Group vs You're a pack of hounds

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Group

Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun

You're a pack of hounds

InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: GroupMost common: Group
 GroupYou're a pack of hounds
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ɡruːp/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɡruːp/"]/🇬🇧 //jʊəre ə pæk ʌv haʊndz//🇺🇸 //jʊr ə pæk əv haʊndz//
MeaningA set of people or things that are together.You're a group of eager and competitive people.
ExampleThe teacher divided the class into small groups for the project.When they all started shouting for the win, I thought, 'You're a pack of hounds!'
RegisterNeutralInformal
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelA1-
Part of speechnoun
Collocationsbig, large, wide, create, form, found, form, split up, comprise, leader, member, activity, as a group, in a/​the group, within a/​the group, divide somebody/​something into groups, big, large, wide, create, form, found, form, split up, comprise, leader, member, activity, as a group, in a/​the group, within a/​the group, divide somebody/​something into groups, big, large, wide, create, form, found, form, split up, comprise, leader, member, activity, as a group, in a/​the group, within a/​the group, divide somebody/​something into groupspack of wolves, chase a goal, hounds of competition, run in packs
Antonymsindividual, loner, solo-
Common mistakesConfused with 'groupe' which is not an English word., Using 'group' as a verb incorrectly; remember it's mainly a noun., Saying 'group of people' instead of just 'group' when context is clear.Confusing it with 'pack of dogs', which is a literal meaning., Using it in overly serious situations, where humor is inappropriate., Misunderstanding it as an insult rather than a playful comment.
Usage notesUse 'group' when talking about multiple people or items. It's often used in contexts like organizing activities or discussing teams. Avoid using it in very formal writings where specific terms may be preferred.This phrase is often used jokingly or sarcastically to refer to a group of people pursuing something with enthusiasm or aggressiveness. It's not suitable for formal contexts.

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Group
You're a pack of hounds

Frequently asked questions: Group vs You're a pack of hounds

What's the difference between Group and You're a pack of hounds?

Group: A set of people or things that are together. You're a pack of hounds: You're a group of eager and competitive people.

Which is more formal: Group and You're a pack of hounds?

Group is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Group and You're a pack of hounds?

Group is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Group: The teacher divided the class into small groups for the project. You're a pack of hounds: When they all started shouting for the win, I thought, 'You're a pack of hounds!'

Can I use Group and You're a pack of hounds interchangeably?

Not always. Group and You're a pack of hounds are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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