a wonderful array

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wonderful array" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a diverse and impressive collection of items, ideas, or experiences. Example: "The festival featured a wonderful array of cultural performances, showcasing talents from around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

A wonderful array of strokes there.

The Guardian - Sport

"You've got electronic commerce and entertainment, you've got a wonderful array of portals".

The New York Times

There is a wonderful array of sherries and madeiras in cut-glass decanters accompanied by freshly baked hot cheese straws.

The New York Times - Travel

Earle Vandekar has a wonderful array of sailors' woolies, the wool embroideries of ships made by 19th-century seamen, mostly British.

The New York Times - Arts

Butcher also uses a wonderful array of other veg: peppers, chillies, cabbage, courgette, mushrooms, cucumber, broad beans, peas, olives, sugarsnaps, mangetout, sweetcorn, broccoli, spinach, carrot and celery.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There's an arsenal of tools and advice to implement behaviour change tactics, and a wonderful array of pilots, initiatives and examples to learn from.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

We meet in the Wellcome Trust Cafe before leaving in protest at the sadistically priced wine and inhospitable closing time, moving to the nearby Euston Tap to sample their wonderful array of thick, head-fuzzing ciders.

The Guardian

Although, with the wonderful array of expressions we can perceive and relay, and the minuscule differences we can spot in faces, "normal" seems a little modest.

Huffington Post

Continuing around the outer perimeter of the 'Emerald Isle', through Counties Wexford, Kilkenny with its wonderful array of Irish crafts and clothing, and Co. Waterford, home of the world class Irish crystal, on to Co. Cork where I visited Blarney Castle with its Blarney Stone which is said to impart the gift of gab to anyone with the fortitude to climb up to the top and kiss it.

Huffington Post

A little later, we strolled down the hill to inspect one of the most wonderful arrays of timber-framed 15th-century buildings in the world.

The Guardian - Arts

The separate lines (overdubbed here by Fresca) enter in succession and move gradually out of step with each other to create a wonderful, ever-changing array of melodic patterns, which Fresca manipulates with great sensitivity.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a wonderful array" to describe collections that are not only diverse but also pleasing or impressive in some way. For instance, "The garden featured a wonderful array of colorful flowers."

Common error

Avoid using "a wonderful array" for mundane or uninteresting collections. Save it for situations where the diversity truly enhances the subject. For instance, describing "a wonderful array of paperclips" would likely be inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wonderful array" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying a noun. It highlights the pleasing and diverse nature of the collection being described, as demonstrated by examples found by Ludwig. It characterizes the noun with positive attributes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wonderful array" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to describe a diverse and pleasing collection. As noted by Ludwig, its communicative function is to express admiration for variety. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to slightly formal register. To enhance writing, use this phrase when describing collections that are both diverse and impressive, avoiding overuse in mundane contexts. Alternative phrases like "a delightful assortment" or "an impressive selection" can offer stylistic variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a delightful assortment

Replaces 'wonderful' with 'delightful' and 'array' with 'assortment', softening the overall tone.

a splendid collection

Substitutes 'wonderful' with 'splendid', emphasizing elegance and richness.

an impressive selection

Replaces 'wonderful array' with 'impressive selection', focusing on the quality of choices.

a remarkable variety

Changes 'array' to 'variety', highlighting the diversity of items.

an outstanding range

Uses 'outstanding' instead of 'wonderful' and 'range' in place of 'array', suggesting a broad spectrum.

a marvelous compilation

Employs 'marvelous' and 'compilation', conveying admiration for a gathered collection.

a fantastic spectrum

Replaces 'array' with 'spectrum', implying a continuous range.

a beautiful display

Focuses on the visual appeal, replacing 'array' with 'display'.

an exquisite assortment

Combines 'exquisite' with 'assortment' for a touch of elegance.

a grand exhibition

Highlights the scale and impressiveness of the collection.

FAQs

How can I use "a wonderful array" in a sentence?

You can use "a wonderful array" to describe a diverse and impressive collection. For example, "The art gallery displayed "a wonderful array" of modern paintings".

What are some alternatives to saying "a wonderful array"?

Alternatives include "a delightful assortment", "an impressive selection", or "a remarkable variety" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a wonderful array" in formal writing?

Yes, "a wonderful array" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing something positive and diverse. However, consider alternatives like "a splendid collection" for a more sophisticated tone.

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

"A wonderful array" implies both diversity and a positive impression, while "a wide range" simply indicates diversity without necessarily implying appreciation or admiration. For instance, "The store offered "a wide range" of products", may not all be wonderful.