mass of fish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mass of fish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large quantity or group of fish, often in a biological or ecological context. Example: "The researchers observed a mass of fish swimming together near the coral reef."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Fish have scales, but a mass of fish arranged in overlapping rows makes one large scaly surface in "Fish" from Oaxaca.

The New York Times

Usually this involves a cap on the total mass of fish taken, a total allowable catch (TAC) limit.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

When the mass of fish breaks the water, it splays into the air, and Billy must shoot the confetti of falling creatures for a high score.

The New Yorker

And then it began: bubble-net feeding; the Holy Grail of whale watchers, a rare phenomenon where whales corral and feed on a concentrated mass of fish.

BBC

Fishing and cargo trading employ fewer people in the area since their peak in earlier centuries, but local fishermen catch the largest mass of fish in England and the third largest in the United Kingdom.

Wikipedia

At a given body weight, as temperature increases, brain mass of fish increases, but the increase of brain mass with temperature is larger in mammals.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The vast patch of garbage floating in the Pacific Ocean is far worse than previously thought, with an aerial survey finding a much larger mass of fishing nets, plastic containers and other discarded items than imagined.

The Guardian

Much of the muscle mass of fishes and salamandroid amphibians is in the axial muscles32,33, and consequently the axial structures often contribute a significant proportion of propulsive force in terrestrial locomotion, even when appendicular structures are present1,23,34,35.

Nature

The Marel SureTrack grader is equipped with transfer bins for grading of predetermined masses of fish.

Procedia CIRP

So if I, as someone who probably buys the most fish in the town, march onto the harbour arm every day to pick up masses of fish that would kind of take away from that".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Nets are rapidly sunk by the masses of fish, while extreme tides tear through canyons of undersea mud.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a large number of fish, consider using more specific terms like "school", "shoal", or "stock" if appropriate to provide a more vivid and accurate image to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "mass of fish" when referring to individual fish or a small number of fish. "Mass" implies a large, collective quantity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mass of fish" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a large quantity or aggregation of fish. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

44%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mass of fish" is a grammatically sound and usable noun phrase that effectively describes a large quantity or aggregation of fish. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and suitable for written English. While "mass of fish" is appropriate in various contexts, more specific terms like "school of fish", "shoal of fish", or "fish stock" can offer greater precision depending on the intended meaning. The phrase is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

school of fish

Refers specifically to a large group of fish swimming together.

shoal of fish

Similar to "school of fish", emphasizing a tightly packed group.

large quantity of fish

Focuses on the amount of fish present, rather than the group behavior.

abundance of fish

Highlights the plentifulness of fish in a certain area.

fish population

Refers to the total number of fish in a specific location or species.

aggregation of fish

Describes a gathering of fish, often for a specific purpose like spawning.

collection of fish

A general term for a group of fish, without specifying size or behavior.

fish stock

Often used in fisheries management to describe the exploitable population of a fish species.

biomass of fish

Focuses on the total mass of fish in a given area, important in ecological studies.

swarm of fish

Suggests a very large, dense, and often rapidly moving group of fish.

FAQs

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

You can use "mass of fish" to describe a large group of fish, such as, "The documentary showed a huge mass of fish migrating upstream."

What is a good alternative to "mass of fish"?

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

Is "mass of fish" a formal or informal term?

"Mass of fish" is a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more specific terms like "fish stock" might be preferred in scientific or professional settings.

What does "biomass of fish" mean and how is it different from "mass of fish"?

"Biomass of fish" refers to the total mass of fish in a defined area or ecosystem and is a scientific measurement. "Mass of fish" is a more general term that simply describes a large quantity of fish.