team of nincompoops

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "team of nincompoops" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a group of people who are perceived as foolish or incompetent, often in a humorous or derogatory manner. Example: "After the disastrous presentation, I couldn't help but think we were just a team of nincompoops trying to impress the client."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Yet, this team of nincompoops was competitive until the bottom fell out of the economy.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We have this country of nincompoops now".

The New Yorker

A bunch of nincompoops and hardly-ables running the deal?" he responded to critics after picking several businessmen for top state posts.

Independent

Did Apple swerve us, or are we just a bunch of nincompoops?

TechCrunch

Appoint idiots early on and you quickly find yourself with a company made up of nincompoops, he warns.

Science Magazine

Team of 8 guys.

The Economist

A team of doctors assembled.

The New York Times

A team of men returned.

The New Yorker

The prosecution team of Maj.

The New Yorker

A team of heroes.

BBC

Team of the year.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase sparingly and with awareness of its potentially offensive connotation. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "team of nincompoops" in formal writing or professional communication. It is better suited for informal settings or humorous contexts. In formal situations, opt for more neutral terms like "group of incompetent individuals".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "team of nincompoops" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a descriptive label. It identifies a group (team) characterized by incompetence or foolishness (nincompoops). Ludwig confirms this usage, providing examples where the phrase is used to negatively describe a group's capabilities.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

26%

Science & Research

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "team of nincompoops" is a noun phrase used to describe a group of people considered foolish or incompetent. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct but fairly rare, with usage primarily found in news and media contexts, but also popping up in wikis and scientific publications. Although the phrase is usable, its informal and potentially offensive nature means it should be used carefully, especially avoiding it in formal or professional communications. Consider alternatives such as "group of incompetent individuals" for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collection of fools

Substitutes "nincompoops" with the more common and direct term "fools."

group of incompetent individuals

Replaces the informal term "nincompoops" with a more formal and neutral term, "incompetent individuals."

band of idiots

Uses "idiots," a harsher term, to convey a stronger sense of disapproval.

cluster of imbeciles

Employs "imbeciles," a more clinical and derogatory term for those lacking intelligence.

troupe of nitwits

Replaces "nincompoops" with "nitwits," suggesting foolishness and silliness.

assembly of blockheads

Replaces "nincompoops" with "blockheads," an antiquated term implying stupidity.

league of dunderheads

Substitutes "nincompoops" with "dunderheads," a word implying slowness of understanding.

cadre of simpletons

Utilizes "simpletons," suggesting naivete and lack of worldly wisdom.

regiment of numskulls

Employs "numskulls," suggesting a lack of intelligence and common sense.

circle of airheads

Uses "airheads," a more modern and informal term implying vacuousness.

FAQs

How can I use "team of nincompoops" in a sentence?

You can use "team of nincompoops" to describe a group of people who are perceived as foolish, incompetent, or ineffective. For example: "After the disastrous presentation, I couldn't help but think we were just a "team of nincompoops" trying to impress the client."

What can I say instead of "team of nincompoops"?

You can use alternatives like "group of incompetent individuals", "collection of fools", or "band of idiots" depending on the context and the desired level of formality.

Is "team of nincompoops" considered offensive?

Yes, the phrase "team of nincompoops" can be considered offensive due to the use of the word "nincompoops", which is a derogatory term. Use with caution, considering your audience and context.

What is the difference between "team of nincompoops" and "group of underachievers"?

"Team of nincompoops" implies foolishness or incompetence, while "group of underachievers" suggests a failure to meet expectations or potential. The former focuses on inherent ability, while the latter focuses on performance.