a litany of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a litany of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a long and tedious list of complaints, problems, or grievances. For example, "The citizens of the small town recited a litany of economic woes that they felt had been ignored for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Together they recounted a litany of trespasses.

The New York Times

But a litany of hurdles lie ahead.

Independent

Next year, a "Litany of Lamb"?

The New York Times - Food

A litany of farewells, then.

The Guardian - Opinion

Kane's piece is a litany of despair.

The Guardian - Music

Pessimists point to a litany of ills.

The New York Times

Today there was a litany of failure.

The New York Times - Sports

A litany of praise gushed forth.

The Guardian

Appalled obstetricians ticked off a litany of life-threatening situations.

The New York Times

This was just one of a litany of similar accounts.

Independent

The 20th century was a litany of horrors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a litany of" when you want to emphasize the tedious and often negative nature of a long list. It adds a tone of complaint or frustration to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a litany of" when simply describing a list of items without any negative connotation. Opt for neutral alternatives like "a series of" or "a collection of" for a more balanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a litany of" functions as a determiner or adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a long and often tedious or negative series of things. As Ludwig AI notes, it's used to introduce a list with an implied sense of complaint or frustration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

15%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a litany of" is a phrase used to describe a long, often tedious, and negative series of things. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts. While it's most common in news and media, academic writing, and scientific publications, it's important to be mindful of its negative connotation and consider more neutral alternatives when appropriate. As outlined in the writing guidance, avoid overuse in neutral contexts to maintain a balanced tone. Related phrases such as "a series of" or "a collection of" can offer a more neutral approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a series of

Focuses on the sequential nature of items, less emphasis on negativity.

a catalog of

Implies a more organized and structured list.

a string of

Suggests items are connected or linked together.

a collection of

Emphasizes a gathering of items, without necessarily implying negativity.

an array of

Highlights the diverse nature of the items.

a multitude of

Focuses on the large quantity of items.

a succession of

Highlights that items are following one after another.

a parade of

Implies a display or procession of items, often in a showy manner.

a compilation of

Indicates that items have been gathered together from different sources.

a register of

Implies a formal listing.

FAQs

How to use "a litany of" in a sentence?

Use "a litany of" to introduce a long, often negative, list. For example, "The project failed due to "a litany of" errors and miscalculations."

What can I say instead of "a litany of"?

You can use alternatives like "a series of", "a catalog of", or "a multitude of" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "a litany of" in a positive context?

While grammatically correct, "a litany of" is typically used to describe negative or problematic lists. Using it in a positive context might sound unusual or even sarcastic. Consider alternatives like "an abundance of" or "a wealth of" for positive lists.

What's the difference between "a litany of" and "a list of"?

"A list of" is a neutral way to introduce a set of items. "A litany of", on the other hand, implies a long, tedious, and often negative set of items, suggesting frustration or complaint.