group or flock

[fadysandy]

I saw a group of tourists.
I saw a flock of tourists.
Are they both acceptable?
Best regards.

 

[Rover_KE]

Only a group/party of tourists is correct.

 

[Boris Tatarenko]

I'm not a teacher nor a native speaker.

As far as I know, we normally use "flock " when we're talking about animals: oxen, beeves etc. Moreover, we can say it when we're talking about birds, though I'm not sure about it.

 

[Roman55]

I am not a teacher.

Other more colourful collective nouns, normally reserved for groups of non-humans, could be used for humorous effect or to show disdain.

One that comes particularly to mind for tourists is "a gaggle".

PS @Boris. "Flock" is normally used for birds and sheep.

 

[SoothingDave]

I'm not a teacher nor a native speaker.

As far as I know, we normally use "flock " when we're talking about animals: oxen, beeves etc. Moreover, we can say it when we're talking about birds, though I'm not sure about it.

Sorry, this is way off.

"Flock" is only used with birds. Its use to describe humans is poetic or whimsical.

"Beeves" is not a word I have ever used. It may be in the dictionary, but it is not in common use. "Beef" is usually uncountable.

And the animal is not a "beef" so there would not be a flock of beef. It would be a herd of cattle.

"Herd" is used with most other livestock, other than birds. But there are unique words used to describe groups of different animals.

Edit to note I forgot about sheep. Yes, sheep are in flocks.
http://www.rinkworks.com/words/collective.shtml

 

[Roman55]

I am not a teacher.

I must admit that a flock of beef conjures up hilarious images.

 

[fadysandy]

Is 'a folk of tourists' OK?

 

[Boris Tatarenko]

I was close enough anyway! :-D

 

[Ali Hsn]

Hello!

*I AM NOT A TEACHER OR NATIVE.*

Is 'a flock of tourists' OK?

Considering Cambridge Dictionaries Online, for instance, yes, it seems to be OK!

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/flock_1

 

[SoothingDave]

Is 'a folk of tourists' OK?

Folk? No.

 

[Ali Hsn]

*I AM NOT A TEACHER OR NATIVE.*

Oops! SoothingDave is right! It had to be "flock", not "folk"!

 

[emsr2d2]

I don't find "a flock of tourists" natural although I can see how someone might use it to give a particular impression. There is nothing wrong with "A large number of tourists are flocking to the area".

 

[MikeNewYork]

I have no problem with a "flock" of tourists, if the intended meaning was meant to be somewhat humorous. In additon, members of a Church are sometimes called a "flock".

 

[Roman55]

I am not a teacher.

Yes they are, but that's the Christian metaphor of the pastor and his flock.

They are being likened to sheep not people.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Exactly. And tourists are being likened to the same. Have you ever seen a group of tourists? We have them in New York all the time. Very flock-like as they move around. All they need is a sheep dog to bring in the stragglers. ;-)