a complete collection of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a complete collection of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a full set or assortment of items, works, or data related to a specific subject or theme. Example: "The library has a complete collection of classic literature that spans several centuries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With the completion of the Human proteome, the UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot database has a complete collection of 20 330 human proteins with increasingly detailed functional annotation (The UniProt Consortium, 2009).

Bioinformatics

It contains a complete collection of portraits of presidents and first ladies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"There was a complete collection of the Dansk originals on 1stdibs," he said.

The New York Times

A complete collection of her work, The Last Lunar Baedeker, appeared in 1982.

Encyclopedia Britannica

de Berardinis, V. et al. A complete collection of single-gene deletion mutants of Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1.

Nature

When the military caught Saddam Hussein, they discovered he had a complete collection of Osmonds records, including Crazy Horses.

The Guardian

She got a complete collection of James's stories and found the quotation on the next to last page.

The New York Times - Arts

This autumn a complete collection of his stories, spanning nearly 50 years, will be published by Penguin.

The Guardian

Princeton now has a complete collection of the entire production of the press in Utah in its first year.

Princeton University

Search a complete collection of decision documents from selected multilateral environmental agreements using the ENTRI COP Decision Search Tool.

Columbia University

No more than 20 libraries across the United States possess a complete collection of all four editions.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a complete collection of", ensure that the context clarifies what constitutes 'complete' to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify the criteria for inclusion or the scope of the collection.

Common error

Avoid claiming "a complete collection of" if there are known gaps or exclusions. Be transparent about any limitations in the collection to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a complete collection of" typically functions as a noun phrase modifier, specifying the type or extent of the noun it precedes. It indicates that the noun is not just any assortment, but a full and exhaustive set. Ludwig indicates correctness of the expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a complete collection of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that emphasizes comprehensiveness and thoroughness. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase modifier and appears most often in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clarifies the definition of 'complete' and avoid overstating the completeness of the collection to maintain credibility. Remember that alternatives like ""a comprehensive compilation of"" or ""an exhaustive inventory of"" can provide nuanced variations of the same idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comprehensive compilation of

Emphasizes thoroughness and assembly of diverse elements.

an exhaustive inventory of

Highlights a detailed and all-inclusive list.

a full compendium of

Suggests a concise but comprehensive summary.

a total aggregate of

Implies a sum or accumulation to a complete amount.

a finished inventory of

Suggests a finished and verified list of everything.

the sum total of

Focuses on the aggregate amount representing completeness.

a definitive assortment of

Highlights a carefully chosen and authoritative collection.

an all-inclusive array of

Emphasizes the breadth and variety within the collection.

the entirety of

Highlights all the parts of something, taken together.

the whole body of

Emphasizes a complete and unified set of items or information.

FAQs

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

You can use "a complete collection of" to describe a comprehensive set of items. For example, "The museum boasts "a complete collection of" ancient artifacts".

What phrases are similar to "a complete collection of"?

Similar phrases include "a comprehensive compilation of", "an exhaustive inventory of", or "a full compendium of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a complete and total collection of"?

Yes, using both "complete" and "total" is generally redundant. "Complete" already implies the inclusion of all parts, so adding "total" doesn't add further meaning. Stick to just ""a complete collection of"".

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

"A collection of" simply indicates a group of items. "A complete collection of" specifies that all possible or relevant items are included, implying a higher degree of comprehensiveness.