quite a flock

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite a flock" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or notable group of birds or people, often implying a sense of abundance or variety. Example: "As we walked through the park, we noticed quite a flock of geese gathering by the pond."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That's quite a flock.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A: Quite a lot.

BMC Public Health

"Previously they'd been living together as a flock, quite happy with each other's presence, but now there's a surge of hormones going through their little bodies, causing them to moult, and be interested in each other," he said.

Independent

Be alert for any signs of disease or sickness in your birds as a flock can be wiped out quite quickly if a disease takes hold.

WikiHow

Once one individual in a flock becomes colonized, the bacterium spreads quite rapidly, with >95% of the flock colonized within several days (van Gerwe et al. 2009).

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

The wonderfully mixed audiences that fill Shakespeare's Globe on the South Bank of the Thames look quite a bit like the crowds that flock to the Delacorte, or for that matter throng Times Square.

The New York Times

All he knows, at this very moment, is that there's a flock of excited pigeons in his bedroom, they are talking to him, and his life will never be quite the same again.

The Guardian

A Flock of Seagulls, pop.

The New York Times

In a flock.

The New York Times - Magazine

A flock of herons fly across.

The New York Times

A flock of pigeons flew by.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite a flock" when you want to emphasize that a group is not only present but also significant in number or character. For example, "There was quite a flock of reporters eager to interview the celebrity."

Common error

Avoid using "quite a flock" when a neutral or objective description of a group is needed. The phrase often carries a slightly evaluative or emphatic tone, which might be inappropriate in purely factual contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite a flock" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes a group or collection, with "quite" serving to emphasize the size or significance of the group, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quite a flock" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a notable group of individuals or entities. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase and carries a slightly emphatic tone. While adaptable across various contexts, it is particularly prevalent in news, media, and scientific writing. For formal and business writing, more precise alternatives might be preferable. To effectively incorporate this phrase into your writing, remember to use it when you want to emphasize the size or significance of a group. Ensure that it aligns with the overall tone and formality of your content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable group

Emphasizes the size or amount of the group.

significant gathering

Highlights the importance or noteworthiness of the gathering.

notable assembly

Focuses on the distinction or prominence of the assembly.

remarkable collection

Stresses the exceptional quality of the collection.

sizeable number

Indicates a large quantity or amount.

impressive array

Highlights the grandeur or spectacle of the array.

large contingent

Implies a substantial group, especially within a larger entity.

substantial cluster

Denotes a significant grouping or aggregation.

goodly number

Indicates a pleasingly large number.

fair gathering

Suggests a reasonably sized or acceptable gathering.

FAQs

How can I use "quite a flock" in a sentence?

You can use "quite a flock" to describe a notable group of birds or people. For instance, "We saw "quite a flock" of seagulls at the beach."

What is a synonym for "quite a flock"?

Alternatives to "quite a flock" include "considerable group", "significant gathering", or "large number", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "quite a flock" in formal writing?

While "quite a flock" is grammatically correct, it is generally more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "a significant number" or "a considerable group".

What does "quite" modify in the phrase "quite a flock"?

In the phrase "quite a flock", "quite" modifies the article "a", intensifying the description of the flock. It emphasizes that the flock is of a noticeable or significant size.