sorts of stuff

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sorts of stuff" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used informally to refer to various types or categories of things or materials. Example: "I have all sorts of stuff in my garage, from old furniture to gardening tools."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He likes all sorts of stuff.

The New York Times

There's all sorts of stuff going on.

The Guardian - Books

"He says all sorts of stuff.

The New York Times - Sports

He had all sorts of stuff going on.

Independent

You're going to see all sorts of stuff.

The New Yorker

"There's all sorts of stuff in there," he said.

The New York Times

You can actually sidle up to people and see all sorts of stuff.

The Economist

To demolish them would put all sorts of stuff into the water.

The New Yorker

They thought he was for all sorts of stuff he never was.

The New Yorker

Meanwhile, all sorts of stuff is going on in the background, and he misses it all.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I'd play all sorts of stuff things I didn't have in my collection.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sorts of stuff" in informal contexts when you want to refer to a variety of unspecified items or things. It's suitable for casual conversation and less formal writing. For formal writing, consider using more precise and descriptive language.

Common error

Avoid using "sorts of stuff" in formal or professional writing. Opt for more specific and descriptive alternatives like "various items", "different types of materials", or listing the specific items when possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sorts of stuff" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as a direct object or complement in a sentence. It refers to a collection of unspecified items or things. Ludwig examples show it's often used informally to describe a variety of items without being specific.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

27%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sorts of stuff" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase, especially in informal contexts, as affirmed by Ludwig. It serves as a convenient way to refer to a variety of unspecified items. While highly prevalent in news, media, and wiki content, it's less suited for formal or business environments where precision is favored. Remember to consider your audience and the formality of the situation when deciding whether to use "sorts of stuff" or more descriptive alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

various kinds of things

Replaces "sorts" with "kinds" and "stuff" with "things" offering a slightly more formal tone.

different types of items

Substitutes "sorts" with "types" and "stuff" with "items" emphasizing the variety and nature of the objects.

different kinds of things

A more formal equivalent using "different kinds" instead of "sorts of".

assorted materials

Replaces "stuff" with "materials", focusing on the composition of the items in question.

a variety of objects

Uses "variety" to highlight the range and replaces "stuff" with "objects" to specify tangible items.

miscellaneous things

Implies a collection of diverse and unrelated items, substituting "sorts of stuff" with a more descriptive term.

various items

Concise alternative using "various" to indicate diversity and replacing "stuff" with "items".

an array of items

Uses "array" to emphasize an organized or impressive display of different objects.

a range of things

Highlights the spectrum or extent of different objects or subjects.

a collection of items

Focuses on the gathering or accumulation of various objects.

FAQs

How can I use "sorts of stuff" in a sentence?

You can use "sorts of stuff" to refer to a variety of unspecified items. For example, "I have all "sorts of stuff" in my backpack, from books to snacks."

What can I say instead of "sorts of stuff"?

You can use alternatives like "various items", "different types of things", or "miscellaneous items" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "sorts of stuff" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "sorts of stuff" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's best to use more precise language such as "a variety of items" or "different kinds of things".

What's the difference between "sorts of stuff" and "things"?

"Sorts of stuff" implies a variety or range of items, while "things" is a more general term. Using "sorts of stuff" adds emphasis to the diversity of items being referred to compared to simply saying "things".