plethora of animals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plethora of animals" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a large or excessive number of animals in a particular context, such as in discussions about biodiversity or wildlife. Example: "The wildlife reserve is home to a plethora of animals, including rare species that are not found anywhere else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Despite the lethal conditions, James Cameron's dive revealed a plethora of animals at the bottom of the ocean.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

There is not just one planet or one star; there are galaxies of all different sorts, a plethora of animal species, different kinds of plants, and different races and ethnic groups.

Huffington Post

However, although there is a plethora of animal studies, there are few good clinical studies comparing the available agents, and recent expert panels have been unable to recommend one drug over another [ 1].

Critical Care

The Humping USB Dogs became so popular 2 or 3 years ago that the maker, Japan-based Cube, not only started selling the silly things internationally but also added a plethora of other animals to the line-up.

TechCrunch

The internet, with its plethora of adorable animal videos, is basically one big homage to the critters inhabiting Planet Earth alongside us.

Vice

Modern society and global ecosystems are increasingly under threat from pathogens, which cause a plethora of human, animal, invertebrate and plant diseases.

FEMS Microbiology Reviews

Modern society and global ecosystems are increasingly under threat from bacterial, protozoan, fungal and nematode pathogens, which cause a plethora of human, animal, invertebrate and plant diseases (Furuya and Lowy 2006; Nordmann, Naas and Fortineau 2007; Brown et al. 2012; Fisher et al. 2012; Jones et al. 2013; Vanaerschot et al. 2013).

FEMS Microbiology Reviews

Despite a plethora of conflicting animal studies - some of which show overall increased kidney blood flow while others show overall decreased kidney blood flow [ 10, 13] - Langenberg and associates [ 13] found only three human studies that have directly measured renal blood flow in septic AKI by invasive hemodynamic measurements.

Critical Care

And of course there are now numerous smaller theropods known, it's not just multi-tonne giants but there are a plethora of much smaller animals and indeed they get smaller closer to the origin of birds.

The Guardian

These approaches, together with a plethora of transgenic knockout animal models of neurodegenerative disorders, offer real promise for a previously untreatable group of movement disorders.

Seminars in Pediatric Neurology

The Okavango surrounds travellers with a plethora of bird and animal life, but I was here seeking just one thing: big cats.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plethora of animals" to effectively convey a large quantity and diverse range of animals in a specific location or context. For instance, "The Amazon rainforest contains a "plethora of animals", many of which are yet to be discovered."

Common error

Avoid using "plethora of animals" in contexts where simpler terms like "many animals" or "lots of animals" would suffice. Overusing "plethora" can make your writing sound pretentious or unnatural. Reserve it for situations where you want to emphasize a truly impressive or overwhelming quantity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plethora of animals" functions as a noun phrase, where "plethora" acts as a noun adjunct modifying the noun "animals". It indicates a large and often excessive quantity of animals. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

58%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plethora of animals" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a large number and wide variety of animals. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, although simpler alternatives may be preferable in some cases. The phrase is commonly found in news and scientific publications, highlighting its versatility in conveying the abundance and diversity of animal life. When using the phrase, be mindful of the context and ensure that it effectively conveys the intended meaning of a rich and comprehensive animal population.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abundance of animals

Replaces "plethora" with "abundance", focusing on the large quantity of animals.

a wealth of animals

Substitutes "plethora" with "wealth", suggesting a rich and copious amount of animals.

an extensive collection of animals

Replaces "plethora" with "extensive collection", highlighting the comprehensive range of animals.

a great number of animals

Uses simpler language to convey the large quantity, replacing "plethora" with "great number".

a multitude of animals

Replaces "plethora" with "multitude", emphasizing the numerousness of animals.

a vast array of animals

Substitutes "plethora" with "vast array", stressing the wide variety and impressive display of animals.

numerous animal species

Focuses on the diversity of species rather than just the quantity of animals.

a wide variety of animals

Highlights the diversity within the animal population.

an assortment of animals

Emphasizes the different types of animals present, suggesting a varied collection.

a cornucopia of animals

Emphasizes the abundance and variety like a horn of plenty, is a more figurative expression.

FAQs

How can I use "plethora of animals" in a sentence?

You can use "plethora of animals" to describe a wide variety and large quantity of animals in a specific location or context. For example, "The zoo houses a "plethora of animals" from around the world."

What can I say instead of "plethora of animals"?

You can use alternatives like "abundance of animals", "wealth of animals", or "great number of animals" depending on the context.

Is "plethora of animals" formal or informal?

"Plethora of animals" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While "plethora" itself might sound slightly elevated, the phrase is widely understood and accepted in general usage.

What does "plethora of animals" imply?

"Plethora of animals" implies not only a large number of animals but also a rich variety and diversity within that group. It suggests a comprehensive collection or a wide assortment of different animal species.