a wide array of things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wide array of things" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a diverse range of items, topics, or options available in a particular context. Example: "The festival featured a wide array of things, from food stalls to live performances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Too often 'development' is a catch-all term for a wide array of things and that doesn't help us explain what we do and why we do it.

The Guardian

I spent the first half of my time there working with a wide array of things, mostly enterprise products – A/UX, Data Access Language, AppleShare, AppleSearch, 3270 and Token Ring.

The Guardian - Tech

Resources: Too often 'development' is a catch-all term for a wide array of things and that doesn't help us explain what we do and why we do it.

The Guardian

And I don't want to send a girl who needs to hear she's beautiful out into our culture – a culture that has such a narrow definition of that word "beautiful," and such a wide array of things to sell her so she can attempt to meet that definition.

The Washington Post

It could be starting a sandwich shop… it is a wide array of things.

TechCrunch

You can already do a wide array of things on your cell though most of us don't do much yet–and new offerings are exploding.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"It gives our subscribers a wider array of things to watch, all without hurting the branding," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

It gathered pace thanks to a French book, published last year, called Dîne Avec Une Fourchette: the idea of both being that if you only eat food with a fork, and prepared with a fork, you forgo the fattening, slippery delights of yoghurt, ice cream, butter et al (see forkitdiet.com for a wider array of things that aren't allowed to tickle your tines).

Independent

There are so many other things you can do, and once you realize there's a wider array of things to choose from and the kind of effort it will require, it makes it a lot easier to say, 'Yeah, okay, I'm really not in the mood to do anything for myself right now, but I'm happy to talk dirty to you, or get naked for you while you masturbate, or give you a quick handjob, or just lay by your side.'".

Vice

Click your way to the list in question, and you'll find an admirable number of recognized franchises thanks to reverse engineering, hackers have been able to use the Pokémon Mini to run a wide array of "playable" (some of these things are more tech demos than games proper) titles, and introduce emulation on other platforms.

Vice

The company had applied to trademark the phrase to commercialize a wide array of products and services, including many things that seemed to have little to do with the celebration, like poultry, Christmas stockings, gymnastic articles, computer software and non-medicated toiletries.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a wide array of things", ensure the context clearly indicates the type of things you are referring to. This avoids ambiguity and makes your writing more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "a wide array of things" as a generic placeholder. Replace it with more descriptive language that specifies what you are actually discussing.

Linguistic Context

Descriptive phrase. It functions as a modifier, describing a noun or noun phrase by indicating that it encompasses a large and diverse collection of items, concepts, or elements. Ludwig AI validates this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a wide array of things" is a versatile expression used to describe a diverse collection of items or elements. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and acceptability across various contexts. While alternatives like "a diverse range of items" or "a broad spectrum of objects" offer nuanced variations, the core meaning remains consistent: emphasizing variety and extensiveness. To enhance clarity, consider specifying the type of "things" being referenced and avoid overuse in generic contexts. With its neutral register and established presence in news, academic, and general media, "a wide array of things" is a reliable choice for conveying diversity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a diverse range of items

Replaces "array" with "range" and "things" with "items", emphasizing variety and specificity.

a broad spectrum of objects

Uses "spectrum" instead of "array" to suggest a continuous range and replaces "things" with "objects" for concreteness.

a varied collection of items

Emphasizes the collection aspect, using "varied" to highlight the diversity of items.

a multitude of elements

Replaces "wide" with "multitude" for emphasis and "things" with "elements" for a more technical feel.

a considerable assortment of goods

Focuses on tangible items using "assortment" and specifies them as "goods".

a vast selection of choices

Highlights the element of choice and uses "selection" to convey availability.

a comprehensive mix of subjects

Suitable when referring to topics or themes, using "mix" to suggest a blend.

an extensive assortment of materials

Focuses on materials, replacing "wide array" with "extensive assortment" for emphasis.

a rich tapestry of features

Employs a metaphorical expression, suggesting complexity and detail using "tapestry".

a panoply of options

Uses "panoply" to denote a complete or impressive collection of options.

FAQs

How can I use "a wide array of things" in a sentence?

You can use "a wide array of things" to describe a diverse collection or assortment, such as "The museum displayed "a wide array of artifacts" from different cultures".

What are some alternatives to "a wide array of things"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a diverse range of items", "a broad spectrum of objects", or "a varied collection of items", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a wider array of things"?

Yes, "a wider array of things" is grammatically correct and implies an even greater variety than "a wide array of things".

What's the difference between "a wide array of things" and "a wide range of things"?

While similar, "a wide range of things" often suggests a continuous spectrum or scale, whereas "a wide array of things" emphasizes diversity and variety within a collection.