various copies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "various copies" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to multiple different versions or instances of a document, item, or piece of work. Example: "The artist created various copies of the original painting to sell at the gallery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

The work was documented in a tabloid insert slipped secretly into various copies of the Times and the Post.

The New Yorker

Polo also seems to have made emendations himself on various copies of the work during the last 20 years or so of his life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Differential Analyzer was a great success; it and various copies located at other laboratories were soon employed in solving diverse engineering and physics problems.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Economist asked Crédit Lyonnais to account for the various copies of the document and to confirm that all of these have been disclosed to American bank regulators.

The Economist

In the middle of February 1961 officers of the KGB presented me with a search warrant and seized from my home various copies and rough drafts of the manuscript of "Life and Fate".

The New Yorker

Along the way she is brainwashed by various copies of a certain cylon (whom she keeps killing), seems to die in an explosion in space, and then somehow turns up in a new ship with the directions to Earth.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

The various copy protection schemes impair the ability of consumers to do what is entirely lawful.

The New York Times - Tech

Each molecule consists of various copy numbers of the V3 CTL epitope on HIV-1 gp120 (one, two, four and eight copies).

Vaccine

Most of them are not aware of the fact that copy machines usually have various copy modes associated with different rendering techniques.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

The strategy presented may be useful as a general approach for construction of stable production strains synthesizing natural products where various copy numbers for different genes are concerned.

Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering

Of these, aCGH is highly useful to detect copy-number variations (CNVs) in the genome of individuals with apparently normal karyotypes [5,6], and MLPA can identify various copy-number alterations in specific disease-associated loci [7].

Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "various copies", ensure the context clearly indicates what the copies are of (e.g., documents, artworks, software) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "various copies" when the differences between the copies are negligible or irrelevant. In such cases, "multiple copies" or "several copies" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "various copies" functions as a noun phrase, where "various" is a determiner specifying that there are multiple instances of the noun "copies". According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "various copies" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase that indicates the presence of multiple instances of something, potentially with slight differences. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples across diverse contexts like News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias. While "various copies" is not as frequent as other similar phrases such as "multiple copies", it remains a valid and useful expression when you want to highlight the diversity or range within the copies. When using this phrase, ensure to specify what the copies are to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

multiple copies

Replaces "various" with "multiple", indicating more than one copy.

different copies

Substitutes "various" with "different", emphasizing the distinct nature of the copies.

several copies

Uses "several" instead of "various", suggesting a limited but unspecified number of copies.

assorted copies

Replaces "various" with "assorted", implying a collection of different types of copies.

numerous copies

Uses "numerous" in place of "various", indicating a large number of copies.

diverse copies

Replaces "various" with "diverse", highlighting the variety within the copies.

a range of copies

Uses "a range of" to indicate a spectrum of different copies.

a number of copies

Substitutes "various" with "a number of", indicating an unspecified quantity of copies.

a selection of copies

Replaces "various" with "a selection of", implying a curated collection of copies.

versions

Replaces "copies" with the word versions.

FAQs

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

You can use "various copies" to refer to multiple instances of something that may have slight differences. For instance, "The library has "various copies" of the first edition, each with its own unique history."

What can I say instead of "various copies"?

You can use alternatives like "multiple copies", "different copies", or "several copies" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "various copy" instead of "various copies"?

No, it is not correct. "Various" implies more than one, so it should be used with the plural noun "copies". "Various copy" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "various copies" and "multiple copies"?

"Multiple copies" simply indicates there are more than one copy. "Various copies" suggests there are different versions or slight variations among the copies.