numerous items

USAGE SUMMARY

"numerous items" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to describe a large, but indeterminate, number of objects. For example, "The store had numerous items on sale this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Roth wrote that numerous items had been stolen or damaged, including computers, turntables, amplifiers, guitars and other instruments.

The New York Times - Arts

Security guards at the store detained Ms. Ryder on Wednesday after she tried to steal "numerous items of clothing," Lt. Gary Gilmond said.

The New York Times

Probably somebody felt that way at Tucson Thanksgiving C45-120291, where the most numerous items in the garbage were paper plates (38) and cigarette filter tips (190).

The New York Times

Olive bread had been hollowed out and filled with numerous items – preserved artichoke, pesto, blue cheese, aubergine, rocket – every one absolutely hollering its flavour at me.

The Guardian - Travel

The McGuffin that Haghi seeks is a secret treaty with the Japanese, just one of numerous items Hitchcock borrowed from Lang during the following decade.

The Guardian - Film

Numerous items have been sold over the years, including her lipstick and leather sandals, her nose drops and an X-ray of her chest.

The Washington Post

Liversidge would send the gallery numerous items which Ms Giro would arrange at the back of the gallery on her 'postal shelf' however she saw fit.

Independent

Four people have been arrested after allegedly breaking into a Drumore Township, Pa., home at gunpoint, stealing cash and numerous items and shooting the resident Friday morning.

The New York Times

The Institute Archives and Special Collections contains numerous items from MIT presidencie,s including many of the personal and professional papers of Rogers.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The collection includes many testimonials on the New York intellectual life of the 1930s, and numerous items reflecting Columbia and Bard college life in the mid-century.

Columbia University

Numerous items from flasks and examination gloves to amino acids and enzymes are stocked on-site to allow for convenient on-site procurement.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "numerous items" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, consider your audience. In very formal contexts, more precise quantifiers might be preferable if the exact number is known or can be estimated.

Common error

Avoid pairing "numerous items" with overly broad categories. For example, instead of saying "The store sold numerous items of stuff", be more specific: "The store sold numerous items of clothing, electronics, and home goods".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "numerous items" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "numerous" modifies the noun "items". According to Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. It acts as a direct object, subject complement, or part of a prepositional phrase within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "numerous items" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a large quantity of objects, things, or articles. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English. It’s versatile enough for various contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. While generally clear, it's best practice to provide some context regarding the type of items being referenced for added clarity. When aiming for precision, consider more specific quantifiers if available. This expression is more commonly found in news and media, academic writing, and scientific publications. Alternative phrases include "a large number of objects", "many articles" and "various things".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large number of objects

Replaces "numerous" with "a large number of", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

many articles

Uses "many" as a direct synonym for "numerous", focusing on the quantity of articles.

a multitude of objects

Employs "multitude" to convey a great number, adding a slightly more formal tone.

various things

Substitutes "items" with "things" and "numerous" with "various", offering a more general term.

a plethora of things

Uses "plethora" to suggest an abundance, often with a positive connotation.

several objects

Replaces "numerous" with "several", indicating more than a few but not an overwhelming quantity.

a wide array of products

Specifies "products" instead of "items", suitable for commercial contexts, and uses "wide array" for variety.

assorted objects

Highlights the variety within the collection of items, using "assorted" instead of focusing solely on the quantity.

a host of goods

Replaces "items" with "goods", more common in business or historical contexts, and uses "host" to signify many.

quite a few things

Uses a more informal expression to indicate a considerable quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "numerous items" in a sentence?

You can use "numerous items" to describe a large quantity of things. For example: "The museum displayed numerous items from the Victorian era" or "The police recovered numerous items stolen from the local stores".

What are some alternatives to saying "numerous items"?

Alternatives to "numerous items" include phrases like "a large number of objects", "many articles", or "various things", depending on the context.

Is "numerous items" formal or informal?

"Numerous items" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, consider using more precise quantifiers if possible. For less formal writing, "quite a few things" might be appropriate.

What is the difference between "numerous items" and "assorted objects"?

"Numerous items" emphasizes quantity, while "assorted objects" highlights variety. Use "numerous items" when you want to stress that there are many things, and "assorted objects" when you want to emphasize that the things are different from each other.