surrounded by a host of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surrounded by a host of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is encircled or accompanied by many others, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The artist was surrounded by a host of admirers at the gallery opening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

These peaks are surrounded by a host of lesser mountains.

Britannica

A slowly growing tourist destination, Mafia is about 30 miles (50km) long and 10 miles (17km) wide, surrounded by a host of tiny islets.

The Guardian

Freddie Davies and George Carl form a heartbreaking double act, surrounded by a host of specialist acts and carefully constructed cameos.

The Guardian - Film

But that argument was surrounded by a host of others, including ones concerning which lower court should have considered the matter in the first place.

The New York Times

Surrounded by a host of figures ranging from the wits of the Algonquin Round Table and the nobility of Europe to Noel Coward, Lillian Hellman, Marlene Dietrich, Eleanor Roosevelt and Walter Winchell, this Bankhead is all quips, quirks and querulousness.

The New York Times

Later in the game, Antetokounmpo ventured into the lane, dribbled smoothly through his legs while surrounded by a host of defenders (a move he might've borrowed from Kyrie Irving, his opponent that night, who is almost a foot shorter), and delivered a shovel pass to the corner, where the Bucks forward Tony Snell stood waiting.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

This he did to secure the garrisons of the entrenchments from being surrounded by a host, however large it might chance to be.

University of Chicago

Particles may be surrounded by a host-derived membrane, termed "enveloped," or a tight protein shell, termed "nonenveloped".

Microbial Forensics

The phagocytosed bacteria appear to be surrounded by a membrane of the host protists and they maintain their attachment junction with the surrounding membrane.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The intermediate trophozoite stage is rapidly surrounded by an array of host microtubules and within 48 h differentiates into the macroschizont stage (Shaw and Tilney, 1992).

Cellular Microbiology

Janey is a successful talk-radio host surrounded by a gaggle of colorful male colleagues (one heartland-cute and boyish, one spectacled and British, one sensitive and black) and they all seem demographically contrived.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "surrounded by a host of" to vividly depict a scene or situation where a subject is richly populated by numerous entities, adding depth and detail to your descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "surrounded by a host of" when a simpler phrase like "surrounded by many" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose or affected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surrounded by a host of" functions as a descriptive modifier, adding detail and emphasis to the subject it describes. It indicates that something is not simply surrounded, but is encircled by a large and often impressive number of entities. Ludwig examples highlight this descriptive function across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "surrounded by a host of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that vividly describes something being encircled by a multitude of entities. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is appropriate for various contexts, particularly news, encyclopedic content, and general descriptive writing. While alternatives like "surrounded by many" exist, "surrounded by a host of" adds a layer of emphasis and sophistication. It's important to avoid overuse in scenarios where simpler phrasing suffices, and to be mindful of the overall tone and register of your writing to ensure the phrase aligns with your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encircled by many

Focuses on physical enclosure rather than mere presence.

accompanied by numerous

Emphasizes accompaniment over physical surrounding.

enclosed by a multitude of

Highlights the idea of being within boundaries with lots of elements.

in the company of many

Emphasizes companionship and social context.

flanked by a number of

Suggests a position on either side, more directional.

attended by a group of

Highlights the action of attending or serving.

shadowed by a collection of

Suggests a less literal, perhaps negative, surrounding.

immersed in a sea of

Implies being deeply involved or overwhelmed.

amidst a cluster of

Suggests a close grouping or bunching together.

bordered by an array of

Focuses on bordering, defining a limit or edge.

FAQs

How can I use "surrounded by a host of" in a sentence?

You can use "surrounded by a host of" to describe someone or something that is encircled or accompanied by many others. For example, "The mountain was surrounded by a host of smaller peaks."

What's a more straightforward alternative to "surrounded by a host of"?

Alternatives include "surrounded by many" or "accompanied by numerous", which can be more concise depending on the context.

Is "surrounded by a host of" considered formal or informal?

It leans towards a slightly more formal register, but it's widely acceptable in news, encyclopedias, and general writing. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your piece.

What's the difference between "surrounded by a host of" and "surrounded by a lot of"?

"Surrounded by a host of" suggests a greater number and perhaps a more diverse collection compared to "surrounded by a lot of". "A host of" implies a multitude, whereas "a lot of" is more general.