in all shapes and forms

USAGE SUMMARY

'in all shapes and forms' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to emphasize the broad range of something or its complexity. For example: 'Our company has provided exceptional service in all shapes and forms for over 25 years.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Prejudice, in all shapes and forms.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I devoured crime fiction in all shapes and forms, but I'd never read anything quite like this.

The Guardian - Books

Women come in all shapes and forms and all of these things are on the same bar, and one is not more important than the other".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Like its practitioners, pole-dancing too comes in all shapes and forms: infused with ballet, jazz, Latin or belly-dancing, with the pole often replacing a partner.

The Guardian

She shapeshifts, but in all shapes and forms – she'll do whatever it takes to survive, be that stripping or sleeping with someone, becoming pregnant by a writer because she thinks that's glamorous, taking drugs, having an abortion.

The Guardian

Lessons would come in all shapes and forms.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

John Taylor said that "In all the shapes and forms of dogges; of all which there are but two sorts that are useful to man's profits, which two are the mastiffe and the little curre, whippet, or house-dogge; all the rest are for pleasure and recreation".

Wikipedia

Urban beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, but -- despite the undeniably stunning forms -- most cityscapes are drenched in a pretty limited color palette.

Huffington Post

Abseiling off the London Eye might sound scary, but it seems like performing in all its shapes and forms can have mental repercussions.

The Guardian

Personally, I love real breasts, in all their shapes and forms.

Vice

Despite it's uncanny look and quality, there's something that continues to inexplicably draw people to this strange and pliable substance in all its shapes and forms.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in all shapes and forms" to emphasize the comprehensive diversity or range of something you are describing. For instance, when discussing prejudice, state it exists "in all shapes and forms" to highlight its many manifestations.

Common error

Avoid using "in all shapes and forms" excessively in a single piece of writing. While it's a valid phrase, overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "in various guises" or "in diverse forms".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in all shapes and forms" functions as an adverbial modifier, adding emphasis to the diversity or variety of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, highlighting its role in expressing the comprehensive range of a concept or phenomenon.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in all shapes and forms" is a grammatically sound phrase used to underscore the comprehensive diversity or range of something. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it’s a correct and valuable tool in writing. Its frequency in news and media indicates broad applicability, though varying your phrasing with alternatives like "in diverse forms" or "in every conceivable form" can enhance your writing style. Remember to use it to truly emphasize variety, such as when describing prejudice or the many forms of art.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in diverse forms

A more concise way of expressing variety.

in every conceivable form

Emphasizes the exhaustiveness of the variety.

in every variation

Highlights the different versions or slight changes of something.

in all its manifestations

Highlights the different ways something can appear or be expressed.

in all its forms and sizes

Similar meaning but adds the concept of sizes as well.

in various guises

Focuses on the different appearances or disguises something might take.

in a multitude of ways

Stresses the great number of different ways.

in all manner of ways

Emphasizes the diversity of methods or approaches.

in complete variety

Focuses on the comprehensive nature of the variety.

under every possible description

Focuses on the different ways something can be categorized or portrayed.

FAQs

How can I use "in all shapes and forms" in a sentence?

You can use "in all shapes and forms" to emphasize the variety or diversity of something. For example, "Art comes "in all shapes and sizes" and "Prejudice exists "in every conceivable form"."

What phrases are similar to "in all shapes and forms"?

Similar phrases include "in various guises", "in diverse forms", and "in every conceivable form". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "in all shape and form" grammatically correct?

No, the correct phrase is "in all shapes and forms", with both 'shapes' and 'forms' in the plural.

What's the difference between "in all shapes and forms" and "in all shapes and sizes"?

"In all shapes and forms" emphasizes the different types or manifestations of something, while ""in all shapes and sizes"" refers to the physical dimensions or configurations of something.