a collection of items

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a collection of items" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a group or assortment of various objects or things that are gathered together. Example: "The museum features a collection of items from ancient civilizations, showcasing their art and culture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

In the My Room mode, the player's character has his or her own private room in which he or she can either play minigames that have been collected in Adventure Mode, view a collection of items obtained in Adventure Mode, or create a Motion Panel, a unique in-game communication tool can allow customized messages to be sent mid-game to help friends or distract other players' gameplay.

Wikipedia

It is a collection of items that everyone can actually identify with.

The Economist

TON is a collection of items photographed, as the name would have it, neatly.

Independent

And so we decided to assemble a collection of items that Assange might be missing, and deliver them.

The Guardian

Part design shop, part art gallery, maybeshop features a collection of items created from recycled objects by Turkish designers.

The Guardian - Travel

"We are basically creating a collection of items and employing the apartments as a showroom in which buyers can touch and feel and make their personal decisions".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

They were therefore encouraged to focus their attention on the transition from imagining a collection of single items to imagining the items integrated together into a coherent scene.

Brain and Cognition

Professor Manovich has written that the database is simply a collection of individual items in which "every item has the same significance as any other".

The New York Times

A collection of news items with unexpected endings.

The New Yorker

A collection of returned items will be on display soon on the hotel's second floor.

The New York Times

The New Yorker, March 1 , 1952P. 22 A collection of news items with unexpected endings.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a collection of items", ensure that the items are related in some way, either thematically or functionally, to provide context and coherence.

Common error

Avoid using "a collection of items" repeatedly in formal documents. Opt for more specific terms like "assortment", "range", or a descriptor that accurately reflects the nature of the collected items. This enhances clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a collection of items" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig shows examples where it describes various groupings, from museum artifacts to personal belongings, showcasing its versatility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a collection of items" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe a grouping of objects. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, including News & Media and scientific publications. While generally neutral in tone, its appropriateness depends on the specific subject. For clarity and precision, more specific alternatives should be considered in formal writing. When incorporating "a collection of items" in your writing, ensure that the items share a relevant connection to provide coherence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a selection of things

Uses "things" for broader applicability, less specific than "items".

an assortment of goods

Replaces "items" with "goods", implying merchandise or commodities.

an array of objects

Substitutes "items" with "objects", suitable when referring to physical entities.

a range of products

Uses "products" to suggest commercially available items, narrower than general items.

a set of articles

Employs "articles", often used in the context of journalistic or informational pieces but can also refer to ordinary objects.

a compilation of elements

Replaces "items" with "elements", suitable when the collection consists of components or constituents.

a cluster of belongings

Substitutes "items" with "belongings", implies personal possessions.

a stockpile of provisions

Replaces "collection" with "stockpile" and "items" with "provisions", suggesting a reserve of supplies.

a suite of components

Employs "suite" and "components", suitable when referring to a set of related parts.

a batch of commodities

Replaces "collection" with "batch" and "items" with "commodities", implying goods for trade or sale.

FAQs

How can I use "a collection of items" in a sentence?

You can use "a collection of items" to describe a group of objects. For example, "The museum displayed "a collection of artifacts" from ancient civilizations."

What are some alternatives to "a collection of items"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "an assortment of goods", "a range of products", or "a selection of things" to replace "a collection of items".

Is it always necessary to specify what the items are when using "a collection of items"?

While not always necessary, specifying the type of items provides clarity and context. For instance, instead of "a collection of items", you might say "a collection of stamps" or "a collection of books".

What's the difference between "a collection of items" and "a set of items"?

"A collection of items" generally refers to a group of things gathered together, while "a set of items" implies a group that is designed to be used together or that has a specific purpose. For example, "a set of tools" suggests the tools are intended to be used as a group.