the rest of the class

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the rest of the class" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could say, "The rest of the class was struggling with the problem, but I was able to complete it quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The rest of the class got it straight away.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The rest of the class acted as directors.

University of California, Berkeley

It continues like this for the rest of the class.

The Guardian

Take your seat with the rest of the class".

The New Yorker

They are enlightening the teacher and the rest of the class.

The Washington Post

Two others have emotional disabilities and some days disrupt the rest of the class, teachers say.

The New York Times

But he said those admitted are just as qualified as the rest of the class.

The Washington Post

5) Students will then present their hypotheses to the rest of the class.

University of California, Berkeley

Finally, we had the option of presenting our masterpieces to the rest of the class.

Yale University

8) Prepare a presentation to introduce your project to the rest of the class.

University of California, Berkeley

Often, he was separated from the rest of the class and told to draw pictures.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the rest of the class" when you want to emphasize a distinction between a specific student or group of students and the rest of the students in the classroom. For example, "While Sarah struggled with the equation, the rest of the class understood it easily."

Common error

Avoid using a singular verb with "the rest of the class" when referring to the group as a whole. While "the rest" can sometimes be singular, in this context, it typically refers to multiple individuals, so use a plural verb: "The rest of the class were working diligently" is more appropriate than "The rest of the class was working diligently".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the rest of the class" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase acting as a determiner specifying a group of students, distinct from a particular individual or subset. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

34%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the rest of the class" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, particularly in academic, news, and general contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to distinguish a subset of students from the majority, providing context regarding their actions or characteristics. While it's generally neutral in register, aiming for clear communication is always a good practice. Remember to prioritize correct subject-verb agreement when using the phrase, and consider alternative phrasing for diverse writing styles. This phrase appears frequently in sources like The New York Times, The Guardian and academic journals, demonstrating its widespread acceptance across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the remaining members of the class

More explicit and formal, using "members" to highlight the class as a group.

the remaining students

Focuses on the students who are left, instead of implying a contrast with a specific individual or group.

the remainder of the students

Uses "remainder" instead of "rest", emphasizing the portion that remains.

the majority of the class

Explicitly states that it refers to more than half of the class.

the other students

A simpler way to refer to students who are not part of a specific subgroup being discussed.

the other learners

Uses "learners" as a more inclusive term than "students".

the other pupils

Uses the word "pupils", often used in primary or secondary education context.

the bulk of the class

Focuses on the majority or largest part of the class.

the balance of the class

Suggests a sense of equilibrium, referring to those who make up the rest.

the body of the class

A more formal and somewhat uncommon way of referring to the majority of the class.

FAQs

How can I use "the rest of the class" in a sentence?

You can use "the rest of the class" to refer to the remaining students in a classroom setting. For example, "After the announcement, "the rest of the class" continued with their work."

What are some alternatives to saying "the rest of the class"?

Alternatives include "the remaining students", "the other students", or "the majority of the class", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "the rest of the class is" or "the rest of the class are"?

While both can be used, "the rest of the class are" is generally preferred when referring to the students as individuals. "The rest of the class is" can be used when referring to the class as a single unit, but using "are" is more common.

What's the difference between "the rest of the class" and "the remainder of the class"?

Both phrases are very similar in meaning. "The rest of the class" is slightly more informal and common, while "the remainder of the class" is more formal but refers to exactly the same group.