various items

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "various items" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a collection or assortment of different objects or products. Example: "The store offers various items, including clothing, electronics, and home goods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Various items made of rubber.

The Washington Post

E52, various items stolen, $3,140; Bldg.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

An elliptical exchange about the various items followed.

The New Yorker

Various items offered for sale are listed and catalogued.

The New Yorker

Various items including early writings of Walter Thabit.

Cornell University

He listened to family members tell stories about their loved ones and signed various items.

The New York Times

Full-color posters on the wall will also help you determine prices of the various items.

The New York Times - Travel

Quotes from the catalogue for the sale and tells what various items went for.

The New Yorker

He then held up various items, including a children's book with Bible lessons on flash cards.

The New York Times

This is the scorecard, explaining what the various items announced today cost.

The Guardian

As I bunched and crushed various items into the splayed bag, I activated my computer.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When listing "various items", be specific where possible to enhance clarity for the reader. For example, instead of "various items", consider "various kitchen items such as pots, pans, and utensils".

Common error

Avoid using "various items" as a placeholder when you can provide more descriptive details. Vague language can weaken your writing, so strive for precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "various items" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is commonly used to refer to a collection of different objects, without specifying each one individually.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

12%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

11%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "various items" is a common and versatile noun phrase used to refer to a collection of unspecified objects. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and general writing. While grammatically sound, it's important to consider whether more specific language would enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "several items" or "assorted items" may provide greater precision depending on the context. While generally neutral in register, clarity and specificity should guide its use in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

other items

Implies a distinction between items already mentioned and additional ones.

different items

Highlights the dissimilarity between items in the collection.

assorted items

Highlights the variety within the collection of items.

several items

Indicates a quantity of items, focusing on the number being more than a few.

diverse items

Stresses the heterogeneity and wide range of the items.

multiple items

Emphasizes the presence of more than one item, highlighting the quantity.

certain items

Specifies a selection of items, suggesting they have particular characteristics or importance.

respective items

Refers to items that belong to or are associated with specific individuals or categories.

sundry items

A more formal term for a miscellaneous collection of items.

multifarious items

A more emphatic way of saying "various items", indicating great diversity.

FAQs

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

You can use "various items" to refer to a collection of different things. For example, "The store sells "various items", including clothing, electronics, and home goods."

What are some alternatives to saying "various items"?

You can use alternatives like "several items", "assorted items", or "diverse items" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to list the items instead of saying "various items"?

In many cases, listing specific items provides greater clarity and specificity. However, ""various items"" is appropriate when a comprehensive list is unnecessary or impractical.

What does it mean to say that someone "stole various items"?

It means that the person stole multiple different things, but the specific items might not be known or relevant to the context. It indicates a theft of more than one thing, without specifying what they were.