various

USAGE SUMMARY

'various' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there are a number of different items which are being referred to. For example: "The clothing store had various items on sale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Tech

Travel

Sports

Politics

Books

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That doesn't mean getting out of print, but it does require a greater focus of attention, imagination and resource on the various forms that digital future is likely to take".

The Guardian

"Osama was much better at placating the various wings of al-Qaida – the Yemenis, Somalis, north Africans.

The Guardian

Various people claiming to be former lieutenants have spoken out and last year a bunch of hacked emails described in detail how internet commenters in the small town of Ganzhou were instructed to guide conversations on the web.

The Guardian

Recent research from Sophos, in which Lyne travelled around various UK cities on a bicycle to test router security, found in some some areas more than a third had bad security practices.

The Guardian - Tech

To climb in this fashion a climber will hammer a peg (or "piton") into a crack, wedge chocks – pieces of metal of various sizes and shapes – into it or place a skyhook (a very small grappling hook) over flakes of rock and edges.

The Guardian

This town, which has suffered over various recessions, had real economic difficulties, deindustrialisation, in the seventies and eighties, hit us hard as a town.

The Guardian

Bin Laden and his senior associates have long struggled to make sure the disparate elements of the group and its various affiliated networks only attack targets they consider as legitimate.

The Guardian

A 45-year-old senior lecturer at Chelsea college of art and design, who did not wish to be named, said: "There was a free teach-in at 5 o'clock and various speakers came and talked about the consequences of the cuts on the arts and education.

The Guardian

Cruz acted for a while, worked with a shaman in Central America, and is currently focusing on various music projects in Brooklyn.

The Guardian - Music

It's basically a photo-customisation app with various Sharknado filters and stickers to use.

The Guardian - Tech

He told the Today programme: "I have to agree with a lot of what the home secretary said … A lot of the various scandals have damaged the image of policing … The federation needs to get on with the change agreed yesterday".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "various", ensure that the context makes it clear what items or aspects are being referred to. Providing specific examples can enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "various" as a vague placeholder. Always ensure the items or aspects you are referring to are either explicitly stated or easily inferred from the context. Vague usage diminishes the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The word "various" functions primarily as a determiner and adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that there are multiple, often different, items or aspects being referred to. As Ludwig AI confirms, this word is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Music

8%

Tech

6%

Less common in

Travel

4%

Sport

4%

Book

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "various" is a versatile word used to indicate multiplicity and diversity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and commonly used term in written English. It functions as both a determiner and adjective, suitable for a range of contexts, primarily in news and media as shown by Ludwig's examples. While "various" is widely accepted, it's essential to use it with clarity, ensuring the items or aspects being referenced are clear. Alternatives like "diverse", "assorted", and ""several"" can provide more precision depending on the context. Remember to avoid vague usage and provide context for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a variety of

Highlights the characteristic of variety among the elements.

diverse

Focuses on the distinct and different nature of the elements.

miscellaneous

Highlights the mixed and diverse nature of the elements.

assorted

Implies a collection of different items, often randomly selected.

a range of

Emphasizes the extent and scope of different elements.

manifold

Emphasizes the numerous and varied aspects of something.

different

Emphasizes the characteristic of difference among the elements.

multiple

Simply indicates more than one, without necessarily implying diversity.

several

Indicates a number greater than two, but not a large amount.

sundry

Suggests a miscellaneous collection of items.

FAQs

How can I use "various" in a sentence?

Use "various" to indicate that there are multiple items or options, such as, "The store sells "a variety of" products." or "There are "several" ways to approach the problem."

What words can I use instead of "various"?

You can use words like "diverse", "assorted", "multiple", or "miscellaneous" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "various of the"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "various of the" followed by a noun phrase, as in "You have broken "several" of the rules."

What's the difference between "various" and "different"?

"Various" implies multiple items or options, while "different" emphasizes the distinct nature of those items. You might say "There are "a number of" approaches", whereas "different" would highlight the uniqueness of each one.