an array of departments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an array of departments" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a variety of different departments within an organization or institution. Example: "The university offers an array of departments, including engineering, humanities, and social sciences."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Originally started in 1997 through a grant awarded to Duke University Center for International & Global Studies DUCIGSS) by the Ford Foundation, for over two decades this program has supported graduate working groups across campus, each comprised of students from an array of departments, programs and professional schools who gather to discuss topics with a global focus.

Duke University

These individuals represented an array of departments and programs including but not limited to biological sciences, microbiology, plant biology, molecular pharmacology, radiology, pathology, biochemistry, proteomics, psychiatry, genetics, medicine, and hematology.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The START team is part of an array of department outreach services including mobile crisis teams and nearly 40 joint police-clinician patrol teams deployed in Los Angeles and across the county each day.

Huffington Post

With sexual abuse victims clamoring for Francis to take action against negligent bishops, the pope recently announced that an array of Vatican departments should keep bishops accountable.

The New York Times

The designation makes the Secret Service the leading security agency for the event and allows it to bring together resources -- from agents to radiation detectors to military equipment -- from an array of federal departments.

The New York Times

Now, workers in an array of city departments will have access to information about nearly half of the city's residents, including welfare and food stamp payments, child care vouchers, and records of Medicaid enrollment and stays in public housing and shelters, among other kinds of social service records.

The New York Times

"Treasury's War" chronicles an array of the department's enforcement efforts, from corralling informal Middle Eastern money-transfer networks useful to Al Qaeda to tracking Saddam's missing millions.

The New York Times

Moreover, there is a vast array of departments represented in the publications, ranging from the obvious biology and education departments to the Museum of Paleontology.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel St. 1 p.m. Examine historical maps on vellum and images gathered by drones and satellites that highlight current geospatial projects at the university, including the work of scholars from an array of schools and departments.

Yale University

Neither the Treasury nor the Cabinet Office have the faintest idea what a more effective array of departments would look like.

The Guardian

The exchange is based at HKUST's School of Science and Columbia students have access to an array of courses in the departments of life sciences, chemistry, math, and physics.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an array of departments", ensure that the context clearly indicates what these departments are responsible for or how they are related. This provides more informative value to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "an array of departments" when referring to only two or three departments. "Array" implies a substantial and diverse group. If you are talking about two or three departments, consider using terms like "a couple of departments" or "a few departments" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an array of departments" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes a group of departments, emphasizing their variety. Ludwig examples show its use in discussing organizational structures and inter-departmental collaborations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an array of departments" is a grammatically correct and usable way to describe a variety of departments within an organization. While not extremely common, according to Ludwig, it is found in academic, news, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the departments' roles and relationships, and avoid using it for very small groups of departments. Consider alternatives like "a range of departments" or "a variety of departments" to diversify your writing. Being precise about scale and scope will strengthen your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a range of departments

Replaces "array" with "range", suggesting a selection or spectrum of departments.

a variety of departments

Substitutes "array" with "variety", indicating a diverse group of departments.

a selection of departments

Uses "selection" instead of "array", implying a carefully chosen group of departments.

a collection of departments

Replaces "array" with "collection", suggesting a group of departments gathered together.

a multitude of departments

Emphasizes the large number of departments, using "multitude" instead of "array".

a host of departments

Uses "host" to convey a large and impressive number of departments.

a diverse set of departments

Highlights the diversity among the departments, replacing "array" with "diverse set".

multiple departments

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on the fact that there are several departments.

various departments

Indicates that different departments are involved, using "various" instead of "array".

several departments

Similar to "multiple departments", simply stating that there are a few departments.

FAQs

How can I use "an array of departments" in a sentence?

You can use "an array of departments" to describe a situation where multiple departments are involved in a project, or when discussing the organizational structure of a large institution. For example: "The success of the project depended on the collaboration of "a range of departments" within the university."

What can I say instead of "an array of departments"?

Alternatives include "a range of departments", "a variety of departments", or "multiple departments", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "an array of department" (singular)?

No, the correct usage is "an array of departments" (plural). "Array" refers to a collection of multiple entities, so the noun must be plural.

What is the difference between "an array of departments" and "a department of departments"?

"An array of departments" refers to a collection of different departments working together or being considered. The phrase "a department of departments" isn't commonly used and could imply a department specifically designed to oversee or manage other departments. Consider rephrasing the second one for clarity.