plethora of things

USAGE SUMMARY

"plethora of things" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means a large or excessive amount of something. You can use it when describing a situation or object that has an overwhelming amount of different items or elements. Example: "The antique store was filled with a plethora of things, from delicate jewelry and vintage clothing to antique furniture and rare books."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"It was a plethora of things.

The New Yorker

There are tables lain out with objects, empty cubes outlined in wire, a plethora of things it would take too long to list.

The Guardian - Arts

The problem is with such a plethora of things to see it takes a very experienced eye to make any real discoveries; one seeks already-known artists.

Independent

The orbiting Cassini, meanwhile, made out "lakes, volcanoes, evidence of rain, things that could be glacial, you name it a plethora of things that looked like they came out of a textbook on Earth geomorphology".

The New Yorker

A plethora of things did not happen: there was no movement on immigration reform, nothing was done to improve the country's long-term fiscal outlook or to mend its crumbling roads and underperforming schools.

The Economist

A veritable plethora of things.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

We're also conserving Chinese forest, where there is a whole plethora of other things".

The Guardian

But so are a plethora of other things online - the far more extensive foreclosure of the public domain by virtue of laws on copyright, gambling, 'child safety', pornography.

The Guardian - Tech

He would hardly be the first director to be galvanized by a plethora of pretty things; there are moments in Josef von Sternberg's films with Marlene Dietrich when the battle for the limelight is waged between human beings and hats.

The New Yorker

"Oh I hope not… I would hope I have a plethora of interesting things to say other than 'Why do you scratch your nose like that?' and 'Did you have a strange relationship with your uncle when you were seven?'" These days, Riseborough is based in Boise, Idaho, where she lives with American artist Joe Appel in a bohemian haze, surrounded by other "artisans and poets".

The Guardian

From free museums and affordable public transportation to fresh Mediterranean cuisine and sultry beaches, there is a plethora of inexpensive things to do in and around the city.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase, ensure that the context justifies the use of a somewhat formal term. Consider whether a more straightforward alternative like "many" or "a lot of" might be more appropriate for the intended audience and tone.

Common error

Avoid using "plethora of things" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "lots of stuff" or "many things" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plethora of things" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. It denotes a large or excessive amount of various items or concepts. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples in news articles, blogs and scientific publications.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

21%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plethora of things" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that signifies a large quantity and variety of items or concepts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in news articles and scientific publications. While its register leans towards neutral to formal, it's crucial to consider simpler alternatives in casual settings. Avoid overusing it in informal contexts to maintain a natural tone. Some of the alternatives are ""wide array of items"", "abundance of objects", or "vast quantity of items".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wide array of items

Replaces "plethora" with "wide array" to focus on variety rather than abundance.

multitude of items

Emphasizes the numerous aspects while maintaining a formal tone with "multitude".

abundance of objects

Substitutes "things" with "objects" to narrow the focus, while keeping "abundance" as the central idea.

vast quantity of items

Uses "vast quantity" to emphasize the large amount, slightly shifting the focus from variety.

host of possibilities

Emphasizes the potential or future aspect of the numerous "things".

profusion of elements

Replaces "things" with "elements", suitable for more technical or abstract contexts.

wealth of choices

Highlights the positive aspect of having many options, framing it as a "wealth".

large collection of stuff

Replaces "plethora" with "large collection" and "things" with "stuff" to create a more informal tone.

cornucopia of options

Uses "cornucopia" for a richer, more figurative expression of abundance specifically for options.

assortment of goods

Specifies the type of "things" as "goods" to refer to merchandise or products.

FAQs

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

You can use "plethora of things" to describe a large variety or abundance of items. For instance, "The market offered a "wide array of items", including a "plethora of things" from local artisans".

What are some alternatives to "plethora of things"?

Alternatives to "plethora of things" include ""wide array of items"", "abundance of objects", or "vast quantity of items", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a plethora of thing" instead of "a plethora of things"?

No, it is not correct. "Plethora" is used with a plural noun. The correct phrase is "a plethora of things". The term refers to a large quantity of multiple items, therefore requiring the plural form.

What is the difference between "plethora of things" and "wide range of things"?

While both phrases indicate variety, "plethora of things" emphasizes a large quantity, while "wide range of things" focuses more on the diversity and scope of the items or concepts.