a variety of documents

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a variety of documents" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to different types or categories of documents in a specific context, such as legal, academic, or administrative settings. Example: "The research project requires a variety of documents, including reports, articles, and case studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A variety of documents were gathered during the period considered (October 2002 to April 2005), such as proceedings and minutes, formal agreements, media articles and government reports.

BMC Family Practice

Today, Indians use a variety of documents to prove their identities, like state-issued driver's licenses, ration cards used for food purchases at government-run stores and a tax identification card that is akin to the American Social Security card.

The New York Times

Mr Mlotshwa, who has been held in detention since March, has provided a variety of documents to the UK Borders Agency, which he says demonstrates that he is Zimbabwean.

Independent

In quick succession, Special Agent Matthew Mikuska has offered brief descriptions of a variety of documents seized during the search of Manafort's condo in 2017.

The Washington Post

This report was written by Karen Codling, public health nutrition consultant based on interviews with stakeholders of the salt iodisation programme in September 2012 and a review of a variety of documents, reports, evaluations, and surveys from the salt iodisation programme.

Unicef

Last week, prosecutors sent SAC a new set of subpoenas, requesting a variety of documents and issuing a subpoena to Mr. Cohen to testify before a grand jury.

The New York Times

Then, last month, federal agents raided the California home of Madeleine Gestas and seized a variety of documents.

The New York Times - Sports

Another site, Flight Safety Information (www.fsinfo.org) has a variety of documents on flight safety.

The New York Times - Travel

The Office site has a huge archive of templates for a variety of documents types.

The New York Times

They would enjoy access to a variety of documents produced in different formats and would download documents frequently.

Harvard Business Review

Collection contains a variety of documents and publications relating to Oliver's time at Cornell.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a variety of documents", be specific about the types or categories of documents you are referring to, if possible. This adds clarity and context to your writing.

Common error

Don't use "a variety of documents" as a placeholder when you lack specific information. If you can't name specific document types, consider revising to a more general term like "information" or "evidence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a variety of documents" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to a collection of different kinds of written or printed materials. Based on Ludwig, the phrase itself is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a variety of documents" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe different types of files or paperwork. Although Ludwig provided no direct examples for analysis, it confirms the phrase's validity. Related alternatives like "a range of documents" or "multiple document types" can be used for nuanced variations. Best practices involve providing specific document types whenever possible for improved clarity. While the register tends toward neutral to professional, its versatility allows it to function effectively across several communication contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a range of documents

Emphasizes the breadth of documents available.

multiple document types

Highlights the different categories or formats of documents.

various kinds of documents

Stresses the diversity in the nature of documents.

a selection of documents

Suggests a curated set of documents chosen for a specific purpose.

a collection of documents

Implies gathering documents, potentially from different sources.

an assortment of documents

Highlights the mixed and varied nature of the documents.

diverse document set

Focuses on the heterogeneity of the documents as a group.

different forms of documentation

Emphasizes the varied formats and media of the documents.

a spectrum of records

Suggests a wide-ranging collection of official or historical documents.

an array of paperwork

Implies a structured and organized collection of documents.

FAQs

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

You can use "a variety of documents" to describe a collection of different types of papers, files, or records. For example, "The investigation involved reviewing "a variety of documents", including contracts, emails, and financial statements."

What are some alternatives to "a variety of documents"?

Alternatives include "a range of documents", "multiple document types", or "various kinds of documents". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to list the specific types of documents instead of saying "a variety of documents"?

In many cases, listing the specific types of documents is preferable for clarity. However, "a variety of documents" is useful when you want to emphasize the diversity of the collection without getting into granular detail, or when the precise list is not important.

When is it appropriate to use "a variety of documents" in formal writing?

It's appropriate when you need to convey that different kinds of documentation are involved without needing to enumerate them individually. It adds generality without sacrificing clarity. Use it when emphasizing the heterogeneous nature of the files or paperwork being referred to.