any of these

USAGE SUMMARY

"any of these" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a group of things or people that have already been mentioned or are understood in context. For example: "We have several options for dinner tonight - fried rice, stir fry, or any of these takeout meals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Any of these?

The New Yorker

Not any of these people".

The New Yorker

Any of these were possible.

The New York Times

Would any of these things change comments?

The New York Times

Were any of these mentions paid for?

The New Yorker

Other theories behind any of these trends?

The New York Times

Any of these would reward leadership loyalists.

The Economist

None walked any of these elite halls.

The New York Times

Are any of these statements incorrect?

The New York Times

Obama seldom does any of these things.

The New Yorker

If only any of these men did.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "any of these", ensure the context clearly identifies the items you are referring to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "any of these" when the referent is unclear or hasn't been explicitly stated. Ensure the "these" has a clear and immediate antecedent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "any of these" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically acting as a quantifier. It indicates a selection (or the possibility of selection) from a previously identified group of items. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "any of these" is a versatile and grammatically sound determiner phrase used to refer to a selection from a defined group of items, as validated by Ludwig AI. Its neutral register allows for broad applicability, primarily in news, media, and general writing contexts. To ensure clarity, always make sure the referent of "these" is explicitly stated. Common alternatives include "any of the following" and "any of the mentioned". The phrase's high frequency and straightforward usage make it a valuable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

any of the mentioned

Replaces "these" with "the mentioned", emphasizing a prior reference.

any of the following

Substitutes "these" with "the following", indicating items listed subsequently.

any from this group

Replaces "these" with "this group", specifying a collective.

any of the above

Similar to "any of these", specifically referring to options listed previously.

one of these

Changes from plural "any" to singular "one", implying a selection of a single item.

some of these

Replaces "any" with "some", indicating a non-specific quantity.

any among these

Uses "among" instead of "of", slightly altering the prepositional phrase.

each of these

Shifts focus to individual items, rather than a collective selection.

all of these

Changes to include every item within the specified group.

a few of these

Indicates only a subset of items from the entire group are applicable.

FAQs

How can I use "any of these" in a sentence?

Use "any of these" when referring back to a set of items that have already been specified or implied. For example, "Are "any of these options" suitable for you?".

What's the difference between "any of these" and "any of those"?

"Any of these" typically refers to items that are nearby or immediately relevant, while "any of those" refers to items further away or in a different context. The choice depends on proximity and context.

Can I use "any of these" for singular items?

No, "any of these" is used for plural items. If you are referring to a single item, you would use something like "any of this" or "either of these" if there are only two options.

What can I say instead of "any of these"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "any of the following", "any of the above", or "any of the mentioned".