move in groups

USAGE SUMMARY

"move in groups" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to a group of people or objects moving together in a coordinated manner. It can also be used figuratively to describe a group of people working together towards a common goal. Example: During the field trip, the students were told to move in groups of three for safety reasons. Example: The protesters decided to move in groups in order to make a stronger impact and get their message across.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Or, why do salamanders move in groups?

The New York Times - Travel

Heading for the square today the mood is grim; we feel we should move in groups.

The Guardian

"They move in groups so that they can keep an eye on each other and avoid individual members talking with us and becoming corrupted".

The New Yorker

Once they go, they move in groups of four or five and scan areas from the vehicle before getting out, remaining in constant contact with their newsroom.

Independent

Lauren offered a few theories about why women might be reluctant to move in: concerns about safety in Crown Heights (which she hadn't found to be a problem), and the fact that they tend to move in groups.

The New Yorker

They move in groups (tribes or clans) from summer to winter pasturages, living in tents and, while on the move, packing their belongings on the backs of camels, donkeys, and cattle.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

At large events, people have always moved in groups to the next big thing.

The New York Times

He said the loners were easy to spot because most visitors moved in groups behind flag-waving guides.

The New York Times

Moreover, the characteristics of the tests represent complex and realistic conditions (people moving in groups, the robot moving in part of the experiments, and the existence of static and moving people).

Pattern Recognition

The focus on individual car movement costs disaggregates the decision making process down but neglects the routine commercial position where wagons/freight cars are moved in groups or blocks from a common point to a common destination where this degree of detail, whilst useful, for management and commercial purposes can be irrelevant or unnecessary.

European Transport Research Review

Activists moved in groups of around six to fuel the tire fire with petrol and more tires.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about people in potentially dangerous or unfamiliar settings, use "move in groups" to convey a sense of safety and mutual support.

Common error

Avoid using "group movement" when you specifically want to highlight the action of individuals moving collectively. "Group movement" refers more to the phenomenon or study of such movements, while "move in groups" describes the act itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "move in groups" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating collective movement. This action emphasizes coordination, safety, or strategic positioning, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "move in groups" effectively communicates the idea of collective movement, suggesting coordination, strategy, or safety. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in news, scientific articles, and general writing. While alternatives like "travel in groups" or "proceed in groups" exist, "move in groups" maintains a broad applicability. Remember to reserve "group movement" to denote the general study or phenomenon rather than the specific action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go in groups

A simpler and more general way to express the idea of moving together.

travel in groups

Focuses more on the act of traveling together, often implying a planned journey.

move in clusters

Suggests a denser, more tightly packed formation during movement.

proceed in groups

Emphasizes the action of advancing or continuing forward together.

advance in groups

Implies a more deliberate and strategic movement forward as a unit.

relocate in groups

Highlights the act of moving to a new location together.

march in groups

Suggests a more organized and potentially formal movement, like a parade or protest.

circulate in groups

Describes a flowing or spreading movement within a defined area.

converge in groups

Indicates movement towards a common point or location from different directions.

operate in groups

Focuses on the functioning or working together as a unit.

FAQs

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

You can use "move in groups" to describe people, animals, or even abstract entities acting collectively. For example, "During the protest, demonstrators were instructed to "move in groups" for safety."

What are some alternatives to "move in groups"?

Alternatives to "move in groups" include "travel in groups", "proceed in groups", or "advance in groups", each with slight differences in nuance.

Is it better to say "moving in groups" or "move in groups"?

The choice depends on the context. "Moving in groups" is a continuous action, while "move in groups" is an instruction or general behavior. For example: "They were "moving in groups"" (continuous action) versus "Soldiers typically "move in groups"" (general behavior).

What's the difference between "move in groups" and "form a group"?

"Move in groups" describes the action of traveling together after a group has already been established. "Form a group" describes the process of creating a group. Example: "After forming a team, they began to "move in groups"."