborative setting.

clusters

Implies a close gathering or bunching together of items or people.

categories

Focuses on the classification and division of items into distinct sets.

organizations

Highlights a structured and often formal collection of people with a common purpose.

associations

Suggests a connection or alliance between entities, often voluntary.

coalitions

Implies a temporary alliance of different entities for a specific goal.

factions

Refers to smaller, often conflicting, subgroups within a larger entity.

segments

Highlights distinct portions or divisions within a larger whole.

collectives

Emphasizes the shared nature of a group, often with a focus on common goals.

segments of society

Referring to specific populations within a broader societal context.

FAQs

How to use "groups" in a sentence?

You can use "groups" to refer to collections of individuals sharing common traits or interests, for example: "The study examined different age groups." Alternatives could be "teams" or "categories" depending on the specific context.

What can I say instead of "groups"?

Depending on the context, you could use "teams", "categories", "organizations", or "associations". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "groups" or "groupings"?

"Groups" is the plural form of "group", referring to multiple distinct entities. "Grouping" refers to the act of forming groups, and "groupings" is the plural form of "grouping", thus referring to multiple acts of forming groups or the resulting multiple sets. The choice depends on whether you're referring to the entities themselves or the act of forming them.

What's the difference between "groups" and "communities"?

"Groups" typically refers to collections of individuals sharing a common characteristic or purpose, while "communities" implies a sense of belonging, shared identity, and social interaction among its members. While a community may be a group, not all groups are necessarily communities.