a random harvest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a random harvest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an assortment or collection of items or results that are gathered without a specific plan or intention. Example: "The artist's latest exhibition features a random harvest of her sketches, showcasing her creative process over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Talking heads on cable news try, and fail, to identify a coherent explanation for who was raptured and who was passed over; it was, it seems, a "random harvest".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Through the Internet, he learns she was nominated for an Oscar for "Random Harvest," was paralyzed in a hunting accident in 1945, made films and a television series playing characters in wheelchairs and died in 1952 at 31 from "pneumonia, chronic kidney problems and starvation," which strikes him as odd.

The New York Times - Arts

And his apartment is being haunted by Garson and Peters, who starred together in "Random Harvest," a 1942 film about an amnesiac and the two women in his life.

The New York Times - Arts

(Oddly, the only recent amnesia picture that appears fully to embrace this notion is Finnish: the sweet comic fable "Man Without a Past," which is sort of "Random Harvest" without tears).

The New York Times

"Random Harvest" smells suspiciously like a play written to "prove" which half of a couple is in the right.

The New York Times - Arts

She even cites Greer Garson in " 'Random Harvest,' that loony old weeper," as an influence.

The New York Times

'Random Harvest' (1942) THWARTED LOVERS Ronald Colman is a shell-shocked, lonely World War I veteran, and Greer Garson is the music-hall performer who takes him in.

The New York Times

It is also interesting how the gradual response in maturation age seen under random harvest disappears when fishing is size-selective, leading to a few life history outcomes that cover wide regions of parameter space and with sharp transitions between them.

Evolutionary Applications

Two things stand out in Richard Willett's intermittently entertaining new play, "Random Harvest": Patricia Randell's portrayal of the ghost of Greer Garson and a famous 1943 photograph that is never seen.

The New York Times - Arts

And "Dr. Bradley Remembers," and "Random Harvest".

The New Yorker

Film EASTERN BRANCH, MONMOUTH COUNTY LIBRARY "Random Harvest," directed by Mervyn LeRoy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a random harvest" when you want to describe a collection of items or outcomes that have been gathered without a specific, predetermined method or purpose. It suggests an element of chance or unpredictability in the selection process.

Common error

While "a random harvest" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in formal or academic writing where a more precise term like "a stratified sample" or "a representative selection" might be more appropriate to convey rigor and intentionality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a random harvest" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a collection or gathering characterized by its lack of systematic selection. Ludwig indicates the phrase is usable and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a random harvest" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a collection or gathering made without a specific plan or intention. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. While applicable in various contexts, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig, it's crucial to consider the formality of the writing. It appears most frequently in news and media, but its use in science and encyclopedias demonstrates its versatility. When considering alternative phrases, terms such as "an arbitrary collection" or "a haphazard selection" offer similar meanings but may suit different writing styles or specific needs. Therefore, while "a random harvest" is perfectly acceptable, writers should be mindful of their intended audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an arbitrary collection

Focuses on the lack of a specific reason or system behind the collection.

a haphazard selection

Emphasizes the chaotic and unplanned nature of the selection process.

a chance assortment

Highlights the role of luck or coincidence in the gathering of items.

an unplanned gathering

Stresses the absence of any prior intention or design in the collection.

an indiscriminate mix

Indicates a lack of selectivity or discrimination in the combination of elements.

a fortuitous accumulation

Suggests that the collection occurred by good fortune or unexpected circumstances.

an unsystematic compilation

Highlights the lack of a structured or organized approach to the compilation.

a motley crew

Implies a diverse and somewhat disorganized group of individuals or elements.

a mixed bag

Indicates a collection containing both good and bad, desirable and undesirable elements.

a grab bag

Conveys the idea of a collection where items are chosen at random, without prior knowledge of their contents.

FAQs

How can I use "a random harvest" in a sentence?

You can use "a random harvest" to describe a collection of things gathered without a specific plan. For example: "The artist's exhibition featured "a random harvest" of sketches."

What's a good alternative to "a random harvest"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "an arbitrary collection", "a haphazard selection", or "a chance assortment".

Is "a random harvest" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a random harvest" may be too informal for some academic or professional contexts. Consider using more precise terms like "a stratified sample" or "a representative selection" in those situations.

What does "a random harvest" imply?

"A random harvest" implies that the items or outcomes were gathered without a specific method or intention, suggesting an element of chance or unpredictability in the selection process.