pack of cards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pack of cards" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a group of standard playing cards, such as in the phrase "I bought a new pack of cards to play with."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A new pack of cards was used for each deal.

The New Yorker

The YoGen is smaller than a pack of cards.

The New York Times - Tech

"He's No. 4 or 5 in the pack of cards".

The New York Times - Magazine

His memory like a dropped pack of cards.

The New Yorker

One said he wished he had brought a pack of cards.

The Economist

Australia's batting has collapsed in a way that might shame a pack of cards.

The New York Times - Sports

He was inspired by the action of dealing a pack of cards.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I shut my eyes and imagined shuffling a pack of cards".

The New Yorker

We're all given a different pack of cards – it's what you do with them that counts.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Cornelius Mangold's pack of cards with images of Berlin "plattenbauten" socialist-era housing.

The New York Times

Its for two, three, or four players who use a pack of cards and a pair of dice.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing card games or activities involving playing cards, use "pack of cards" to refer to the complete set of cards used for the game. For example: "The game requires a standard pack of cards."

Common error

Avoid using "pack of cards" when you actually mean the cards held by a player during a game. "Hand of cards" refers to the set of cards a player holds, while "pack of cards" refers to the entire deck.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pack of cards" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage, particularly in contexts describing games, magic tricks, or metaphorical situations involving chance or strategy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pack of cards" is a very common noun phrase that refers to a complete set of playing cards, as stated by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, media, and encyclopedias. The phrase can be used literally when discussing card games or figuratively to describe unpredictable or unstable situations. Synonyms include "deck of cards", and it's important to distinguish "pack of cards" from "hand of cards". Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its widespread acceptance and versatile application in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deck of cards

Synonymous and the most direct alternative, commonly used interchangeably.

full deck of cards

Emphasizes that all cards are present and accounted for.

52-card deck

Highlights the standard number of cards in a traditional playing deck.

set of playing cards

More descriptive, specifying the cards are for playing games.

stack of cards

Emphasizes the physical arrangement of the cards.

batch of cards

Indicates a group of cards, but not necessarily a complete or standard set.

collection of cards

Broader term, may not specifically imply playing cards unless the context makes it clear.

cards in a pile

More generic term implying a disorganized arrangement of cards.

hand of cards

Refers to the cards held by a player during a game, not the whole deck.

cartomancy deck

Refers specifically to tarot or oracle decks used for divination.

FAQs

How can I use "pack of cards" in a sentence?

You can use "pack of cards" to refer to a complete set of playing cards. For example, "He shuffled the "pack of cards" before dealing."

What is a synonym for "pack of cards"?

A common synonym for "pack of cards" is "deck of cards". Both terms refer to the same thing: a complete set of playing cards.

Is it correct to say "package of cards" instead of "pack of cards"?

While "package of cards" might be understood, "pack of cards" is the idiomatic and more widely accepted term for a set of playing cards. "Package of cards" might be used for collectible cards or trading cards.

What's the difference between "pack of cards" and "hand of cards"?

"Pack of cards" refers to the entire "deck of cards", while "hand of cards" refers to the specific cards held by a player during a card game.