procession of people

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "procession of people" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a group of individuals moving together in an organized manner, often for a specific purpose or event. Example: "The annual parade featured a vibrant procession of people celebrating the local culture and traditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"There was a heartbreaking procession of people through our house seeking justice," Okri says.

The Guardian - Books

It's meant to be a quiet day but a procession of people come through.

The Guardian

A steady procession of people, as purposeful as ants, wound its way along undulating paths toward the entrance.

The New York Times - Travel

Most migration takes place within countries, not between them, part of the great procession of people from country to town and from agriculture to industry.

The Economist

"Can you name three things Hillary Clinton has done for New York?" an announcer asks, followed by a procession of people answering "no" in various ways.

The New York Times

Similarly in Berlin last Saturday, a procession of people dressed as animals marched through the streets, bearing photographs of bleeding creatures and playing funereal music through a loudspeaker.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The most popular way to tackle it is by climbing up to one of the many mountain huts, getting a few hours' sleep and then leaving before dawn and joining the processions of people climbing in the dark (bring a head torch) to view the sunrise from the peak.

The Guardian - Travel

I didn't stay long, but it was a mini-procession of people in pairs taking pictures of each other with the apse of the cathedral behind them; it was rather like being at a model show.

University of Chicago

The Vatican and those close to it described the meeting in the way that some Vatican-watchers had speculated in recent days, based on their own sources: Davis' meeting was not arranged by the Vatican, and it appears she was part of a procession line of people greeting the pope.

Huffington Post

Vincent Scully was honored by a procession of bright people who had known him well.

Yale University

That did not become public, but a procession of other people would be spotted by the media going in and out of her house over the following days.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "procession of people" when describing a group moving in a formal or ceremonial way. Consider the context to ensure the term aligns with the event's tone.

Common error

Avoid using "procession of people" in casual settings where simpler terms like "group" or "crowd" would be more appropriate. The term implies a certain level of formality or organization that might not be present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "procession of people" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object in a sentence. It identifies a group moving in an orderly or ceremonial manner. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "procession of people" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to depict an organized group in motion. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correctness and applicability, indicating its function to describe orderly movement, often in formal or ceremonial contexts. The phrase maintains a neutral register, commonly found in news and academic sources. While not exceptionally frequent, understanding its appropriate usage can enhance clarity in writing by precisely portraying the nature of a collective movement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

parade of individuals

Replaces "procession" with "parade", implying a celebratory or organized event.

stream of persons

Uses "stream" to emphasize a continuous flow, suitable for describing a constant movement of people.

line of people

Suggests a more ordered and linear arrangement than a general "procession".

group of marchers

Focuses on those who are marching, implying purposefulness and coordination.

throng of individuals

Indicates a densely packed crowd moving together, often with a sense of urgency or excitement.

cavalcade of people

Implies a more formal and elaborate procession, often associated with dignitaries or special events.

company of people

Focuses on the shared experience and unity of the group.

gathering of individuals

Suggests a collection of people assembled for a specific purpose.

assemblage of people

Similar to "gathering", but with a more formal or official connotation.

train of people

Suggests a long, continuous line of people, one after another.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "procession of people" in a sentence?

The phrase "procession of people" is used to describe a group moving in an orderly fashion, often for a specific purpose or during a ceremony. For example, "The funeral was marked by a solemn procession of people following the hearse".

What are some alternatives to "procession of people"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "procession of people" include "parade of individuals", "stream of persons", or simply "crowd" or "group".

Is "procession of people" formal or informal?

The phrase "procession of people" tends to be more formal, suggesting an organized and often ceremonial movement. In informal contexts, "group of people" or "crowd" might be more suitable.

What distinguishes "procession of people" from a "parade"?

While both involve groups moving together, a "parade" typically implies a celebratory or festive event, while a "procession of people" can refer to any organized movement, including somber or religious occasions.