small contingent of students

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small contingent of students" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific, limited group of students within a larger population, often in contexts such as discussions about participation or representation. Example: "A small contingent of students attended the conference to represent our university."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

One pivotal episode for Walker was an event at the A.C.A. in which the school's relatively small contingent of black students arranged a study group to talk about race.

The New Yorker

As the monsoon season began to wind down, a small contingent of SSA students arrived in India this august.

University of Chicago

It is unreasonable to expect a piece of software that is ~25k lines of code (and growing) to be actively developed, maintained, and supported by only a small contingent of people, many of whom may be graduate students soon to graduate and move on.

F1000Research

This school year marked a special time in history for the students of Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, as a small contingent of women have formed the first Black Student Union at the high school.

Los Angeles Times

They were joined by a small contingent of Republican lawmakers.

The New York Times

Ruby and Pasha have joined a small contingent of bedbug-sniffing dogs.

The New York Times

A small contingent of people with a plump young man.

The Guardian - Books

The passengers also included a small contingent of Alabama National Guardsmen.

The New Yorker

Among the reporters was a small contingent of Libyan journalists.

The New York Times

The students — approximately eighty of them, many with their heads shaved and wearing bandannas over their faces — were able to overwhelm the small contingent of private security at the station.

The New Yorker

The students—approximately eighty of them, many with their heads shaved and wearing bandannas over their faces were able to overwhelm the small contingent of private security at the station.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small contingent of students" when you want to emphasize both the limited number and the representational aspect of the group, such as when they are attending an event or representing a larger organization.

Common error

Avoid using "contingent" too frequently in your writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound repetitive or overly formal. Vary your vocabulary by using alternatives like "group", "number", or "selection" depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small contingent of students" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific, limited group of students within a larger population. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Academia

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Wiki

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "small contingent of students" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that describes a limited number of students. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, with example usage across news, academic, and formal contexts. While its frequency is limited, its meaning is clear, and alternatives like "small group of students" offer simpler options. It's best employed when both the limited size and the representational aspect of the student group are relevant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small group of students

Replaces "contingent" with the more common and simpler term "group".

limited number of students

Emphasizes the restricted quantity of students.

few students

A more concise and informal way to express a small quantity.

handful of students

Implies a very small and easily counted number of students.

minority of students

Focuses on the students being a smaller portion of a larger group.

small subset of students

Uses a more formal term, "subset", to indicate a smaller group within a larger set.

select few students

Highlights the potential exclusivity or special status of the students.

tiny fraction of students

Emphasizes that the students represent a very small portion of the whole.

restricted group of students

Indicates that the group of students is limited or controlled in some way.

modest number of students

Highlights the limited or moderate count of students.

FAQs

How can I use "small contingent of students" in a sentence?

You can use "small contingent of students" to describe a limited number of students representing a larger group or participating in a specific activity. For instance: "A small contingent of students attended the conference to present their research."

What are some alternatives to "small contingent of students"?

Some alternatives include "small group of students", "limited number of students", or "few students". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is there a difference between "small contingent of students" and "small group of students"?

While similar, "small contingent of students" often implies that the students are representing a larger body or have a specific purpose, whereas "small group of students" is a more general term for a small collection of students.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "small contingent of students"?

This phrase is appropriate when you want to highlight both the limited number of students and their role as representatives or participants in a particular event or activity. It is suitable for formal writing and news reporting.