an expansive collection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an expansive collection" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large and diverse assortment of items, such as books, artworks, or any other grouped entities. Example: "The museum boasts an expansive collection of ancient artifacts from various cultures around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The Handbook of Microfinance showcases an expansive collection of works from leading academics and field practitioners.

Harvard University

Their messages are sometimes muddled but always emphatic, an expansive collection of homilies preaching compassion, self-reliance, forgiveness and revenge.

The New York Times

The CRC is an expansive collection of both print and electronic career-related resources, including members-only online databases.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Career Resource Center offers an expansive collection of both print and electronic career-related resources, including numerous online databases and information systems.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Utilizing a controller modeled after a guitar, Guitar Hero allows users to play an expansive collection of popular rock-and-roll songs by pressing buttons on their controller to match commands displayed on the screen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The library of the University of Nevada, Reno, has an expansive collection of books, while the Nevada State Library and Archives in Carson City is notable for its excellent collection of legal works.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The only thing lacking at the salad bar is an equally expansive collection of fresh fruits for dessert, but we made do with tiramisu and wished we hadn't tried the banana burrito, which was more burrito than banana and far too heavy as a last bite before leaving.

The New York Times

She felt that the Whitney had great art but limited research resources, and that Harvard had great research resources but a less expansive collection of modern art.

The New Yorker

In 1816, it became part of the university and today is most notable as home to the University of Tübingen Museum, a surprisingly expansive collection of mostly ancient art, best known for its ice age figurines, made locally from the ivory of mammoths and believed to be among the oldest examples of artwork ever found.

The New York Times - Travel

It's a pretty expansive collection for one wall.

Vice

As the album unfolds, you start to get a feel for David's willingness to stray from one kind of mood into a more expansive collection of songs.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing collections, use "an expansive collection" to convey not only the size but also the broad scope and variety of the items included. This is especially effective when highlighting the comprehensive nature of a museum's holdings or a library's resources.

Common error

Avoid pairing "expansive" with redundant adjectives like "large" or "extensive". Using phrases like "an expansive and large collection" can weaken the impact. Choose adjectives that add unique value and specificity to the description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an expansive collection" functions as a noun phrase, where "expansive" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "collection". It describes the nature and scope of the collection, highlighting its large size and wide variety as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an expansive collection" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe a wide range of items or resources. As noted by Ludwig AI, it functions as a noun phrase with an adjective modifying a noun, suitable for neutral to professional contexts such as academia, news, and general descriptive writing. While not as frequent as some other phrases, it effectively conveys the breadth and scope of a collection. To enhance your writing, consider avoiding redundant adjectives and using this phrase to highlight comprehensive and varied assortments. When alternatives are needed, phrases such as "a comprehensive assortment" or "a wide-ranging compilation" can be used depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comprehensive assortment

Emphasizes thoroughness and completeness in the range of items.

a wide-ranging compilation

Highlights the breadth and variety included in the collection.

a vast repository

Suggests a large quantity and storage aspect.

a considerable array

Focuses on the impressive number and arrangement of the items.

an extensive inventory

Implies a detailed listing and management of the items.

a sizable accumulation

Highlights the growth and gathered nature of the collection.

a generous selection

Emphasizes the abundance and variety offered.

a broad spectrum

Indicates a full range of different items or aspects.

a diverse assemblage

Focuses on the variety and mixture of elements within the collection.

a plentiful stock

Suggests a large and readily available supply of items.

FAQs

How can I use "an expansive collection" in a sentence?

Use "an expansive collection" to describe a wide range of items or resources. For example, "The library houses "an expansive collection" of historical documents".

What are some alternatives to "an expansive collection"?

You can use alternatives such as "a comprehensive assortment", "a wide-ranging compilation", or "a vast repository" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "a very expansive collection"?

While grammatically correct, adding "very" to "an expansive collection" may be redundant. "Expansive" already implies a great extent, so using alternatives like "extensive collection" or simply "expansive collection" is often more effective.

What's the difference between "an expansive collection" and "a comprehensive collection"?

"An expansive collection" emphasizes the breadth and scope of the items, while "a comprehensive collection" highlights the completeness and thoroughness of the items included. Choose the phrase that best reflects the key attribute you want to convey.