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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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a various combinations of

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a various combinations of" is not correct in English.
It should be "various combinations of" or "a variety of combinations of." You can use the corrected phrase when discussing different types or arrangements of items or elements. Example: "The recipe allows for various combinations of spices to enhance the flavor."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The complex signal transduction pathways resulting from the activation of GPCRs is in part orchestrated by an assorted population of G proteins, assembled from a various combinations of 20 Gα, 5 Gβ and 12 Gγ isoforms [ 2].

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Classification efficiency with a various combination of these parameters is shown in Table 3.

The term Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) first appeared in the literature in 1988 when the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention CDCC) described an illness of debilitating fatigue accompanied by a various combination of symptoms [ 1].

However, the restricted diffusion within ring-enhancing lesions is not pathognomonic for brain abscess, and a small number of glioblastomas may show restricted diffusion in the necrotic regions, probably resulting from a various combination of intratumoral hemorrhage, cytotoxic edema, or superimposed pyogenic infection [ 104, 105].

As a way to define the maximal severity of the disease, in our analysis, we initially calculated SPAX scores from patients in which both alleles were predicted to generate truncated sacsins (due to presence on both alleles of either a frameshift mutation or a stop mutation or a macrodeletion; for a description of various combinations of alleles, please see Supp. Table S6).

In this manner, it is possible to imagine, that during the whole life-cycle of a developing plant, various combinations of mechanisms can be used in an overlapping manner, with some more dominant than others during specific moments of development.

As a first step, we designed a search string that combined the various combinations of at least three of the five BRICS countries.

For many musical instruments, a musician depresses various combinations of keys in order to play the notes in the instrument's range.

Unlike a 3 × 3 design, which would have required a much larger sample size, the double 2 × 2 factorial study design did not permit a comparison of various combinations of all three interventions.

Light perception and light-mediated signaling, which are important for growth and development as well as survival and adaptation, are achieved by a single or various combinations of photoreceptors.

Then, through an iterative process, various combinations of components, methods and strategies are implemented/improved and tested.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to multiple combinations, omit the article "a" before "various". Use "various combinations of" for correct grammar.

Common error

Do not precede "various combinations of" with the article "a". This construction is grammatically incorrect and can detract from clarity. Use "various combinations of" instead.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

80%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a various combinations of" functions as a noun phrase intended to describe multiple possibilities or arrangements. However, according to Ludwig, it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "various combinations of".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a various combinations of" is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI states, the proper form is "various combinations of" or "a variety of combinations of". Although it appears in various sources, its incorrectness impacts its suitability for formal writing. When aiming to convey the concept of multiple arrangements, it's best to omit the article "a" before "various" to ensure grammatical accuracy. Consider alternatives like "different combinations of" or "multiple combinations of".

FAQs

Why is "a various combinations of" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "a various combinations of" is incorrect because "various" already implies more than one, making the indefinite article "a" unnecessary and grammatically redundant. The correct form is "various combinations of".

What are some alternatives to "a various combinations of"?

You can use alternatives like "various combinations of", "a variety of combinations of", or "different combinations of" depending on the context.

How does "various combinations of" differ from "a variety of combinations of"?

"Various combinations of" directly emphasizes the multiple and diverse nature of the combinations. "A variety of combinations of" also highlights diversity but may subtly suggest a broader spectrum or range of options.

Is it ever correct to use an article before "various" in similar phrases?

While "a various combinations of" is incorrect, using "a" before "variety" is correct. For example, "a variety of options" is grammatically sound because "variety" functions as a singular noun.

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