assortment of items

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assortment of items" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a variety or collection of different products or objects. Example: "The store offers an impressive assortment of items, ranging from clothing to home decor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Surrounding him was an assortment of items: umbrellas, medicine balls, a retro-looking trailer, a slab of raw meat.

The New York Times

The contests include street races with a set course and scavenger hunts that require riders to search for an odd assortment of items.

The New York Times

It made sense, though: I was shopping in a city I never previously visited, at 9 45 p.m. on a weeknight, buying a random assortment of items.

The New York Times - Magazine

An assortment of items surrounding his bold drawings, which favor a palette of red, black and white, help to put his illustrations into context.

The New York Times

At Tara, the shelves offer a sad assortment of items that seem leftover from another age: checkered Irish walking caps, Celtic crosses and green neckties bedecked with little Irish flags.

The New York Times

Now, the retailer has technology and warehouse systems in place to offer a wider assortment of items in major categories, according to Francine Klein, executive vice president at Bloomingdale's.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Old distribution centers, built to ship pallets loaded with the same items to a finite number of stores, are ill-equipped to send small assortments of items to an infinite number of dispersed customers.

The New York Times

DollhouseCollectables.com has a fantastic assortment of holiday items.

The New York Times

The list also included a huge assortment of kitchen items, tools, saddles, four horses and eight cattle.

The New York Times - Sports

Aside from the obvious things, an assortment of strange items was on sale from cleaning fluids, to mops, water filters, stuffed toys and sausages... yes, sausages.

The Guardian - Opinion

Subject's Father was seen impulsively purchasing an assortment of improbable items – including decorative dried Pampas grass – and "throwing" [Subject] the goods into a shopping cart.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "assortment of items", ensure the context clarifies whether the items are related or a random mix. This enhances clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "assortment of items" when a simpler word like "things" or "products" suffices. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assortment of items" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English to denote a collection of different products or objects.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

16%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “assortment of items” is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that describes a collection of diverse objects or products. As Ludwig confirms, it is widely accepted in written English. While versatile, it's best to use it in contexts where highlighting the variety of things is important. In more casual settings, simpler words like “things” or “products” might be more appropriate. Key alternatives include “"variety of products"” and “collection of objects”, each with slight nuances in meaning. When incorporating this phrase in your writing, consider your audience and context to ensure optimal clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

variety of products

Focuses on the diversity of goods available.

selection of goods

Emphasizes the act of choosing from available merchandise.

range of articles

Highlights the spectrum of items present.

collection of objects

A more general term applicable to non-commercial settings.

array of things

Suggests an organized display or arrangement.

accumulation of stuff

Implies a less curated and possibly disorganized gathering.

mixture of elements

Focuses on the combination of components within a larger set.

inventory of merchandise

Specifically refers to items available for sale.

stock of commodities

Highlights commercially traded items.

hodgepodge of belongings

Emphasizes the diverse and possibly unrelated nature of the items.

FAQs

How can I use "assortment of items" in a sentence?

You can use "assortment of items" to describe a collection of different products or objects, like "The store offers an impressive "variety of products", ranging from clothing to home decor."

What are some alternatives to "assortment of items"?

You can use alternatives such as "selection of goods", "range of articles", or "collection of objects" depending on the context.

Is "assortment of items" formal or informal language?

"Assortment of items" is considered neutral to slightly formal. In very informal contexts, you might prefer simply using "things" or "stuff".

What's the difference between "assortment of items" and "variety of items"?

While both terms are similar, "assortment of items" generally suggests a carefully chosen or curated collection, while "variety of items" simply indicates a diverse range.