take various shapes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take various shapes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that can appear in different forms or manifestations. Example: "The concept of love can take various shapes, from romantic affection to deep friendship."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Synthesis can take various shapes.

Nature

Depending on the information about the parameter variations and the modelling simplifications, the space spanned by the process transfer function can take various shapes.

Chemical Engineering Science

The traditional diamond-shaped paper kite may be the one most people are familiar with, but kites can be made of a range of materials, from silk to Mylar, she said, and take various shapes, from boxy to birdlike.

The New York Times

Magnetic domains in uniform layers with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) take various shapes (cylindrical, labyrinth, maze, dendritic) that indicate the lack of preferential direction within the plane of the layer (see, e.g., [1 4]).

Nanoscale Research Letters

Flickering forms and half-seen images shuffle into view and take various shapes, spilling into each other to form pools of static or towers of swirling glitches.

Vice

The beta model (Nssites 7) uses a β distribution of ω over sites: β (p, q), which, depending on the parameters p and q, can take various shapes in the interval (0,1).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Mentoring takes various shapes.

The Guardian

General studies takes various shapes.

The New York Times

When Jupiter impregnates some desirable mortal, he takes various shapes for the purpose, sometimes mineral, a cloud, a shower of gold, or sometimes animal, a bull, a swan, an eagle, a pigeon, an ant.

Independent

ALEC's cookie-cutter attacks on clean energy have taken various shapes in Ohio, North Carolina, Kansas and a dozen other states.

Huffington Post

As an aid in catching and holding onto the ball, it takes various shapes to meet the specific needs of different fielding positions.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take various shapes" to describe abstract concepts, physical objects, or processes that can manifest differently depending on the context. This phrase effectively conveys adaptability and versatility.

Common error

Avoid using "take various shapes" to describe something inherently static or unchanging. This phrase implies dynamism and transformation, so it's unsuitable for describing fixed attributes or unalterable objects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take various shapes" functions as a verb phrase. It typically describes the ability or tendency of something to manifest in different forms or appearances. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take various shapes" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to describe how something can manifest in different forms. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, from scientific discussions to news reports. While alternatives like "assume diverse forms" exist, "take various shapes" effectively conveys adaptability and dynamism. It's important to use this phrase in contexts where change and versatility are relevant, avoiding static or unchanging scenarios. Remember, the best usage is in scenarios where the subject actively "takes" on different shapes due to external or internal factors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assume diverse forms

Replaces "take" with "assume" and "various" with "diverse", emphasizing the act of adopting different forms.

manifest in multiple ways

Shifts the focus to how something appears or becomes evident in different manners.

exhibit a range of forms

Highlights the display of different forms, emphasizing variety.

present in different guises

Suggests a change in outward appearance or disguise.

come in assorted configurations

Focuses on the arrangement and structure of something that varies.

occur in several iterations

Emphasizes different versions or instances of something.

display varied appearances

Highlights the visual aspect of assuming different forms.

morph into numerous styles

Implies a transformation into different styles or patterns.

develop into different types

Focuses on the evolution or progression into distinct categories.

transform into diverse figures

Suggests a complete change into different forms or representations.

FAQs

How can I use "take various shapes" in a sentence?

Use "take various shapes" to describe how something can manifest or appear in different forms. For example, "The protests "take various forms", from peaceful marches to organized strikes."

What's a simpler alternative to "take various shapes"?

Simpler alternatives include "vary", "differ", or "change". However, "take various shapes" emphasizes the dynamic nature of assuming different forms, which these simpler words might not fully capture.

What does it mean when something "takes various shapes"?

It means that something is not fixed in a single form, but instead can manifest in different appearances or configurations, adapting to different situations or needs.

Is it better to say "take various shapes" or "assume different forms"?

"Take various shapes" and "assume different forms" are largely interchangeable. The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired tone. "Assume different forms" might sound slightly more formal.