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meaning of "a swarm of bees"



 
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meaning of "a swarm of bees" #1 (permalink) Sat Nov 03, 2007 11:59 am   meaning of "a swarm of bees"
 

Could I say a swarm of soliders/cattle which means cattle and soliders are in disorder?

What about a gang of soliders which means the soliders who helping vicious people?

Is a herd of sheep acceptable?
A herd or flock of swarms?

:D
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meaning of "a swarm of bees" #2 (permalink) Sat Nov 03, 2007 14:17 pm   meaning of "a swarm of bees"
 

I think swarm in that situation would be talking about the amount of something, a swarm of insects

Also I think it would usually refer to smaller objects , but I could be wrong
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meaning of "a swarm of bees" #3 (permalink) Sun Nov 04, 2007 11:56 am   meaning of "a swarm of bees"
 

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A 'swarm' is envisioned as a large, busy number of things, so it often applies to social insects ('a swarm of bees, locusts', etc). However, you will find it used for other large, busy numbers like 'a swarm of workmen' or a 'swarm of reporters'.

Soldiers are normally too orderly to be called a 'gang'-- I can't see that 'vicious people' (whatever you mean) have anything to do with it.

Sheep are normally in a 'flock', and that is a set group noun-- but I can imagine that some speakers, lost for the word 'flock', might choose 'herd' as second best.

Does that answer all of your questions here?
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meaning of "a swarm of bees" #4 (permalink) Sun Nov 04, 2007 12:29 pm   meaning of "a swarm of bees"
 

can i say a gang of bad soliders?
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meaning of "a swarm of bees" #5 (permalink) Sun Nov 04, 2007 15:10 pm   meaning of "a swarm of bees"
 

.
You can say whatever you want-- your reader will be the judge of whether it is natural in the context.
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