various counties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "various counties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to multiple counties, often in the context of discussing geographical areas, demographics, or administrative divisions. Example: "The festival will feature participants from various counties across the state, showcasing their unique cultures and traditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

The authors compared the amount of rainfall – rainfall – in various counties against cable TV subscriptions and autism rates.

The Guardian

These places included many states in the South and various counties and townships scattered across the country.

The New Yorker

University cricket was a kind of nursery for county cricket i.e., matches between the various counties of England.

Encyclopedia Britannica

New York is creating more "Empire Zones," which are patches of land set aside in various counties where companies can locate nearly tax free.

The New York Times

(For a detailed explanation of the formula and a rundown of its impact on various counties, see this report from the Federal Housing Finance Administration).

The New York Times

Among the various counties, total mortgage taxes in Westchester and Rockland run 1.3 percent, while in Nassau, Suffolk, Dutchess, Orange and Putnam it's 1.05 percent.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Our pictures were escorted from London to Southampton with great formality by the various county police.

The New Yorker

Opposed were the Chamber of Commerce president, the college president, the mayor and various county elders.

The New York Times

But the pro-dry ramparts appear to be weakening, as indicated by close margins in various county votes.

The New York Times

Some of my running buddies went to prison, but I was more of a misdemeanant, spending hours — and every once in a while, days — in various county jails.

The New York Times - Magazine

She entered the primary field after the Essex County executive, Jim Treffinger, had already visited the various county chairmen seeking their endorsements, a crucial first step in any campaign.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "various counties", ensure the context clearly indicates which geographical region or administrative area you are referring to.

Common error

Avoid using "various counties" without providing enough context. Always ensure your audience understands which counties are being referenced, or the statement becomes too vague.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "various counties" functions as a determiner + noun phrase. It modifies a noun (understood contextually) to indicate that there are multiple counties under consideration. As confirmed by Ludwig, this construction is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

21%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "various counties" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to refer to multiple counties without listing them individually. Ludwig confirms its validity and frequent use in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure sufficient context is provided to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "different counties" or "several counties" can be used to add nuance. Always make sure that the specific counties are known by the audience when the information is critical to understand the full meaning of the sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

different counties

Replaces "various" with "different", emphasizing the distinct nature of the counties.

several counties

Substitutes "various" with "several", indicating more than two but not many counties.

multiple counties

Uses "multiple" instead of "various", highlighting the existence of more than one county.

a number of counties

Rephrases the concept using "a number of", implying an unspecified quantity of counties.

assorted counties

Employs "assorted" to suggest a diverse mix of counties.

sundry counties

Uses "sundry" to denote various counties, often implying diversity or miscellaneous selection.

the counties in question

Refers to specific counties previously mentioned or under consideration.

certain counties

Specifies that the counties are specific but not explicitly named.

respective counties

Emphasizes that each county is being considered individually in relation to something else.

diverse counties

Highlights the diversity among the group of counties.

FAQs

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

You can use "various counties" to refer to multiple counties in a general sense. For example, "The project will affect various counties in the state."

What is a good alternative to "various counties"?

Alternatives include "different counties", "several counties", or "multiple counties", depending on the context.

Is it better to list specific counties instead of using "various counties"?

Listing specific counties is preferable when the exact counties are relevant and known. Using "various counties" is appropriate when a general reference is sufficient or when the specific counties are not important.

What does "various counties" imply about the counties being referenced?

"Various counties" implies that there are multiple counties, but it doesn't necessarily indicate anything about their similarity or differences. For indicating differences or diversity, it is better to use "diverse counties".