a collection of marbles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a collection of marbles" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a group or assortment of marbles, often in a context related to games, toys, or collections. Example: "In the corner of the room, there was a beautiful collection of marbles, each one unique in color and design."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It's not a collection of marbles".

The New Yorker

My latest novel, The Marble Collector, is about a young woman who comes across a collection of marbles in her father's private possessions.

The Telegraph

Try keeping a collection of marbles as pets.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Only two pieces have been taken from display cases since the start of the conflict, the ministry reported: a bronze statue from the northwestern city of Hama dating to the Aramaic period and a collection of marble figurines and tablets from the museum at Apamea.

The Washington Post

He said he came to that conclusion after he gave his son a collection of antique marbles worth about $500,000 in 1986.

The New York Times

It's a collection of jars of marbles.

The New Yorker

In the Palazzo Barberini, there is a great collection of marbles and pictures: Among the first, I was attracted by a beautiful statue of Venus; a sleeping fawn, of curious workmanship; a charming Bacchus, lying on an ancient sculpture, and the famous Narcissus.

University of Chicago

This unassuming 18th-century box has a dull facade, but Soane filled it with a wonderfully eccentric collection of marbles and bronze sculptures, manuscripts and paintings.

The Guardian

Beneath an oak at Whaley Bridge a friend of mine found a large collection of marble-galls, the majority of which had been hacked open by the powerful beak of some bird, almost certainly of either the greater or lesser spotted woodpecker.

The Guardian

Or, perhaps, not cleaning up, so that maybe, a person's prize collection of marbles gets left lyin' around..

The Guardian - Music

Inside lies an impressive collection of marble portraits of Jesus and the Virgin Mary.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a collection of marbles", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to physical marbles, or using the phrase metaphorically. For example, you could use it literally to describe a child's toys, or figuratively to describe a set of abstract ideas or items.

Common error

Avoid using "a collection of marbles" when describing something that is not physically collectible or countable. Saying, for example, "a collection of happiness" would be an incorrect metaphorical usage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a collection of marbles" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage as a descriptor for a set of marbles.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a collection of marbles" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a group of marbles. According to Ludwig, it can be found in various contexts, including news, wiki entries, and academic texts. While not extremely common, it's a straightforward way to refer to a set of marbles and can be used both literally and potentially metaphorically. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correctly used in English. Related phrases include "a set of marbles" and "a bunch of marbles", which offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone and implication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a group of marbles

A more general alternative, simply indicating multiple marbles considered together.

a set of marbles

Replaces "collection" with "set", implying a more curated or deliberately assembled group.

an assortment of marbles

Uses "assortment" instead of "collection", emphasizing the variety within the group.

a bunch of marbles

Substitutes "collection" with "bunch", suggesting a more informal or loosely gathered group.

a compilation of marbles

Replaces "collection" with "compilation", highlighting a set that has been assembled in a structured way.

a hoard of marbles

Replaces "collection" with "hoard", implying a hidden or carefully guarded group of marbles.

a selection of marbles

Indicates that the marbles have been carefully chosen.

a stockpile of marbles

Suggests the marbles have been stored, like resources, for later use or trade.

a gathering of marbles

Emphasizes marbles as elements or objects which are gathered.

a cluster of marbles

Indicates marbles are placed very closely, forming a dense group.

FAQs

What does "a collection of marbles" mean?

The phrase "a collection of marbles" refers to a group or assortment of marbles, typically gathered or owned by someone. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a set of related but distinct items or ideas.

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

You might say, "She had "a collection of marbles" from her childhood" or "The museum displayed "a collection of marbles" dating back to ancient Rome".

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

Alternatives include "a set of marbles", "a bunch of marbles", or "an assortment of marbles", depending on the context.

Is "a collection of marbles" formal or informal?

The phrase "a collection of marbles" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, its usage is more common in descriptive or narrative writing than in highly formal or technical documents.