troop of monkeys

USAGE SUMMARY

"troop of monkeys" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a group of monkeys, usually of the same species. For example, "A troop of monkeys swung through the trees, squawking and screeching at each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Outside, a troop of monkeys threads through parked cars, stopping to eat discarded fruit.

The New York Times

A troop of monkeys might wander by, or an anteater snuffling for food.

The New Yorker

/// As if / the leaves are hiding a forest floor / where I have buried a troop of monkeys / alive.

The Guardian - Books

Every day my reverie has been destroyed by this troop of monkeys tearing around the campsite, causing havoc, stealing food, banging pots and jumping on tents.

The Guardian - Travel

Amid a troop of monkeys in the Katraniaghat forest range in northern India roamed a naked human girl, playing with the primates as if she were one of them.

The Washington Post

He even attempts to learn the language of animals, gathering a troop of monkeys to dine with him nightly — farcical occasions that dismay his servants and fellow officers alike.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The Double-toothed Kite often is seen following troops of monkeys through the canopy.

Cornell University

Troops of monkeys defend their territories, lions their prides, ants their colonies.

The New York Times - Science

Inside, troops of monkeys scamper around manmade pathways and bridges, bordered by a fast-flowing river and rapids.

The Guardian - Travel

While publicly lamenting the accident, the mayor's office fought off criticism for failing to remove the aggressive troops of monkeys that coexist uneasily alongside humans.

The New York Times

Well, Jonas writes, people in literary cafés talked to each other; people on the Web talk at each other, "like troops of monkeys acting out in nature films".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "troop of monkeys" when referring to a group of monkeys, especially in contexts where a formal or somewhat traditional collective noun is appropriate. It's a common and widely understood term.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect or nonsensical collective nouns with "monkeys". While creative language can be effective, terms like "herd of monkeys" or "flock of monkeys" are typically reserved for other animal groups and sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "troop of monkeys" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a collective noun phrase. It identifies a group of monkeys considered as a single entity. Ludwig AI provides examples where it's used to describe monkeys in their natural habitat or in relation to human environments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "troop of monkeys" is a common and grammatically correct collective noun phrase used to describe a group of monkeys. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is frequently found in various contexts, including news articles, academic papers, and general-interest publications. The analysis reveals that while the term is generally neutral in tone, it is most often deployed to describe wildlife encounters, travel experiences, or scientific observations. While alternatives like "group of monkeys" or "band of monkeys" exist, "troop of monkeys" remains a widely recognized and accepted way to refer to these primates in a group.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Troupe of monkeys

Changes the collective noun from 'troop' to 'troupe', suggesting a more theatrical or playful gathering.

Army of monkeys

Replaces 'troop' with 'army', implying a more organized or aggressive group.

Group of monkeys

Uses a more generic term 'group' instead of the specific collective noun 'troop'.

Band of monkeys

Substitutes 'troop' with 'band', which can suggest a close-knit or rebellious group.

A gathering of monkeys

Replaces the collective noun with a descriptive phrase emphasizing the act of gathering.

A community of monkeys

Emphasizes the social aspect of the group, highlighting their shared living space.

A swarm of monkeys

Uses 'swarm' to convey a sense of overwhelming numbers and chaotic movement.

A collection of monkeys

Uses the general term 'collection' suggesting a more passive or curated grouping.

A drove of monkeys

Employs 'drove' to imply the monkeys are being herded or moving together in a directed fashion.

A mob of monkeys

Swaps 'troop' with 'mob', suggesting a disorderly and potentially aggressive gathering.

FAQs

How can I use "troop of monkeys" in a sentence?

You can use "troop of monkeys" to describe a group of monkeys, as in, "A "troop of monkeys" was seen foraging for food near the temple."

What is another way to say "troop of monkeys"?

Alternatives to "troop of monkeys" include "group of monkeys", "band of monkeys", or "gathering of monkeys", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "troops of monkeys"?

Yes, "troops of monkeys" is grammatically correct and refers to multiple groups of monkeys. For instance, "There were several troops of monkeys in the forest."

What distinguishes "troop of monkeys" from other collective nouns for animals?

"Troop" specifically denotes a social group of primates, including monkeys. Other collective nouns such as "herd" or "flock" are used for different animal species like cattle or birds respectively. Therefore, "troop of monkeys" is tailored to describe monkeys in social context.