of varying shapes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of varying shapes" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe objects, designs, or concepts that come in different forms or configurations. Example: "The artist created a sculpture composed of varying shapes, each representing a different emotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others are twirled into nests of varying shapes and sizes.

The New York Times - Food

Lot No. 14: Desks Nineteen wooden desks, of varying shapes and sizes, age and condition.

The New York Times

Each fixture measures about two feet, with Swarovski Austrian crystals of varying shapes and strands of varying lengths.

The New York Times

What I found was a stylish American menu, sophisticated food to match, beautifully plated on Japanese ceramics of varying shapes.

The New York Times

"Colorful Marbles of Imperial Rome" displays precisely that: marble, marble and more marble, of varying shapes, hues and applications.

The New York Times - Travel

In this case, that task is grasping clothing, shoes, and accessories of varying shapes in the company's warehouse.

MIT Technology Review

I got to review a dozen different brochure styles of varying shapes, folding parameters, and paper thickness.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Microsoft found people of varying shapes and sizes and recorded how they moved by monitoring 48 joints in their bodies.

The New York Times

A lush green field of huge curvilinear mounds of varying shapes and sizes conveys the sense of stepping into a page from a high school geometry textbook.

The New York Times - Travel

The brand is also opposed to fast fashion, only producing two collections a year, and uses models of varying shapes and sizes, from diverse backgrounds, and without Photoshop.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But, make no mistake, the signal is not that Tories in 21st century Britain value hard-working families of varying shapes and sizes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a collection of items, use "of varying shapes" to clearly indicate diversity in their forms. For example: "The artist used tiles of varying shapes to create a mosaic."

Common error

Avoid using "varying shapes" as a substitute for "of varying shapes". The latter correctly functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun, while the former incorrectly uses "varying" as a verb without a subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of varying shapes" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that the noun it describes exists in multiple forms or configurations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of varying shapes" is a grammatically correct and widely used prepositional phrase that indicates diversity in form. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for describing objects, designs, or concepts that come in different forms. It appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. For optimal usage, ensure that "of varying shapes" correctly modifies a noun and avoid misusing it as a verb. Alternative phrases like "in different shapes" or "with diverse forms" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples underscores the versatility and correctness of this phrase in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with a range of shapes

Focuses on the spectrum of shapes available.

featuring a variety of forms

Emphasizes the varied nature of the forms.

in different shapes

Emphasizes the difference in shape, less focus on the range.

with diverse forms

Replaces "shapes" with the more general "forms", indicating a wider variety of configurations.

exhibiting multiple forms

Highlights that there is many forms to display.

in assorted shapes

Highlights the variety of shapes, suggesting a collection of different forms.

presenting heterogeneous shapes

Indicates a non-uniform mixture of shapes, stressing the lack of uniformity.

displaying different contours

Uses "contours" to refer to the outline or form, emphasizing external appearance.

in differing geometries

Highlights mathematical aspect of shapes.

with various configurations

Focuses on the structure or arrangement of elements, implying complexity in form.

FAQs

How can I use "of varying shapes" in a sentence?

"Of varying shapes" is used to describe a collection or group of items that have different forms. For example, "The sculpture was made of stones "of varying shapes" and sizes".

What are some alternatives to "of varying shapes"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in different shapes", "with diverse forms", or "displaying different contours", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "varying shapes" instead of "of varying shapes"?

While "varying shapes" might be understood, it's grammatically more precise to use ""of varying shapes"" when you want to indicate that something consists of multiple different shapes. "Varying shapes" could be interpreted as shapes that are in the process of changing.

What is the difference between "of varying shapes" and "with different shapes"?

"Of varying shapes" emphasizes a range or assortment of shapes, while "with different shapes" simply indicates that multiple shapes exist. The former suggests a more diverse collection.