various colleagues

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "various colleagues" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a diverse group of coworkers or associates in a professional context. Example: "I have discussed this project with various colleagues to gather different perspectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

I confided in various colleagues and tried to make a complaint.

The Guardian - Opinion

GP and writer Dr Phil Hammond asked various colleagues this question.

The Guardian

We thank various colleagues for comments on earlier drafts of this paper.

Nature

"There are many topics in nutrition in which various colleagues take polarised positions.

The Guardian

Both are working on communicating this to voters, officials and their various colleagues and allies.

The New York Times

He is tormented by his boss, Shrike (the equally first-rate Matthew Worth), various colleagues and barroom associates.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

It's agony to watch Pepperdine's character, the beleaguered consultant, attempt fruitlessly to endear herself to various male colleagues.

The Guardian - Opinion

The mess created by Jack Straw and his various ministerial colleagues and underlings includes being complicit in the torture of Mohammed Saad Iqbal Madni and another unknown prisoner rendered to torture through the British territory of Diego Garcia to Egypt, Afghanistan and ultimately Guantánamo Bay.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their heroes — the paranoid Rorschach, the shy Nite Owl II, the coldly post-human Dr. Manhattan and various other colleagues and rivals — were violent, ambivalent, treacherous and vain, even though they also seemed to be uniquely capable of saving the world from ultimate catastrophe.

The New York Times

The congregation was made up of various theatrical colleagues; J. Pitt Hardacre was his best man, and composer Leslie Stuart was the organist.

Wikipedia

He slept with a neighbor's wife, with a school teacher, with a flighty artist, with various work colleagues -- he's always chasing after someone he knows he can't truly have.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "various colleagues", ensure the context implies a genuine variety of individuals, not just a general reference to coworkers. Be specific if possible to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "various colleagues" as a vague substitute for a more precise description. If the specific roles or departments of these colleagues are relevant, mention them to provide more informative context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "various colleagues" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage. It refers to a group of people who work together, emphasizing their diversity or unspecified nature, as seen in the examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

29%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "various colleagues" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that serves to reference multiple individuals in a professional setting. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. It appears most frequently in news and media, science, and academic contexts. While the phrase is versatile, writers should aim to provide more specific details when possible to enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "several coworkers" or "multiple associates" can be used for slight variations in meaning or emphasis. Ensure the context implies a genuine variety of individuals and avoid using the phrase as a vague filler.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

several coworkers

Replaces "various" with "several", indicating more than two but not a large number of colleagues.

multiple associates

Substitutes "colleagues" with "associates" and "various" with "multiple", suggesting a number of professional connections.

numerous peers

Uses "peers" instead of "colleagues" and "numerous" for "various", emphasizing those at a similar level in the same field.

different collaborators

Replaces "colleagues" with "collaborators", implying a working relationship, and "various" with "different", highlighting diversity.

assorted teammates

Substitutes "colleagues" with "teammates", suggesting a shared goal, and "various" with "assorted", indicating a mix.

certain partners

Replaces "colleagues" with "partners", implying a closer working relationship, and "various" with "certain", suggesting specific individuals.

a number of associates

Rephrases the phrase to use "a number of" instead of "various" to describe the colleagues.

sundry collaborators

Uses the word "sundry" to highlight the diverse or varied nature of the collaborators.

diverse group of coworkers

This alternative describes the colleagues by highlighting they come from diverse backgrounds or departments.

some fellow workers

Replace "colleagues" with "fellow workers" but keeps the intention of defining group of people working toward a common goal.

FAQs

How can I use "various colleagues" in a sentence?

You can use "various colleagues" to indicate that you consulted with or received input from multiple coworkers. For example, "I discussed the proposal with various colleagues to gather feedback."

What's a good alternative to "various colleagues"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "several coworkers", "multiple associates", or "numerous peers".

Is it appropriate to use "various colleagues" in formal writing?

Yes, "various colleagues" is appropriate for formal writing. However, ensure that the context is clear and that a more specific description isn't necessary for clarity. Consider also other alternatives such as "different collaborators".

What does "various colleagues" imply about the people being referenced?

"Various colleagues" suggests a diverse or unspecified group of individuals you work with. It implies that there is more than one colleague, but the exact number or their specific roles are not being emphasized.