in groups of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in groups of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the arrangement or organization of items or people into specific quantities or clusters. Example: "The students were divided in groups of four for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

General Writing

Academic

News

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Visitors enter in groups of 10 at set times.

The New York Times - Travel

In Messina, the migrants disembarked in groups of ten.

The New Yorker

Children will move through the set in groups of 25.

BBC

Projects should be done in groups of two.

Duke University

You should work in groups of at least 4 persons.

Duke University

Students will work in groups of four (4).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

"I like to work in groups of 100.

BBC

They'd come in groups of 80 to a hundred people.

Vice

Ideally playlist vibes come in groups of three.

Vice

Pigs were kept in groups of six.

Animal Cognition

Participants worked in groups of three.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in groups of" to provide precise information about quantity or size of a particular arrangement. This reduces ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid treating 'group' as a singular noun when the intention is to express multiple distinct groups. For instance, instead of saying "The group of students is working on different projects", clarify: "The students are working on different projects in groups of four."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in groups of" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by specifying how something is arranged or done. Ludwig's examples show it describing people working, moving, or being categorized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in groups of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate arrangement or organization by quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure accurate pluralization and avoid treating 'group' as a singular noun. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "in sets of" or "arranged in clusters of", depending on the desired nuance. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, one can effectively use "in groups of" to provide clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in sets of

Focuses on a structured arrangement with defined quantities, emphasizing the set rather than the collective action.

arranged in clusters of

Highlights the spatial arrangement and proximity of items, using 'clusters' to imply a less formal grouping.

organized in batches of

Emphasizes the procedural aspect of grouping items, using 'batches' to suggest a collection prepared for a specific purpose.

in collections of

Focuses on gathering similar things together, often implying a deliberate selection process.

divided into segments of

Suggests a formal partitioning into distinct parts, suitable for technical or analytical contexts.

assembled in lots of

Suggests a number of items gathered for a specific reason or convenience.

broken down into units of

Implies a process of decomposition into smaller components, useful when discussing analysis or restructuring.

categorized in bands of

Suitable for describing division by a certain characteristic, implying the groups are broad and not strictly defined.

separated into divisions of

More formal, this suits contexts needing clear and distinct partitioning.

sectioned off in blocks of

Implies a physical or conceptual separation into regular, distinct parts.

FAQs

How can I use "in groups of" in a sentence?

The phrase "in groups of" is used to describe how items or people are arranged or organized. For example, "The students were divided "in groups of five" for the project."

What are some alternatives to "in groups of"?

You can use alternatives like "in sets of", "arranged in clusters of", or "divided into" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in group of" instead of "in groups of"?

No, it is not correct. The correct phrase is "in groups of", which indicates that there are multiple groups. "In group of" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "in groups of" and "as a group"?

"In groups of" specifies how items or people are organized into multiple sets, while "as a group" refers to collective action or consideration. For example, "The students worked "in groups of three"", versus "The committee decided "as a group"".