anthology

USAGE SUMMARY

"anthology" is a correct and usable word in written English.
An anthology is a collection of literary works, such as poems, stories, or plays. For example, "The Modern Poetry Anthology was an amazing collection of works by various authors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Refusing to adopt the traditional role of editor as de haut en bas authority, Hamilton has achieved something that feels not unlike a crowdsourced anthology.

The Guardian - Books

Two further collections and an anthology are particularly deserving of note.

The Guardian - Books

Trollope got involved with the festival after being asked to write a short story for Ox-Tales, an anthology published in conjunction with the event.

The Guardian - Books

4OD The third series of the psychological horror anthology began on Tuesday with the Gareth David-Lloyd-starring Payback.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I would honestly love to see another horror anthology show like The Twilight Zone.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Still with new voices, Dear World & Everyone in It: New Poetry in the UK edited by Nathan Hamilton (Bloodaxe) is an excellent anthology of work by 60 young poets, some already very familiar names, some less so.

The Guardian - Books

He has mixed children's verse with his adult work and most recently published an anthology, The Art of Wiring, featuring younger poets – including his new partner, the Irish writer Róisín Tierney, whom he met a couple of years ago.

The Guardian

The Penguin anthology The New Poetry and the successive slim volumes of the Penguin Modern Poets were our touchstones of taste and technique, for better or worse.

The Guardian - Books

For me this is more than mere personal affection, and I work closely with a number of others – writers Jenn Ashworth, Alison Moore, Emma Jane Unsworth and Tom Fletcher and artist Beth Ward – to publish a bespoke anthology of "Curious Tales" each year (this year's volume is Poor Souls' Light: Seven Curious Tales).

The Guardian - Books

A stolen videotape premise frames an above average anthology of found footage horror from rising indie directors.

The Guardian - Film

Imperfect though it may be, this anthology is important for the myriad voices it legitimises.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "anthology" to describe collections of various literary works, such as poems, short stories, or essays, especially when they are by different authors. This will help readers understand the scope and nature of the collection.

Common error

Avoid using "anthology" to describe a collection of works by a single author. While a collection of one author's works is still a valuable literary item, it is more accurately described as a "collected works" or a "selected works" instead of an "anthology".

Linguistic Context

The word "anthology" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a published collection of writings, typically poems, short stories, or excerpts. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing numerous examples where "anthology" serves as a noun, often modified by adjectives (e.g., "excellent anthology") or followed by prepositional phrases specifying the content or scope of the collection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "anthology" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun, primarily referring to a collection of literary works by various authors. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across a range of contexts, from news articles and academic papers to literary reviews. The term appears most commonly in "News & Media" and "Science", suggesting its relevance in both journalistic and scholarly discourse. While "anthology" is a versatile term, it's important to avoid using it to describe collections by a single author. Alternatives like "collection of writings" or "compilation of works" may be more appropriate in such cases. When using "anthology", it is helpful to acknowledge the editor when you refer to it. In general, according to Ludwig, the term "anthology" is a correct and usable word in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collection of writings

Focuses on the content being written material, broader than just literary works.

compilation of works

Highlights the act of compiling different pieces together.

assemblage of texts

Emphasizes the gathering of different textual pieces.

treasury of literature

Conveys a sense of value and importance of the collected literary pieces.

symposium of articles

Suggests a collection of articles, often on a specific theme or subject.

omnibus edition

Refers to a single volume containing previously published works, often by the same author.

album of selections

Implies a collection of chosen pieces, often musical or visual.

portfolio of creations

Highlights a set of creative works, such as art or design pieces.

cluster of stories

Focuses specifically on a group of narratives or tales.

corpus of writings

Suggests a substantial and comprehensive body of written works.

FAQs

How is an "anthology" different from a compilation?

While both terms refer to collections, an "anthology" typically contains works by different authors, whereas a "compilation" can include works by a single author or various sources on a common theme.

What types of works are commonly found in an "anthology"?

An "anthology" often includes poems, short stories, essays, and excerpts from novels or plays. The key is that it's a curated selection from various sources, showcasing a diverse range of literary expression.

Can an "anthology" focus on a specific theme or genre?

Yes, many "anthologies" are organized around a particular theme, genre, or historical period. For example, you might find an "anthology" of science fiction short stories or an "anthology" of poetry from the Romantic era.

What are some alternatives to calling something an "anthology"?

Depending on the context, you could use terms like "collection of writings", "compilation of works", or "assemblage of texts". The best choice depends on the specific nature and purpose of the collected material.