a wide range of things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wide range of things" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a variety of items, topics, or subjects in a general sense. Example: "The conference will cover a wide range of things, from technology to environmental issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a wide range of things.

Independent

There was a wide range of things.

The New York Times - Sports

You have many stakeholders, continuous challenges, and a wide range of things to think about.

Harvard Business Review

The second one is the Center for the Humanities, which covers a wide range of things.

Princeton University

"There is a wide range of things, from rails to bowls to a full-size pool".

The New York Times

There were a lot of galleries showing a wide range of things, with a wide range of artists.

The Guardian - Arts

"There were large numbers of complaints about service by the industry on a wide range of things".

The New York Times

In that class we learned a wide range of things from airport profiling to mass murders and the insanity defense.

Harvard University

They found big increases in professed trust in a wide range of things: government, the police, people of other races, neighbors and the local news media.

The New York Times

The grants are used for a wide range of things including affordable housing, playgrounds, and centers for children and the elderly.

The New York Times

Students led the discussion from the off, challenging our panellists on a wide range of things that they felt UK politics was getting wrong.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "things" with a more specific noun relevant to your context to increase clarity. For example, use "a wide range of topics", "a wide range of issues", or "a wide range of options".

Common error

Avoid using "a wide range of things" as a placeholder without providing any clarifying details. Instead, ensure you follow up with concrete examples or categories to give the reader a clearer understanding of what you're referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wide range of things" functions as a general descriptor, often serving as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI validates this, showing its use across various sentence structures to indicate variety or diversity. It refers to a collection of items, topics, or aspects without specifying each one individually.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wide range of things" is a versatile phrase used to indicate variety or diversity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently employed across various writing styles. While it serves as a useful general descriptor, following up with specific examples enhances clarity. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media, academic writing, and wikis, making it suitable for neutral to semi-formal contexts. Consider more specific alternatives like "a broad spectrum of items" or "a diverse array of topics" for increased precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a broad spectrum of items

Replaces "range" with "spectrum" and "things" with "items", emphasizing variety.

a diverse array of topics

Uses "diverse" instead of "wide" and "array" instead of "range", specifying "topics".

a multitude of aspects

Emphasizes a large number of "aspects" rather than general "things".

a varied assortment of items

Highlights the varied nature and the concept of an assortment.

a comprehensive collection of subjects

Stresses completeness and focuses on "subjects".

a host of different elements

Uses "host" to indicate abundance and specifies "elements".

a great variety of concerns

Emphasizes variety and focuses on "concerns".

an extensive selection of options

Highlights a large and varied choice of "options".

a wide scope of issues

Emphasizes the breadth of "issues" covered.

a number of considerations

Focuses on multiple factors to consider.

FAQs

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

You can use "a wide range of things" to refer to many different items, topics, or aspects within a particular context. For example, "The course covers "a wide range of things", including history, literature, and art".

What can I say instead of "a wide range of things"?

You can use alternatives like "a broad spectrum of items", "a diverse array of topics", or "a multitude of aspects" depending on the context.

Is it better to be specific instead of using "a wide range of things"?

In many cases, being more specific is better for clarity. Instead of "a wide range of things", consider using phrases like "a variety of issues", "a multitude of options", or "a diverse set of challenges" to provide a clearer picture of what you are discussing.

When is it appropriate to use "a wide range of things"?

It's appropriate when you want to indicate variety without listing every single item. It's often used as a general descriptor, but it is best followed by examples or categories for better understanding.