tray of slides

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tray of slides" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a physical tray that holds multiple slides, often in the context of presentations or photography. Example: "During the presentation, she carefully arranged the tray of slides to ensure a smooth flow of information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I can still see myself with my tray of slides, and getting the screen set up in someone's living room and telling them about Egypt.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

RapidFISH has a self-clamping slide tray design that maintains the required humidity; microscope slides in RapidFISH do not require coverslips to be glued, because the removable tray of the slide incubator traps moisture in the system.

Science Magazine

In the 1970s, Putman bought trays of Kodachrome slides at a garage sale in upstate New York.

The New York Times - Sports

If you use a pizza stone, place the pizza on the back of the tray to slide it on the stone easier.

WikiHow

You open the oven, take out the last tray of buns, and slide them onto the display counter.

The New York Times

So I'll set up a whole tray with slides of planes and clouds".

The New York Times

Inside the lab area, a little girl slipped out of the line to tinker with a tray of test tubes and slides.

The New Yorker

The segment of Camry drivers who confuse the gas pedal with the brake pedal — per the findings of the unintended acceleration investigation — may well assume that pressing the Apps button causes a tray of jalapeño poppers to slide out of the dashboard.

The New York Times

As if to prove a point, she slides a tray of hand-made French chocolates towards her and pops one in her mouth.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Just before they came out, I slid a tray of broccoli florets in the oven to crisp, tossed with oil and spices.

The New York Times - Food

While the chimp with the rope was chomping away, either the second chimp would slide the tray of food from it, or a researcher would take the food away and offer it to the chimp without the rope.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical presentations, use "tray of slides" to evoke a specific era before digital projectors became commonplace. This adds authenticity to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "tray of slides" when referring to digital presentations or software interfaces like PowerPoint. The phrase specifically refers to physical slides and their storage, not digital files.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tray of slides" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English, referring to a specific method of storing and presenting physical slides.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tray of slides" accurately describes a container for holding physical slides. Ludwig AI analysis and examples confirm that the phrase is valid and usable in English writing. The phrase evokes a specific, often historical, method of storing and presenting visual information, commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. While grammatically correct, the phrase's applicability is limited to situations involving physical slides and should not be used to refer to digital presentations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slides organized in a tray

Expands on the phrase to describe the arrangement more explicitly.

slide projector tray

More specific, indicating the tray's purpose for a slide projector.

collection of slides

Emphasizes the slides themselves, rather than the tray holding them.

group of slides

A more general term for multiple slides together.

batch of slides

Suggests the slides are processed or viewed together.

slide carousel

Focuses on the device used for projecting slides, rather than just the container.

stack of slides

Implies the slides are arranged vertically.

box of slides

Indicates a more general container, not necessarily designed for slides.

slide holder

Focuses on the object that keeps slides in place.

container of slides

Very general term for any receptacle holding slides.

FAQs

How can I use "tray of slides" in a sentence?

You might say, "He pulled out a "tray of slides" to show the audience his vacation photos" or "The professor brought a "tray of slides" for his lecture on ancient Egypt".

What's a more modern alternative to "tray of slides"?

In contemporary contexts, consider using "digital presentation", "slide deck", or simply "presentation" if you are referring to a digital format. If you are referring to physical slides consider "slide collection".

Is it correct to use "tray of slides" for digital images?

No, "tray of slides" specifically refers to a physical container holding photographic slides. For digital images, use terms like "image gallery", "photo album", or "digital slides".

What is the difference between "tray of slides" and "rack of slides"?

While both refer to holding slides, a "tray of slides" implies a flat, often removable container, while a "rack of slides" often refers to a more permanent or structured holding device, potentially with multiple levels.