swarm of fish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "swarm of fish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large group of fish moving together in a coordinated manner, often seen in nature or fishing contexts. Example: "As we approached the reef, we were amazed by the swarm of fish that surrounded us, shimmering in the sunlight."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Swarms of fish swam in the river: aukfish, pinochle, wab, dobrotail, buckfin and dumpike.

The New Yorker

Without the interference of the forest, birdlife is much richer there, and lakes and rivers are inhabited by swarms of fish and occasionally by hippopotamuses and crocodiles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

PSO is a population‐based optimization technique inspired by swarms of fish or birds.

BioData Mining

For example, EZ-AG can be used to dynamically navigate networks of aerial vehicles towards the area with minimum turbulence [12] or to dynamically navigate a swarm of robotic fish [13] towards regions of higher vegetation.

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

There are scuba divers and snorkelers galore, but the waters are so translucent you can see the fish from the boat - huge swarms of yellow fish; yellow-tailed blue and grey; a huge Napoleon fish, greyish with a purple nose and mouth; bright blue parrot fish; large multi-coloured surgeon fish - blue, pink, silver and various other hues.

Huffington Post

Young women dance around in, and frequently shed, their bikinis, and are then devoured by swarms of predatory fish.

The New York Times

Yet as terrifying as the notion of swarms of underwater fish drones may be, the Ghost Swimmer and Robojelly are far from the most nightmarish and potentially apocalyptic robots the government and its private-sector chums have cooked up in recent years.

Vice

Wednesday evening's bill opened with a premiere by Bessie winner Richard Siegal, but the performance began at the opera house door, where patrons swarmed like schools of fish lost in a stormy brook.

Huffington Post

In NAFSA, the social behaviors of fish swarm are classified in three ways: foraging behavior, reproductive behavior, and random behavior.

ISA Transactions

Vibrant reefs, and swarms of spectacular fishes - with new creatures to discover under every coral head - helped confirm my personal aspiration as a steward of the seas.

Huffington Post

This reminds of the collective behavior of swarms of birds, fishes, or ants that, through a few simple reflexes, achieve coherent group behavior: the emergence.

Cancer and Metastasis Reviews

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "swarm of fish" to vividly describe a large group of fish moving in a seemingly chaotic, yet coordinated, manner. This is particularly effective in narrative or descriptive writing where you want to emphasize the scale and dynamism of the group. For more scientifically accurate language, "school of fish" is the preferred term.

Common error

Avoid using "swarm of fish" in contexts where precision is needed. While evocative, "swarm" can imply randomness. Use "school of fish" or "shoal of fish" when referring to fish exhibiting coordinated swimming behavior as these terms are more technically accurate and widely accepted in scientific or formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

Noun phrase. The phrase "swarm of fish" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a collective entity, similar to examples found by Ludwig, where collective nouns are used to depict groups of animals or objects.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Encyclopedias

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Wiki

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "swarm of fish" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a large group of fish. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English. While less scientifically precise than "school of fish" or "shoal of fish", it can be used effectively in descriptive writing to convey a sense of overwhelming numbers or chaotic movement. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. When precision is key, particularly in scientific or formal settings, it's best to opt for "school" or "shoal."

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

school of fish

Replaces "swarm" with "school", a more common and specific term for a group of fish.

shoal of fish

Substitutes "swarm" with "shoal", another common term, often used interchangeably with "school".

group of fish

Uses a more general term "group" instead of "swarm", losing the sense of coordinated movement.

collection of fish

Replaces "swarm" with "collection", emphasizing the gathered nature of the fish.

aggregation of fish

Uses "aggregation" instead of "swarm", a more formal term indicating a gathering.

cluster of fish

Changes "swarm" to "cluster", suggesting a tightly packed group.

mass of fish

Replaces "swarm" with "mass", emphasizing the large quantity of fish.

army of fish

Employs "army" instead of "swarm", providing a more militaristic or overwhelming image.

throng of fish

Substitutes "swarm" with "throng", implying a densely packed and active group.

myriad of fish

Replaces "swarm" with "myriad", highlighting the immense number of fish.

FAQs

What is the difference between a "swarm of fish" and a school of fish?

While both phrases describe a group of fish, "swarm of fish" implies a more chaotic and less organized gathering, while a "school of fish" typically suggests coordinated movement and behavior.

Is "swarm of fish" a scientifically accurate term?

The term "swarm" is generally used for insects or other invertebrates. While "swarm of fish" is understood, "school of fish" or "shoal of fish" are more precise and accepted scientific terms for a group of fish.

When is it appropriate to use "swarm of fish" instead of school?

You might choose "swarm of fish" for stylistic effect in creative writing to convey a sense of overwhelming numbers or chaotic movement. However, for scientific or technical writing, "school of fish" is more appropriate.

What are some other ways to describe a large group of fish?

Besides "swarm of fish" and "school of fish", you could also use "shoal of fish", particularly in British English, or simply a "group of fish".