a prodigious range

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prodigious range" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an extensive or impressive variety of something, such as skills, abilities, or products. Example: "The artist is known for her prodigious range of talents, from painting to sculpture to digital art."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

They help him encompass a prodigious range of commissions.

The Guardian - Arts

The gyres are in fact arranged in octaves, with each one spinning twice as fast as its lesser neighbor — "a global instrument with a prodigious range".

The New York Times - Books

The title role is notoriously hard to cast; it requires a tenor with power, stamina and a prodigious range, and Michael Spyres does a heroic job in sustaining it right through to the final climactic scene in which the bronze sculpture is cast.

The Guardian - Music

Writing in lucid, user-friendly prose and drawing analogies from a prodigious range of fields (including literature, painting, architecture, philosophy and semiotics), Mr. Johnson made the provocative argument that the graphic interface -- those software-mediated interactions between users and computers -- is potentially "a medium as complex and vital as the novel or the cathedral or the cinema".

The New York Times - Books

Genomic sequence data from the three domains of life have revealed a prodigious range of genome compactnesses; however, our knowledge of the processes responsible for this gamut of genomic architectures is contentious.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Claudia Lennear was an integral part of the Stones' shows in the early '70s, as Lisa Fischer, a singer of truly prodigious range and delicacy, has been since 1989.

The New York Times

Merry Clayton tells of being summoned to a recording studio in the middle of the night, pregnant and with her hair in curlers, to record an incendiary vocal track on "Gimme Shelter". Claudia Lennear was an integral part of the Stones' shows in the early '70s, as Lisa Fischer, a singer of truly prodigious range and delicacy, has been since 1989.

The New York Times

His prodigious range and productivity is only partially captured by the published bibliographies of his works.

Harvard University

(His well-known collaboration with Björk gives further evidence of his prodigious range).

The New Yorker

What makes this show so exceptional is not just its prodigious range – 2,500 years of art – but its passionate curiosity.

The Guardian

But it was the motet, with its prodigious range of vocal demands and expressive opportunities, and Bostridge now thoroughly warmed up vocally, that was the high point.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your writing; while acceptable, "a prodigious range" leans towards a more formal register.

Common error

Avoid using "a prodigious range" when simply describing a large quantity. "Prodigious" implies something exceptional or remarkable, not just numerous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prodigious range" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes the extent or scope of something, emphasizing that it is remarkably wide or impressive. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usability, indicating its appropriateness in describing diverse subjects.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a prodigious range" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that is impressively extensive or diverse. While considered correct and usable, it appears relatively rarely in writing. Its primary contexts of use are in news and media, science, and academia. Ludwig AI analysis suggests that while the phrase is acceptable, consider alternatives like "a vast array" or "a wide spectrum" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, make sure to imply something genuinely remarkable, not just numerous.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an impressive spectrum

Highlights the variety and impressiveness but the core meaning is unchanged.

a remarkable scope

Highlights the noteworthiness of the area covered or addressed.

a vast array

Replaces "prodigious" with "vast" and "range" with "array", altering the nuance from inherent talent to extensive variety.

an extensive scope

Focuses on the breadth of coverage rather than the inherent impressive nature.

a wide spectrum

Substitutes "prodigious" and "range" with broader terms, indicating a comprehensive scope or variety.

a considerable breadth

Emphasizes the significant width or extent of something, rather than its exceptional quality.

a substantial diversity

Focuses more on the variety of different elements instead of the covered topics.

a comprehensive scale

Alter the focus to size and comprehensiveness instead of diversity or ability.

a significant extent

Shift the nuance to the degree or measure that anything reaches.

an expansive reach

Changes the idea of covering multiple topics for the one of impacting multiple fields.

FAQs

How can I use "a prodigious range" in a sentence?

You can use "a prodigious range" to describe the breadth of someone's abilities, knowledge, or the variety within a collection. For example, "The musician displayed "a prodigious range" of instrumental skills."

What are some alternatives to "a prodigious range"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a vast array", "a wide spectrum", or "an extensive scope".

Is "prodigious range" formal or informal?

"Prodigious range" leans toward the formal side. For more informal contexts, consider using phrases like "a huge variety" or "a wide selection".

What's the difference between ""a prodigious range"" and "a wide range"?

"A prodigious range" emphasizes the impressive or remarkable nature of the range, while "a wide range" simply indicates that there is a large variety.