a set of colours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a set of colours" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a collection or grouping of different colors, often in contexts like design, art, or fashion. Example: "The artist chose a set of colours that complemented each other beautifully for the painting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

This year, uniquely, we will look for a set of colours to follow a jockey, rather than the horse underneath.

The Guardian - Sport

A block-colouring of a 4-cycle system (V,B) of order v="1+8k is a mapping ϕ:B→C, where C is a set of colours.

Discrete Mathematics

Elsewhere Walsh digs deep into Debussy's stylistic advances – the pentatonic scales, the unresolved chords, the eccentric pedalling �� to show that the result was a set of "colours" that had not been heard, or seen, before in French music.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

One of the most labour-intensive aspects of assembling the exhibition was the "inspiration room", a set of colour-coded mood boards pinned with fabric samples, old photographs, illustrations and hundreds of other scraps of ephemera from Dinnigan's creative process.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr Vettriano, who began painting after receiving a set of water colours for his 21st birthday, said of his work: "The whole debate between the public loving it and critics hating it made it controversial and I've benefited from that.

BBC

Lord Mornington and his Council lauded the battle as a "most brilliant and important victory", and presented each of the Madras units and British regiments involved in the engagement with a set of honorary colours.

Wikipedia

In any case we used a novel algorithm based on CubicBezierSegments to produce a set of contradictory colours between each other to paint the clusters Very often in biological networks, important information is hidden or not easy to detect.

BMC Systems Biology

I was delighted to receive a set of emailed colour photos from Paul Henderson in New Zealand after he won first prize in AZ No. 1,940 and duly received the cup posted to him by the previous winner, Mr Teuton.

The Guardian

The same colours were used to band females because only a limited set of colours is supposed to be neutral in terms of attractiveness [59].

Plosone

Even though our sample size is smaller than the few other prospective studies [7, 9, 15] evaluating thyroid ultrasound characteristics with colour Doppler, it is the largest prospective study to date investigating the use of a set of ultrasound and colour Doppler criteria in selecting malignancy nodules for FNA or biopsy.

Insights into Imaging

In 1733 the amateur English optician Chester Moor Hall found by trial and error that a combination of a convex crown-glass lens and a concave flint-glass lens could help to correct chromatic aberration in a telescope, and in 1774 Benjamin Martin of London produced a pioneering set of colour-corrected lenses for a microscope.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing visual designs, use "a set of colours" to convey a deliberate and curated selection, rather than simply mentioning individual colors.

Common error

Avoid using "a set of colours" when describing technical data visualizations where precise numerical scales or specific color mappings are more appropriate. Instead, specify the color scales used.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a set of colours" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to a collection or group of different colours, often in a deliberate or curated manner. Ludwig examples show it in contexts ranging from art to general descriptions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a set of colours" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase that refers to a collection or grouping of colors. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's most commonly found in news and media, science, and encyclopedia contexts. While relatively uncommon compared to simpler phrases, it effectively describes a curated selection of colors. When writing, ensure its formality aligns with the context, avoiding overuse in highly technical documents where specific color codes are more appropriate. Alternatives like "colour palette" or "range of hues" offer varied levels of formality and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

colour palette

Emphasizes a range of colours specifically for artistic or design purposes.

range of hues

Focuses on the different shades and tones of colours present.

selection of colours

Highlights the act of choosing specific colours from a broader spectrum.

array of colours

Implies a diverse and visually appealing arrangement of colours.

spectrum of colours

Suggests a complete range of colours, often in a continuous gradient.

colour assortment

Highlights the variety and mix of colours available.

collection of tints

Emphasizes lighter versions of colours achieved by mixing with white.

gradation of colours

Refers to a smooth transition between different colours.

varied colour scheme

Highlights a structured combination of colours used in a design or artwork.

assorted colour range

Similar to colour assortment, but emphasizes the breadth of the range.

FAQs

How can I use "a set of colours" in a sentence?

You can use "a set of colours" to describe a collection of colors used in art, design, or any context where multiple colors are present. For example, "The artist used a harmonious "a set of colours" to create a calming effect".

What are some alternatives to "a set of colours"?

Alternatives include "colour palette", "range of hues", or "selection of colours" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "a range of hues" instead of "a set of colours"?

Yes, "a range of hues" generally sounds more formal and sophisticated compared to the more neutral "a set of colours". However, both are grammatically correct and acceptable depending on the context.

What does "a set of colours" imply about the colors being described?

Using "a set of colours" suggests that the colors have been intentionally chosen or grouped together for a specific purpose, such as to create a particular aesthetic or convey a certain message.