an assortment of tools

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an assortment of tools" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a variety of different tools that are grouped together for a specific purpose. Example: "In the workshop, we have an assortment of tools available for all types of projects, from woodworking to metalworking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

He has already shipped an assortment of tools.

The New York Times

YouTube has created an assortment of tools for users and content creators to police its site.

The New York Times - Tech

In the last year or two, a pair of big rigs, three pickups and an assortment of tools have been stolen from him.

The New York Times

Visitors peered into glass cases holding delicate blue bowls from the 12th century, a bird-shaped oil burner, and an assortment of tools described as cutter, shaver, bayonet and chopper.

The New York Times

Models are now frequently built interactively using different components from large libraries in environments such as GPROMS, MAPLESIM, SIMULINK and an assortment of tools that use the Modelica language.

IFAC-PapersOnLine

"I have never seen a woman rolling cigars at an event like this," Joe Genovese, a 49-year-old electrician, said while puffing on one of the five-inch cigars that Ms. Pérez had rolled and cut to size using an assortment of tools.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Microsoft Paint is a drawing program that allows the user to create color images by using an assortment of painting tools like the pencil tool, the line tool, the rectangle tool, and the oval tool.

Cornell University

His walls are cluttered with an assortment of arcane tools and patched with posters of Stradivarii and Guarneris.

The New York Times - Arts

David's daughter, Margot, has gone missing, and he uses an assortment of digital tools and sites to try to find her.

The New York Times

Their kit is equally minimal: an assortment of hand tools, a halogen work light, and a few copies of the latest issue of Battery Vehicle Review to pass out to curious visitors.

MIT Technology Review

They uncovered an assortment of stone tools in a layer of sediment deposited on the cave floor 42,000 to 105,000 years ago.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an assortment of tools", ensure the context clearly indicates the purpose or application of the tools. This helps the reader understand why these particular tools are grouped together.

Common error

While acceptable, consider more precise or formal alternatives like "a range of instruments" or "a suite of implements" in highly formal or academic writing to enhance precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an assortment of tools" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig examples show it referring to physical implements and digital instruments alike. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an assortment of tools" is a noun phrase used to describe a collection of various tools, often diverse in type or function. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is correct and suitable for use in written English. While it finds use across varied contexts, it appears most frequently in news and media, and academia. Though its meaning is clear and easily understood, in more formal or specialized settings, writers may consider more precise terms like "range of instruments" or "suite of implements" to add clarity or technical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a variety of tools

Emphasizes the diverse nature of the tools.

a collection of tools

Highlights the act of gathering tools together.

a range of tools

Suggests a spectrum or scale of different tools.

a selection of tools

Implies a careful choice or curation of tools.

a set of tools

Focuses on the completeness or organized nature of the tools.

an array of tools

Suggests an organized and visually pleasing display of tools.

a toolkit

Refers to a specific collection of tools designed for a particular purpose.

a complement of tools

Indicates that the tools are necessary or essential for a task.

equipment

A more general term encompassing tools and other items needed for a specific activity.

implements

A formal term that can be used to refer to the tools.

FAQs

How can I use "an assortment of tools" in a sentence?

You can use "an assortment of tools" to describe a collection of various implements or instruments, for example: "The craftsman had "an assortment of tools" for woodworking".

What are some alternatives to "an assortment of tools"?

Alternatives include "a variety of tools", "a collection of tools", or "a range of tools", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "an assortment of tools" or "a variety of tools"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. "An assortment of tools" emphasizes the mixed nature of the collection, while "a variety of tools" highlights the diversity of the tools.

What kind of tools are typically included in "an assortment of tools"?

The specific tools included in "an assortment of tools" depend on the context. It could refer to anything from gardening implements to surgical instruments, as long as there's a diverse collection of implements designed for a specific purpose.