plethora of sources

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plethora of sources" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a large or excessive amount of something, typically referring to various options or resources. Example: "When researching for my essay, I found a plethora of sources on the topic of environmental sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But this information is available from a plethora of sources and formats – from government websites to university prospectuses and league tables.

The Guardian

They amassed their figures for urban populations from a plethora of sources, including censuses, traveller's accounts, tax rolls, gazetteers, disaster records, public bath rolls and archaeological records.

The Guardian

It is stored on the very left pane of the homescreen, and pulls posts from your social media accounts, information from your calendar and some of the built-in apps, as well as news and entertainment from a plethora of sources of your choosing.

The Guardian - Tech

Modern cities face a multitude of atmospheric pollution threats from a plethora of sources, including large industrial plants in the outskirts of the city, smaller production or processing units in industrial parks or even within the city, warehouses and storage facilities, and large underground networks of gas pipes that are particularly leaky and can release methane.

Environmental Systems Research

Inspired by a plethora of sources, Brendan shared what drives him to create such unique events: "I come from an entrepreneurial family, being my own boss has been imprinted on me from young age.

Vice

S. marcescens is an ubiquitous pathogen, whose complete eradication from the environment is often difficult: a plethora of sources of infection are reported, including healthcare workers hands, infected neonates and contaminated medical devices [ 1].

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

A word of caution is in order: there is a plethora of source material, and this entry is offered as a survey for organizing that material.

SEP

Now we have a plethora of information sources, most online, to help us make consumer decisions, including online sources that aggregate and combine opinions, reviews, public data and more.

Huffington Post

And the would-be entrepreneur has a plethora of other sources besides the often unhelpful banks from which to raise cash, such as crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending.

The Economist

Sister Wybourne's concerns lie elsewhere, mainly in the plethora of unreliable sources on the web.

TechCrunch

With the rise of the internet and a plethora of entertainment sources (such as iTunes and internet radio) Sirius and XM are competing with all the content providers.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "plethora of sources", ensure the context clearly indicates the topic or subject these sources pertain to, providing specific examples to illustrate the variety and depth of information available.

Common error

Avoid using "plethora of sources" when only a few sources are available. The term implies a significant and diverse collection, and misusing it can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plethora of sources" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a large and often excessive amount of information resources. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plethora of sources" is a valid phrase indicating a large number of available resources. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "many sources", it adds emphasis to the abundance or variety. As Ludwig's analysis shows, it frequently appears in news and scientific contexts and has a neutral register, suitable for diverse writing styles. Remember to ensure the context justifies using a term that implies a significant quantity of resources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abundance of sources

Focuses on the plentiful nature of the sources.

wealth of sources

Emphasizes the richness and value of the sources.

multitude of sources

Highlights the great number of sources available.

wide range of sources

Stresses the diversity and breadth of the sources.

large number of sources

Directly refers to the considerable quantity of sources.

extensive array of sources

Suggests a comprehensive and varied collection of sources.

ample supply of sources

Indicates a sufficient and readily available quantity of sources.

host of sources

Implies a large and impressive gathering of sources.

cornucopia of sources

Evokes an image of overflowing abundance and variety of sources.

profusion of sources

Emphasizes the extravagant and unrestrained quantity of sources.

FAQs

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

You can use "plethora of sources" to indicate a large amount of information available, such as, "The researcher consulted a "plethora of sources" to gather data for the study."

What are some alternatives to "plethora of sources"?

Alternatives include "abundance of sources", "wealth of sources", or "multitude of sources". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "a plethora of source" instead of "plethora of sources"?

No, it is incorrect. "Plethora" refers to a large quantity, so it should be followed by a plural noun, making ""plethora of sources"" the correct form.

What's the difference between "plethora of sources" and "variety of sources"?

"Plethora of sources" emphasizes the sheer number, while "variety of sources" highlights the diverse nature of the sources. The choice depends on whether you want to stress quantity or diversity.