a shelf of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a shelf of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a collection or arrangement of items that are placed on a shelf. Example: "On a shelf of books, I found an old novel that I had been searching for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A shelf of homburgs and fedoras.

The New York Times - Arts

A shelf of bricks; a squeaky cot.

The Guardian

We had not a shelf of books.

Independent

Edgar had levelled a shelf of stones.

The New Yorker

There's a shelf of histories to consult.

The New York Times - Books

With Wodehouse you could have a shelf of books.

The Guardian - Books

A shelf of unread books is also helpful".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He paused by a shelf of ceramic skulls.

The New Yorker

What a shelf of books, what a library, he has left us.

The New Yorker

Rumour has it I might have a shelf of my own soon.

Independent

It had a shelf of supplies and an ax, but furniture you had to buy separately.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a shelf of" when you want to describe items neatly arranged or displayed on a shelf. For example, "a shelf of books" or "a shelf of trophies."

Common error

While common, overusing "a shelf of" can make your writing monotonous. Vary your descriptions by using alternatives like "collection", "array", or specifying the arrangement, such as "books lined up on a shelf".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shelf of" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adjectival modifier, describing the items located on the shelf. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, showcasing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a shelf of" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a collection of items arranged on a shelf. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, to provide descriptive detail. While "a shelf of" is a versatile phrase, it's important to vary your vocabulary by considering alternatives like "a collection of" or "an array of" to avoid repetition. Remember that "shelf" remains singular in this construction, regardless of the number of items it holds.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rack of

Replaces "shelf" with "rack", implying a different type of structure for holding items, often used for clothing or equipment.

a cabinet of

Replaces "shelf" with "cabinet", implying a different type of furniture for holding items, often with doors.

a collection of

Substitutes the physical arrangement with a general term for a group of items.

an array of

Emphasizes the organized and visually pleasing arrangement of items.

a range of

Highlights the variety within the items present.

a selection of

Focuses on the act of choosing from available items.

a store of

Implies a reserve or supply of something, rather than a display.

a stockpile of

Suggests a large accumulation of items, often for future use.

a stack of

Indicates items piled one on top of another, rather than neatly arranged on a shelf.

a supply of

Focuses on the availability of items for use or consumption.

FAQs

How can I use "a shelf of" in a sentence?

Use "a shelf of" to describe a collection of items arranged on a shelf. For example, "He displayed "a shelf of awards" in his office."

What are some alternatives to "a shelf of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a collection of", "a range of", or "an array of".

Is it correct to say "a shelves of" instead of "a shelf of"?

No, the correct phrase is "a shelf of". "Shelves" is the plural form of "shelf", but in this construction, "shelf" remains singular and refers to one particular shelf.

What kinds of items can be described using "a shelf of"?

You can use "a shelf of" to describe various items such as "a shelf of books", "a shelf of trophies", or "a shelf of collectibles". The phrase works with any countable noun that can be physically arranged on a shelf.