miscellaneous things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "miscellaneous things" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a variety of items or topics that do not fit into a specific category. Example: "In the box, you will find miscellaneous things such as old toys, books, and kitchen utensils."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

And that, and other miscellaneous things, I think motivated the adoption of the policy.

The New York Times

We are the only ones who know where miscellaneous things are filed and what the real names of other attorneys are.

The New York Times

In "Life in Dearth," a girl who lives in a seaside village likes to indulge in "borrowing" miscellaneous things from Gypsies who live by the shore; as her borrowing continues, she becomes more indebted, ultimately finding her life inexorably changed.

The New York Times - Books

Or other miscellaneous things (such as carriers).

TechCrunch

You've got your microSD for your phone, a miniSD adapter for what have you, and an SD adapter for cameras, camcorders, and miscellaneous things like my GP2X.

TechCrunch

Everyone talks about the crazy valuations that YC companies are getting these days, the uncapped notes, and other miscellaneous things we have not seen in previous years.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Set in the world of Jedrington Secret-Past, up-standing family man and owner of The Old Shop of Stuff, Victorian London's most successful purveyor of miscellaneous odd things.

BBC

"Every single time I've done this they'll have this huge box full of chargers and all kinds of miscellaneous plugged-in things," she said.

The New York Times - Travel

This is why we still include things like "miscellaneous", "rainy day funds", and "others", while planning for our projects.

HuffPost

They should consider four important "boxes," which are: location, the raising of capital, the formation of a viable business plan and miscellaneous, which includes such things as designing the stores and menus.

Los Angeles Times

Miscellaneous expenses may include such things as academic supplies, personal items, and recreation.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "miscellaneous things", ensure the context clearly indicates why these items are being grouped together. This avoids confusion and adds clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "miscellaneous things" excessively in formal writing. Opt for more specific or descriptive terms to enhance precision and professionalism. Consider "various items" or "assorted objects" as alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "miscellaneous things" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It denotes a collection of items that are varied and not easily categorized.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "miscellaneous things" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a varied collection of items. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it serves primarily to denote a general assortment without specifying each item individually. While versatile, its usage should be tailored to the context; more formal or scientific writing may benefit from more specific terminology. It appears most frequently in news and media, and wiki-style articles. Therefore, while the phrase is perfectly acceptable, careful consideration should be given to the level of formality required by the writing context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assorted items

Focuses on the variety within the collection of things.

an assortment of things

Stresses the act of assembling different items.

a variety of items

Like "assorted items", this focuses on the heterogeneous nature of the collection.

various objects

Emphasizes the distinct nature of each thing in the collection.

sundry items

More formal and implies a miscellaneous and often uninteresting collection.

unspecified items

Highlights the lack of specific identification of the things.

odds and ends

Refers to small, leftover, or unimportant items.

bits and pieces

Highlights the fragmented or incomplete nature of the things.

general merchandise

More appropriate for commercial contexts, referring to a range of goods.

random stuff

Informal and vague, suitable for casual conversation.

FAQs

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

You can use "miscellaneous things" to refer to a collection of varied items. For instance: "In the drawer, you'll find "assorted items", including pens, paperclips, and other "miscellaneous things"."

What's a more formal alternative to "miscellaneous things"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "various items", "assorted objects", or "sundry items" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it appropriate to use "miscellaneous things" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "miscellaneous things" might be too vague for academic writing. Aim for greater specificity by naming the items or grouping them into more defined categories.

What is the difference between "miscellaneous things" and "random stuff"?

"Miscellaneous things" is more formal and suggests a planned collection of different items, while "random stuff" is informal and implies a haphazard collection of "odds and ends".