a tray of

USAGE SUMMARY

'a tray of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a group or collection of items on a tray. For example, "The waiter brought a tray of delicious desserts for us to share."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I shall take a tray of cupcakes".

The New Yorker

A tray of chicken madras?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A tray of fruit, perhaps.

The New Yorker

A tray of dates served as refreshments.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Can I get a tray of pineapples?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A tray of late antique artifacts in Princeton's collection.

Princeton University

Came forward with a tray of surgical knives.

The New York Times - Books

A waiter offered Jagger a tray of sweets.

The New Yorker

A tray of vegetables sat nearby, mostly uneaten.

The New York Times

He hit the floor carrying a tray of meatballs.

The New Yorker

Cut to footage of Emma dropping a tray of sausages.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tray of" to describe a collection of items presented together on a tray, especially when serving food, drinks, or small objects.

Common error

Avoid using "a heap of" when you intend to convey an organized or presentable collection. "A heap of" suggests a disorganized pile, while "a tray of" implies order and presentation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tray of" functions as a determiner phrase followed by a prepositional phrase. It acts as a noun modifier, specifying a quantity or collection of items presented on a tray. Ludwig AI confirms its standard grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tray of" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a collection of items arranged on a tray. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, especially in News & Media. While alternatives like "a platter of" or "a selection of" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use "a tray of" when items are actually presented on a tray to maintain accuracy. This phrase enjoys widespread usage, as demonstrated by its presence in numerous authoritative sources. It's a reliable and versatile phrase for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a collection of items on a tray

More descriptive and less concise than "a tray of".

a platter of

Suggests a larger, more decorative serving dish compared to a simple tray.

a serving of

Emphasizes the act of serving items, rather than just their arrangement on a tray. Often used for individual portions.

a selection of

Highlights the variety of items available, implying a curated assortment.

an assortment of

Similar to "a selection of", emphasizing a diverse collection of items.

a spread of

Implies a generous and visually appealing arrangement of items, often food.

a display of

Focuses on the presentation aspect, suggesting items are arranged for aesthetic appeal.

a range of

Highlights the diversity of items, similar to "a selection of", but can apply to a wider variety of contexts.

a heap of

Suggests a large, unstructured quantity of items, not necessarily neatly arranged.

a cluster of

Implies items are grouped closely together, often in a less formal arrangement.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tray of" to describe a collection of items presented on a tray, for example, "The waiter brought "a tray of" appetizers."

What's a good alternative to "a tray of"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "a platter of", "a selection of", or "a serving of".

Is it always appropriate to use "a tray of" when describing multiple items?

While generally correct, "a tray of" is best suited when the items are physically arranged on a tray. If they are scattered or presented differently, other phrases might be more accurate.

Can "a tray of" be used for non-food items?

Yes, "a tray of" can be used for non-food items, such as ""a tray of" tools" or ""a tray of" office supplies."