sea of humanity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sea of humanity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a large crowd of people in a given area. For example, "I was amazed by the sea of humanity at the concert last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We could hardly move in the sea of humanity.

The New York Times

The stadium floor is a sea of humanity now, most of it wearing yellow.

The Guardian - Sport

You're in a sea of humanity and people aren't necessarily looking to entertain you.

The Guardian - Music

You are a grain of sand, a drop in the sea of humanity.

The New York Times - Science

Riots require a certain kind of urban congestion; police power must be overwhelmed by a sea of humanity.

The New York Times

But Moses could not have parted the sea of humanity that was headed in Mr. DiFrancesco's direction.

The New York Times

Wilson had noticed Reilly year after year among the marathon's sea of humanity because Reilly is easily noticed.

The New York Times - Sports

Nowitzki took the microphone before tip-off to welcome the crowd, who roared as he gazed up into the sea of humanity.

The New York Times

I stood on his stage and marvelled at the sea of humanity stretching before and around us, dancing their flip-flops off.

Independent

A real marriage, it turned out, had taken place, and the emotion felt oddly appropriate in the midst of the sea of humanity all around.

The New York Times - Arts

Several of our fellow fans had bought periscopes, which popped out of the sea of humanity like skinny one-eyed life forms.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sea of humanity" to vividly depict a large crowd, especially when emphasizing its overwhelming or unified nature. For example, describe the audience at a concert or a protest march.

Common error

Avoid using "sea of humanity" in excessively formal or technical writing. While acceptable, it's a figurative expression that may be less suitable than a more direct descriptor like "large crowd" in certain professional contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sea of humanity" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It vividly depicts a large crowd of people, emphasizing its overwhelming size and often its unified nature. As per Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sea of humanity" is a noun phrase used to describe a large crowd of people, emphasizing its overwhelming nature. According to Ludwig, the expression is grammatically sound and versatile. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase paints a vivid picture of crowded events or places. While generally neutral in tone, it's best to consider context when choosing between this figurative expression and more straightforward descriptions. When aiming for a clear and descriptive way to portray a large gathering, "sea of humanity" is a solid choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sea of faces

This alternative shifts the focus to the visual aspect of a crowd, emphasizing the many faces present.

mass of people

This alternative focuses on the sheer quantity of individuals present.

throng of people

This alternative uses a more direct term for a large, dense crowd.

multitude of people

This alternative suggests a very large, uncountable number of individuals.

host of people

This alternative implies a large and organized gathering.

crowd of individuals

This alternative is a more literal and less figurative way to describe a group of people.

horde of people

This alternative implies a large, possibly unruly, gathering.

army of people

This alternative emphasizes the sheer force and number of people, often used in a metaphorical sense.

gathering of individuals

This alternative is a more general term for a group of people coming together.

assemblage of people

This alternative suggests a formal or deliberate collection of individuals.

FAQs

How can I use "sea of humanity" in a sentence?

You can use "sea of humanity" to describe a large crowd. For example, "The concert turned into a swirling "sea of humanity"."

What are some synonyms for "sea of humanity"?

Alternatives include "throng of people", "mass of people", or simply "large crowd", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is "sea of humanity" an overused phrase?

While widely recognized, "sea of humanity" can be considered somewhat figurative. Consider context and audience to decide if a more literal term would be more effective.

What's the difference between "sea of humanity" and "crowd of people"?

"Sea of humanity" evokes a more visual and immersive image of a vast crowd, whereas "crowd of people" is a more neutral and straightforward description.