trickle of students

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trickle of students" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small, gradual flow of students entering or leaving a place, such as a classroom or school. Example: "As the bell rang, there was a trickle of students making their way to the cafeteria for lunch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

A trickle of students came forward to contribute.

The New York Times

If the current trickle of students going overseas gains momentum, it could prompt questions about the UK's future global academic reputation and fears of a new brain drain.

Independent

The city had been content to have a slowly evolving mix of sedate shops and family restaurants that attracted a trickle of students and faculty from the university.

The New York Times

Indeed, if universities turned on the recruiting spigot in China expecting a steady trickle of students, they've gotten a gusher instead.

The New York Times

The John Jay counseling center has seen a trickle of students who had planned to enter the Police or Fire Department but are now less certain about their choices.

The New York Times

A trickle of students exited the Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation, in the New York City borough of the Bronx, around 10 a.m., but there were no hand-drawn signs, no shouted slogans and no discernable form of protest happening.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

THE engine room itself draws a steady trickle of Pratt students, who venture downstairs to draw the fascinating tangle of pipes and drums.

The New York Times

In the 1980s a trickle of smart students began to emerge once again from universities, and the trickle has since become a flood, providing an immense pool of talented Chinese, says Daniel Vasella, Novartis's chief executive.

The Economist

These patterns raise an important question: Can educators increase openness to experience with the possible trickle-down effect of students pursuing, understanding, and finding relevant their science education?

Evolution: Education and Outreach

If most Chinese students are looking for a surefire path to prestige and financial success, who are these handful of students trickling through the Yale School Forestry each year?

Huffington Post

But a constant trickle of architecture enthusiasts and students alerted the foundation to what it had.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "trickle of students" to accurately describe a small, intermittent flow or appearance of students, especially when you want to emphasize the gradual and limited nature of their movement or presence.

Common error

While grammatically sound, repeatedly using "trickle of students" might sound repetitive or less professional in formal writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "small number of students" or "limited student presence" to enhance readability and maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trickle of students" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing a small, gradual movement or presence of students. It functions to quantify and characterize the movement of students.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trickle of students" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase in written English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for describing a small, gradual flow or presence of students. While it's not as frequent as other similar phrases like "small number of students" or "few students", it is particularly effective for emphasizing the limited and intermittent nature of student movement or attendance. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse writing styles. However, in overly formal settings, consider using synonyms to avoid repetition and enhance professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight stream of students

Similar meaning, replacing "trickle" with "stream" to describe the flow.

small number of students

Focuses on the quantity of students, rather than the manner of their movement.

few students

A more concise way to indicate a limited quantity of students.

limited number of students

Emphasizes the restricted quantity of students.

sparse attendance of students

Highlights the lack of a significant gathering of students.

gradual influx of students

Emphasizes the slow and steady arrival of students.

scattered presence of students

Highlights the dispersed distribution of a small number of students.

thin scattering of students

Underscores the scarcity and spread-out nature of the students present.

modest group of students

Describes a small and unassuming collection of students.

isolated instances of students

Focuses on individual students rather than a continuous flow.

FAQs

How can I use "trickle of students" in a sentence?

You can use "trickle of students" to describe a small, gradual flow of students entering or leaving a place. For example: "As the event started, there was only a "trickle of students" making their way to the auditorium."

What can I say instead of "trickle of students"?

You can use alternatives like "small number of students", "few students", or "limited number of students" depending on the context.

Is "trickle of students" formal or informal?

"Trickle of students" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal or academic writing, more precise or descriptive alternatives like "small cohort of students" might be preferable.

How does "trickle of students" differ from "stream of students"?

"Trickle of students" implies a smaller and less continuous flow compared to "stream of students", which suggests a larger and more consistent flow. "Trickle" emphasizes the small quantity, while "stream" emphasizes the continuous movement.