national team

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "national team" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a group of athletes representing a country in international competitions, such as sports events. Example: "The national team will compete in the upcoming World Cup, showcasing the best talent from our country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The national team represents nationality.

BBC

The U.S. national team?

The New York Times

national team, according to FIFA.

The New York Times

"We are Italy's national team.

The New York Times - Sports

Then, the national team program came calling.

The New York Times

"I wanted him for the national team.

The New York Times

Franciszek Smuda is the national team manager.

Independent

In Adelaide, Gebremeskel follows the national team.

The New York Times - Sports

"I care about the national team.

Independent

The national team is little better.

Independent

He plays for his national team.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more specific terms like "national soccer team" or "national basketball team" for clarity when the sport or activity isn't immediately obvious.

Common error

Avoid using "national team" without specifying the sport or country, as it can lead to ambiguity. Always provide enough context for the reader to understand which team is being discussed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "national team" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a specific group of athletes representing a country. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts related to sports and international competition. The examples also show that Ludwig AI consider this phrase as correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "national team" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to refer to a group of athletes representing a country in international competitions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this term is suitable for use in a wide variety of contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media sources, indicating its relevance in reporting and commentary. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates which nation is being represented. While alternatives like "national squad" or "representative team" exist, "national team" remains a direct and widely understood choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

national squad

Focuses on the group of players selected for a particular tournament or series of matches.

representative team

Emphasizes the idea of representing a country or nation in a specific event.

national side

Similar to "national team" but can be used more colloquially, especially in British English.

country's team

A more explicit way of saying the team that represents a specific country.

selected team

Highlights the selection process, emphasizing that the team is chosen to represent the nation.

international team

Emphasizes participation in international competitions.

national lineup

Refers specifically to the starting players or active participants in a particular game or event.

home nation team

Used particularly when discussing teams within the UK or other regions with distinct national identities.

the nation's representatives

Focuses on the symbolic role of representing the entire nation.

flag bearers

Metaphorically refers to the team as a symbol of national pride and identity.

FAQs

How is "national team" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "national team" is generally used to describe a sports team that represents a specific country in international competitions. For example, "The "national team" will compete in the upcoming World Cup."

What are some alternatives to saying "national team"?

You can use alternatives like "national squad", "representative team", or "country's team" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the national team are" instead of "the national team is"?

In British English, it's acceptable to use "the national team are" because "team" is viewed as a collection of individuals. However, in American English, "the national team is" is generally preferred, treating "team" as a singular unit.

What's the difference between a "national team" and an "Olympic team"?

A "national team" represents a country in a specific sport, whereas an "Olympic team" represents a country in the Olympic Games, which includes athletes from various sports. Athletes of the ""national team"" may or may not play for the Olympic team.