assorted things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assorted things" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a variety of different items or objects that are grouped together without specifying what they are. Example: "In the box, I found assorted things like old toys, books, and kitchen utensils."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The writer talks, about wedding ushers, theatre ushers and other assorted things.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, June 25 , 1927P. 14 The writer talks, about wedding ushers, theatre ushers and other assorted things.

The New Yorker

That feed is a random collection of events, information from acquaintances, news links, videos, photos, and other assorted things, including advertising.

The New Yorker

There were odd pieces of wood in my back yard — things like long planks with four-by-fours nailed to the ends of them so as to form a small table, and assorted things.

The New Yorker

These days that means an ambitious season of classical music, dance, jazz, world music and assorted things that defy classification, like the Flying Karamazov Brothers and the Peking Acrobats.

The New York Times

At the other end of the kinetic art gamut stands a host of rather more iffy artists, who have made assorted things that bang, clang, blink, spin, shimmy and shake.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In 1935 he wrote "Nothing is really typical of my efforts... I'm simply casting about for better ways to crystallise and capture certain strong impressions (involving the elements of time, the unknown, cause and effect, fear, scenic and architectural beauty, and other seemingly ill-assorted things) which persist in clamouring for expression".

BBC

My "Hamilton" obsession manifests itself in the 30/32A twofer, and there are assorted Broadway things in 55A and 78A, true to my latest musical kick.

The New York Times

(Genzlinger) 'BODY PARTherehere's some decent satire in this comedy by Ishmael Reed about drug companies, conservative talking heads and assorted other things, but the sheer number of targets makes it less sharp than it could be.

The New York Times

The sticker set includes a swoopy-banged person holding a rainbow aloft, a cute trans flag/heart situation and a rainbow megaphone for when you need to metaphorically shout assorted gay things from within your Instagram story.

TechCrunch

Writer of fiction, nonfiction, assorted good things that catch the eye.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "assorted things" when you want to indicate a variety of items without needing to list them specifically. This is particularly useful in descriptive writing or when the exact items are not important.

Common error

Avoid using "assorted things" excessively in formal or professional writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound vague. Instead, consider using more specific terms or phrases like "various items" or "diverse elements" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assorted things" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to a collection of unspecified items. Ludwig indicates that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "assorted things" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for referring to a variety of items without specifying them individually. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to slightly informal contexts. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "various items" or "diverse elements". It appears most frequently in news and media, reflecting its general applicability in describing diverse collections or situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

various items

Replaces "things" with "items", implying a more concrete collection.

mixed assortment

Combines "mixed" and "assortment" for emphasis, slightly redundant but reinforces the idea of variety.

miscellaneous items

Emphasizes the varied and uncategorized nature of the items.

sundry objects

Uses "sundry" to emphasize the diverse nature of the objects.

varied collection

Highlights the diversity within the collection.

mixed bag

An idiomatic expression implying a collection of diverse and sometimes unexpected items.

various elements

Uses "elements" to suggest components of a system or whole, slightly more formal.

diverse matters

Substitutes "things" with "matters", shifting the focus to abstract topics or concerns.

odds and ends

Refers to small, unimportant, or leftover items.

different stuff

A more informal way of saying "assorted things", using the colloquial term "stuff".

FAQs

How can I use "assorted things" in a sentence?

You can use "assorted things" to refer to a variety of items without specifying them, such as, "The box contained "assorted things" like old toys and books."

What can I say instead of "assorted things"?

You can use alternatives like "various items", "miscellaneous items", or "mixed bag" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "assorted things" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "assorted things" might sound informal. Consider using more precise language like "various elements" or "diverse components" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "assorted things" and "various items"?

"Assorted things" is a more general term, while "various items" implies a collection of distinct, countable objects. The choice depends on the level of specificity you want to convey.