a variety of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a variety of" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to describe a wide range of different things. For example, "We offer a variety of delicious desserts to choose from."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

found a variety of shortcomings.

The New York Times

"It's a variety of things.

The New York Times - Sports

For a variety of reasons.

The Economist

We found a variety of styles.

The New York Times - Food

"Just a variety of issues".

Los Angeles Times

Hydrozoa have a variety of life cycles.

Wikipedia

A variety of outcome measures were reported.

Plosone

A variety of herbal teas.

Bplans

A variety of food.

WikiHow

Use a variety of vegetables.

WikiHow

Eat a variety of vegetables.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a variety of", ensure the noun that follows is plural. For example: "a variety of options", not "a variety of option".

Common error

Avoid using a singular noun after "a variety of". It should always be followed by a plural noun. For example, use "a variety of colors", not "a variety of color".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a variety of" functions as a determiner, specifically a pre-quantifier. It introduces a noun phrase, indicating that the noun phrase represents multiple different types or instances. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts to describe diversity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

42%

News & Media

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a variety of" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate diversity and multiplicity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It's crucial to follow it with a plural noun and to ensure the context aligns with the intention of conveying variety. While suitable for diverse registers, it appears most frequently in Wiki, News & Media, and Scientific contexts. Remember to use it to broaden statements inclusively, enhancing the sense of variety in your writing. The phrase is useful in many situations and should be a great addition to your toolbox.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a range of

Emphasizes the span between limits in a set of options or items.

an array of

Highlights the ordered and impressive arrangement of different items.

a selection of

Focuses on the act of choosing from different options available.

a multitude of

Stresses the large quantity of different things.

various kinds of

Highlights the differences in types within a group.

diverse types of

Emphasizes the heterogeneity and broad spectrum of different types.

an assortment of

Focuses on a collection of varied items, often with no specific order.

a spectrum of

Highlights a range of different positions, opinions, or qualities.

a plethora of

Stresses an overabundance of different options.

several types of

Indicates that there are more than two but not a large number of different types.

FAQs

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

Use "a variety of" to indicate that there are many different types of something. For example, "The store sells "a variety of fruits"".

What are some alternatives to "a variety of"?

You can use alternatives such as "a range of", "an array of", or "various kinds of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a variety of option" instead of "a variety of options"?

No, it is not correct. "A variety of" should always be followed by a plural noun. The correct phrase is "a variety of options".

What's the difference between "a variety of" and "various"?

"A variety of" is followed by a plural noun and implies a selection from different types, while "various" is an adjective that directly modifies a plural noun. For example, "a variety of books" versus "various books".