a selection of letters

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a selection of letters" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a group or variety of letters, whether in the context of the alphabet, correspondence, or any other collection of written characters. Example: "The museum displayed a selection of letters from famous authors throughout history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

A selection of Letters was published in 1975.

Britannica

That issue also includes a selection of letters Carver wrote to Lish.

The New Yorker

A selection of letters written to Moore, mostly by soldiers in Iraq and their families.

The New York Times

In 1997, The New Yorker published a selection of letters between Auchincloss and his distant cousin, Gore Vidal.

The New Yorker

Three years ago, The New Yorker published a selection of letters from Mr. Naipaul to Mr. Theroux revealing the older writer's artistic generosity.

The New York Times - Books

In June of 2006, in a feature called "Soldiers' Stories," the magazine published a selection of letters, e-mails, journal entries, and personal essays by soldiers in Iraq.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The speech recognition software, which is implemented by UK-based firm BigHand, offers them a selection of letter templates to choose from and automatically uploads the patient's personal details.

The Guardian

Now Mills's daughters, Kathryn Mills and Pamela Mills, have published a selection of his letters and unpublished writings, including an autobiographical series of letters to Tovarich, an imaginary Russian friend.

The New York Times - Books

Lettere: 1940 1985 (2000) was a compilation of his correspondence; a selection of the letters in that volume were published in English as Italo Calvino: Letters, 1941 1985 (2013).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Over the last several months, I've saved a selection of these letters that I filed under the topic, "But what about abortion?" The sampling of letters below shows that, for at least some readers, fetal life and death is an issue that rises above all others.

Los Angeles Times

A selection of his letters was published in 1944 under the title A Selection of the Letters of Fairfax Harrison.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Specify the source of the letters to establish credibility. For example, mention "a selection of letters from soldiers during World War II".

Common error

Avoid using "a selection of letters" when the letters are simply a random assortment without any specific criteria for inclusion. Instead, use a phrase like "a random assortment of letters".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a selection of letters" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It indicates a specific group of letters chosen from a larger set. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a selection of letters" is a noun phrase used to refer to a specific collection of letters chosen for a particular reason. Ludwig highlights that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, academia, and encyclopedias. When using the phrase, ensure that the basis for the selection is clear and consider alternative phrases like "a collection of letters" or "a compilation of letters" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a collection of letters

Replaces "selection" with "collection", emphasizing the gathering of letters rather than the act of choosing.

a compilation of letters

Similar to "collection", but suggests a more deliberate and organized arrangement of letters.

a group of letters

A more general term that simply refers to a number of letters considered together.

an assortment of letters

Highlights the variety within the letters, suggesting they differ in content or origin.

a sampling of letters

Implies that the letters are representative of a larger set, chosen to provide a glimpse of the whole.

letters chosen

A more concise phrasing, directly emphasizing the act of selection.

selected correspondence

A more formal alternative, specifically referring to letters exchanged between individuals.

a curated set of letters

Suggests a careful and thoughtful selection process, often with an artistic or historical focus.

handpicked letters

Emphasizes the personal and careful nature of the selection.

excerpted letters

Implies that only portions of the letters have been chosen, rather than the entire letter.

FAQs

How can I use "a selection of letters" in a sentence?

You can use "a selection of letters" to refer to a group of letters chosen for a specific reason. For example: "The historian published "a selection of letters" written by soldiers during the war."

What can I say instead of "a selection of letters"?

You can use alternatives like "a collection of letters", "a compilation of letters", or "an assortment of letters" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a selection of letters" or "selected letters"?

"A selection of letters" emphasizes the process of choosing, while "selected letters" simply describes the letters themselves. The better choice depends on the intended emphasis.

What is the difference between "a selection of letters" and "a body of letters"?

"A selection of letters" implies a deliberate choice, whereas "a body of letters" refers to a larger, often complete, collection of correspondence.