in different configurations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in different configurations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something can be arranged or set up in various ways. For example: "This piece of furniture can be used in different configurations depending on your needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The trick is that these toy robots are "smart," each with a different function, and when clicked together in different configurations, they behave differently.

Huffington Post

There are now 19 guest rooms in different configurations.

The New York Times - Travel

In WeLive buildings, the apartments come in different configurations.

The New Yorker

In fact, net lights ($5 to $10) come in different configurations for different purposes.

The New York Times

Certain pieces in the show are an amalgam of similar parts that appear, in different configurations, in others.

The New York Times - Arts

Other works by him meticulously recreate slabs of Styrofoam in bronze, twinned with wooden boards in different configurations.

The New York Times - Arts

Some teams even regularly rearranged their desks in different configurations to meet their evolving needs for collaboration or privacy.

Harvard Business Review

One room of this show is devoted to his marvellous material sculptures – poles and sheets in different configurations implying jousting tournaments, ships and pavilions.

The Guardian - Arts

(An experimental designer, Miyake, in the early 70's, played with the idea of clothes with detachable pieces that could be removed and reattached in different configurations).

The New York Times - Magazine

The track is a complex blend of 12 shorter track segments that can be combined in different configurations and can be run clockwise or counterclockwise.

The New York Times

On Friday night, sometimes all night, Phyllis would watch the oscilloscope, an EKG-like monitor for measuring electrical impulses, while Bob tried components in different configurations.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in different configurations" to emphasize the flexibility and adaptability of a particular design or setup. For example, "The software can be used in different configurations to suit various business needs."

Common error

Avoid using "in different configurations" simply to sound technical or sophisticated. Ensure that the varied setups you're describing genuinely offer distinct functionalities or benefits; otherwise, simpler phrasing may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in different configurations" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to describe the manner in which something is arranged or set up. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in different configurations" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is used to highlight the adaptability and flexibility of something that can be arranged or set up in multiple ways. Common in scientific, news, and academic contexts, it emphasizes the ability to customize or modify a system or object to meet diverse needs. Alternatives like "in various arrangements" or "with varying structures" can be used to convey similar meanings. Whether you're discussing furniture, software, or scientific experiments, using "in different configurations" effectively communicates the potential for diverse setups and applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in various arrangements

Emphasizes the act of arranging something in multiple ways, highlighting the variety of the setups.

with different arrangements

This highlights that the arrangement can be changed or is not fixed.

in diverse layouts

Focuses on the spatial arrangement of elements, suggesting a variety of designs or structures.

in alternative setups

Highlights the possibility of choosing from different settings or arrangements.

with varying structures

Focuses on the different ways something can be structured or built.

in multiple forms

Suggests that something can exist in several distinct shapes or types.

using different schemes

Highlights the use of various plans or systems.

under different settings

Emphasizes the environmental or contextual conditions in which something can exist.

in distinct formations

Highlights the unique arrangements or patterns that something can take.

in varied assemblies

Focuses on the different ways parts can be put together to form a whole.

FAQs

How can I use "in different configurations" in a sentence?

You can use "in different configurations" to describe something that can be arranged or set up in multiple ways. For instance, "The modular sofa can be arranged "in different configurations" to fit any living space."

What are some alternatives to "in different configurations"?

Alternatives include "in various arrangements", "in diverse layouts", or "with varying structures", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it better to say "in different configurations" or "with different configurations"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "in different configurations" is more common when describing how something is set up or arranged. "With different configurations" might be used when discussing the features or capabilities something has.

What does "in different configurations" imply about a product or system?

It implies that the product or system is flexible and adaptable, capable of being adjusted or arranged in multiple ways to suit different needs or situations.