in different shapes and forms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in different shapes and forms" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that can exist in a variety of forms. For example, "Creativity takes on many different shapes and forms, from writing to painting to dancing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"You need to be able to target the pockets of consumers that exist in different shapes and forms in each of the communities," said Mr. Bowles, the retail consultant.

The New York Times

For those who would rather not feel locked in by a mobile platform, a range of existing and new platforms will be on the market in different shapes and forms.

TechCrunch

"Women come in different shapes and forms and we're all beautiful, and I'm beautiful".

Huffington Post

Throughout high school, I expressed this in different shapes and forms: dying the ends of my hair bright pink, wearing palazzo pants WAY before they became trendy and almost exclusively watching HBO.

Huffington Post

For this method, you're basically melting styrofoam in paint-thinner, creating a semi-hard plastic-type substance that you can use to mold in different shapes and forms.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The three characters capture your mind and you walk with them down the path to tragedy, tragedy that comes in different shapes and different forms.

Huffington Post

The Waters is an album that celebrates water in various different shapes and forms and from various different angles.

The Guardian

I can understand why people want to look at nice faces on film, but cinema has got to embrace humanity in all different shapes and forms.

The Guardian

I've done a lot of outreach over the past 15 years in many different shapes and forms – science festivals, working on exciting projects with underserved communities, making a laser harp for kids and helping them create their own science posters, and now I'm a producer for the Goggles Optional podcast.

Stanford University

But financial aid comes in many different shapes and forms and you need to understand what the financial aid counselor is talking about.

Huffington Post

Everything falls under the umbrella of "financial aid". But financial aid comes in many different shapes and forms and you need to understand what the financial aid counselor is talking about.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context supports the use of both 'shapes' and 'forms'. If only the external appearance matters, 'in different shapes' might suffice. If the internal structure is more relevant, 'in different forms' may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "in different shapes and forms" when describing something where the shapes and forms are essentially the same. For example, saying "water exists in different shapes and forms, like liquid, solid, and gas" is somewhat redundant, as the different states are already implied by 'forms'. Instead, use "water exists in different states".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in different shapes and forms" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe the manner in which something exists or manifests. As Ludwig AI says, it highlights the variety of appearances or structures.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in different shapes and forms" serves as an effective adverbial phrase, emphasizing the variety of appearances or structures something can take. As Ludwig AI clarifies, this phrase is correct and suitable for written English, highlighting its versatility in describing diverse manifestations. While it is grammatically sound and widely used, writers should be mindful of potential redundancies and choose the phrase that precisely matches the intended meaning. Sources such as Huffington Post, The New York Times, and TechCrunch frequently employ this expression, affirming its common usage across various contexts and demonstrating its place in common parlance. The phrase is used neutrally in different contents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in various forms

Focuses on the variety of forms something can take, omitting the explicit mention of shapes.

in diverse shapes

Emphasizes the diversity of shapes while omitting the explicit mention of forms.

in varied configurations

Uses a more technical term, 'configurations', to suggest different arrangements or structures.

in distinct formats

Highlights the variety of formats, which can include the layout and structure of something.

in multiple guises

Replaces 'shapes and forms' with 'guises', implying different appearances or presentations.

exhibiting various manifestations

Uses more formal language to describe different ways something can appear or occur.

under different appearances

Focuses on the outward appearance, suggesting a superficial change rather than a fundamental difference in shape or form.

taking different aspects

Shifts the focus to different aspects or features, rather than physical shapes and forms.

with diverse presentations

Highlights the diversity of presentations, focusing on how something is shown or displayed.

in assorted styles

Emphasizes the variety of styles, which may refer to the design or presentation of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "in different shapes and forms" to describe something that manifests in a variety of ways. For example, "Creativity can express itself in different shapes and forms, from painting to writing."

What's the difference between "in different shapes and forms" and "in different ways"?

"In different shapes and forms" refers to the physical or structural appearance of something, while "in different ways" refers to the manner or method in which something is done or expressed. Choose the phrase that best fits the context of your sentence.

Are there any synonyms for "in different shapes and forms"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "in various forms", "in diverse shapes", or "in varied configurations", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use both "shapes" and "forms" in the phrase "in different shapes and forms"?

While there is some overlap in meaning, "shapes" generally refers to the external appearance, while "forms" can refer to the internal structure or manifestation. Using both emphasizes the comprehensive variety of appearances and structures.