an array of shades

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an array of shades" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a variety of colors or tones, often in contexts related to art, design, or fashion. Example: "The artist used an array of shades to create depth and dimension in the painting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

And, indeed, like rainbow sprinkles on a sundae, bright pastel shingles in an array of shades adorned the sides of grand old buildings -- many with turret-like bay windows and stately porticos -- on block after block.

The New York Times

Most hybrid types grow to be between 12 to 18 inches tall, with strong dark green leaves and big flowers in an array of shades so luminous that they look almost unreal in catalog pictures.

The New York Times

It also comes in an array of shades, including deeper and richer tones for women of color.

Huffington Post

This MAC gem comes in an array of shades, can be used on very dry or oily skin types and is flexible enough to provide light to medium coverage.

Huffington Post

This is achieved through bleaching your hair to a very light blonde, then using a toner to rid of the yellow tones and create an array of shades from white, silver, through to grey.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The smaller gourds come in an array of shapes and all the same colors that you find in the garden center: shades of yellow, orange, green and white, with some striped and bi-colored varieties thrown in for good measure.

The New York Times

Although we've had an array of darker shades for years now – thanks, mainly to MAC and Nars, but more recently Illamasqua, Laura Mercier and Sleek – it's really been the last year (since YSL launched their darker Touch Eclat shades in 2011 in fact) that the entire market for darker skins has shifted in our favour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We both come in a dazzling array of shades.

The Guardian - Opinion

In another striking work, Pink Foliage, intertwining vines and shrubs in an array of sumptuous garden shades illustrate her fondness for lush vegetation and botanical motifs.

Vice

In another striking work, 'Pink Foliage', intertwining vines and shrubs in an array of sumptuous garden shades illustrate her fondness for lush vegetation and botanical motifs.

Vice

It showed, within the chest, an array of hands, each shaded to indicate a more localized area of the palm or of specific fingers.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing visual elements, use "an array of shades" to convey a nuanced and comprehensive color palette, rather than simply stating the general colors present. This adds depth and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "an array of shades" when a simpler description of colors would suffice. For instance, instead of saying "The garden featured an array of shades of red, yellow, and orange", consider "The garden was filled with red, yellow, and orange flowers" for conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an array of shades" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a direct object or subject complement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It describes a collection or variety of colors or tones.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an array of shades" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a diverse collection of colors or tones. Ludwig AI confirms this, noting its usability in various contexts. While not extremely common, it effectively conveys visual richness and is suitable for both formal and informal communication. To enhance your writing, use this phrase when you want to specifically highlight the variety and nuances of color. Be mindful to avoid overuse in simple descriptions where simpler color terms would suffice. Consider related terms such as "a spectrum of hues" or "a range of tones" to further refine your descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a spectrum of hues

Replaces "array" with "spectrum" and "shades" with "hues", emphasizing the continuous range of colors.

a range of tones

Substitutes "shades" for "tones", highlighting the lightness or darkness variations.

a multitude of colors

Replaces "array" with "multitude" to denote a large number of colors.

a diverse palette

Emphasizes the variety of colors available, particularly in an artistic context.

a selection of tints

Focuses on the lighter variations of colors, using "tints" instead of "shades".

a collection of hues

Uses "collection" to represent the grouping and "hues" for specific colors.

various colorations

Highlights the different ways something can be colored.

assorted color variations

Focuses on how colors change, or differ in various forms.

an assortment of colors

Highlights how color can be grouped together.

a gradation of colors

The phrase shows how colors smoothly transition from one shade to another

FAQs

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

Use "an array of shades" to describe a variety of colors or tones, often in art, design, or fashion contexts. For example, "The sunset displayed "a spectrum of hues"."

What are some alternatives to saying "an array of shades"?

Alternatives include "a range of tones", "a multitude of colors", or "a diverse palette", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "an array of shades" or "an assortment of colors"?

Both are correct, but "an array of shades" implies a more organized and nuanced collection of colors, while "an assortment of colors" simply indicates a varied group. Choose based on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Can "an array of shades" be used to describe non-visual things?

While primarily used for visual descriptions, "an array of" can be used more broadly to describe a variety of something. However, "shades" specifically refers to colors or tones, so ensure the extension is logical; consider alternatives if describing non-visual variety.