school of fish

USAGE SUMMARY

"school of fish" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a large group of fish swimming or traveling in the same direction. For example: "We could see hundreds of tiny fish forming a school of fish in the ocean."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

A school of fish?

The New York Times

Like one big happy school of fish".

The New York Times

"That's a school of fish.

The New York Times - Sports

The latter are from the school of fish.

The New Yorker

This afternoon I swam with a school of fish.

The New Yorker

How is a wind farm like a school of fish?

MIT Technology Review

He added: "It will be like a school of fish.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Huge Spiralling Light Sculpture Echoes The Movements Of A School Of Fish.

Vice

7. School of Fish and Classic Plaid can be mixed and matched.

The New York Times

He moved to Los Angeles and formed the band School of Fish with Michael Ward.

The New York Times - Arts

A School of Fish flannel sheet set in blue and white or olive and white is $34.99.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing marine ecosystems or behaviors, use "school of fish" to accurately portray the synchronized movement and social structure of these aquatic groups.

Common error

Avoid using "school of fish" when referring to an actual school for humans. The term specifically denotes a group of fish moving together, not a place of learning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "school of fish" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It denotes a collective entity, specifically a group of fish swimming together. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

27%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "school of fish" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a group of fish swimming together. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. While alternatives like "shoal of fish" exist, "school of fish" remains the prevalent choice for clearly conveying this specific animal grouping. It's essential to use this phrase accurately in ecological or descriptive contexts, avoiding confusion with educational institutions. As highlighted by Ludwig, understanding its proper usage enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shoal of fish

Replaces "school" with "shoal", a synonym referring to a large group of fish.

group of fish

Uses a more general term "group" instead of the specific term "school".

collection of fish

Substitutes "school" with "collection", indicating a gathering of fish.

cluster of fish

Replaces "school" with "cluster", suggesting a tightly packed group.

swarm of fish

Uses "swarm" to describe a large, moving group of fish, similar to insects.

gathering of fish

Employs "gathering" to convey a sense of fish coming together.

aggregation of fish

Substitutes "school" with the more formal term "aggregation".

assembly of fish

Uses "assembly" to imply a structured gathering of fish.

company of fish

Replaces "school" with "company", suggesting a group of fish acting together.

horde of fish

Uses "horde" to describe a large, overwhelming group of fish.

FAQs

How to use "school of fish" in a sentence?

You can use "school of fish" to describe a group of fish swimming together, such as: "The diver was amazed by the sight of a large "school of fish"." or "A shark was spotted chasing a "school of fish" near the reef."

What can I say instead of "school of fish"?

You can use alternatives like "shoal of fish", "group of fish", or "swarm of fish" depending on the specific context and the image you want to evoke.

Which is correct, "school of fish" or "schools of fish"?

"School of fish" refers to a single group. "Schools of fish" refers to multiple groups. For example, "There was a "school of fish" near the reef." versus "There were several "schools of fish" in the bay."

Is "school of fish" a collective noun?

Yes, "school of fish" is a collective noun because it refers to a group of fish considered as a single unit. Collective nouns like "flock of birds" or "herd of cows" function similarly.