a variety of items

USAGE SUMMARY

'a variety of items' is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used when referring to a collection of different things or objects that belong to the same category. Example: The store offers a variety of items, including clothes, accessories, and home decor. In this sentence, 'a variety of items' refers to the different types of products available at the store. Other examples could include: - The menu offers a variety of items, such as appetizers, entrees, and desserts. - The thrift store sells a variety of items at low prices, such as books, furniture, and kitchenware. - The gift basket contains a variety of items, including chocolates, tea, and scented candles.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

SUNDRY TAX ITEMS There are a variety of items that extend current tax breaks.

The New York Times

It sells a variety of items, including socks, hats and household items.

The New York Times

Gadgets Blast! (//gadgets.pdablast.com/) offers information about the latest technologies available for a variety of items.

The New York Times

Amway sells a variety of items like cosmetics and soap through a pyramid-style network of salespeople.

The New York Times

McDonald's has been doing better than other fast-food chains in the United States by offering a variety of items on its popular dollar menu.

The New York Times

The company, which launched in 2007 and currently has 1,100 employees worldwide, offers a variety of items for women, men and children to its seven million members.

The Guardian - Business

The figures in the latest quarter exclude a variety of items, including a profit last year from the sale of four newspapers and nine telephone directories.

The New York Times

Her store is filled with a variety of items: top-quality pewter, wooden frames, antique bowls, benches and trunks; vintage collectibles; clothing and accessories for women and men.

The New York Times

Mr. Coburn cited a variety of items in the program that he deemed wasteful, and sought to cut the total program funding by 20 percent.

The New York Times

In light of all the recent economic upheaval, the arrangement and enjoyment of a variety of items we use everyday, virtual or not, seems like a refreshing approach.

The New York Times - Magazine

The advent of large discount stores that sell a variety of items and the fact that more people are buying merchandise on the Internet have led many local retail shops to close.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a variety of items", be specific in further describing the items if possible, to provide clarity and context for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a variety of items" as a placeholder when you lack specific details. If you don't know or can't share the exact items, use a more descriptive general term or rephrase the sentence to avoid vagueness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a variety of items" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as an object or complement in a sentence. Ludwig's examples show it often describes what a store sells or what is included in a collection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

29%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a variety of items" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a diverse selection of goods or objects. As shown in Ludwig's analysis, the phrase appears frequently in news, scientific, and general contexts. While there are many semantically related alternatives, such as ""a range of items"" and ""a selection of items"", it is important to be specific when possible to provide more clarity. This phrase is safe to use across different registers but avoid overgeneralization for the sake of informative writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a range of items

Highlights the breadth or scope of the selection.

a selection of items

Emphasizes the act of choosing from available options.

an assortment of items

Implies a collection carefully put together.

a choice of items

Highlights the availability of different things to select.

a mix of items

Emphasizes the heterogeneous nature of the collection.

a quantity of items

Focuses on the amount, an undefined number of things.

a wealth of items

Suggests an abundance or richness in the collection.

a host of items

Implies a large number or collection.

a multitude of items

Similar to 'a host', but with a sense of vastness.

a basket of items

Conveys a collection within a defined container or group.

FAQs

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

You can use "a variety of items" to indicate a diverse selection. For example, "The store sells "a variety of items", from clothing to electronics."

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

Alternatives include "a range of items", "a selection of items", or "an assortment of items", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "a wide variety of items"?

While "wide" can emphasize the breadth of the variety, it's often redundant. "A variety of items" already implies diversity, so "wide" may not be necessary.

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

"A variety of items" emphasizes the diversity of the selection, whereas "various items" simply indicates multiple items without necessarily highlighting their differences.