various kinds of things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "various kinds of things" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a diverse range of items, concepts, or categories in a general sense. Example: "In the workshop, we will discuss various kinds of things related to environmental sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Improvisation asks for various kinds of things," he explained.

The New York Times

Most immediately, shi/fei distinctions seem to rest on social norms for distinguishing various kinds of things.

SEP

Butler observes that everyone, whether or not disabled, requires support for bodily activities from various kinds of things that are external to their bodies.

SEP

Instead, speakers are understood to communicate by mastering practices for distinguishing (bian) the referents of names for various kinds of things.

SEP

These fa include both exemplars of various kinds of things and methods for determining a thing's kind, and Xunzi thought that we often depend on these to draw distinctions correctly.

SEP

Any guidance provided by similarities between things or parallels between expressions must always be checked against our know-how concerning the "reasons" (gu, the grounds or criteria) for distinguishing the various kinds of things denoted by the terms we use.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

If you've never indulged in fondue, it's basically a meal where you take little bits of solid things and dunk them into various kinds of liquid things.

Huffington Post

"Failure would have badly weakened the president in terms of dealing with others — his ability to do various kinds of national security things.

The New York Times

They have talked about different things, various kinds of trade editions or a gift book sort of thing with much more illustration and far less text.

The New York Times

In 1132, Adam of Balsham, the founder of the important logical school of the "Parvipontani" (so called because they gathered at the Petit Pont in Paris), wrote an Art of Discussing (Ars disserendi), in which he treats, among other things, various kinds of yes/no questions, including "whether he speaks truly who says he lies" and "whether he who says nothing but that he lies is speaking the truth".

SEP

"We're just trying to cover operating expenses, it's all very standard: salaries, we have 16 staff that work at Snopes, various kinds of overhead, travel, that kind of thing.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "various kinds of things", ensure the context provides enough information or examples to give the reader a general understanding of what you're referring to. Avoid vagueness by adding specific details when possible.

Common error

Avoid using "various kinds of things" as a placeholder without any intention of specifying what those things are. This can lead to unclear communication and frustrate the reader. If you can't be specific, consider rephrasing to a more general category.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "various kinds of things" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a general placeholder for a diverse set of items or concepts. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a grammatically sound phrase for referring to undifferentiated objects.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "various kinds of things" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for indicating a diverse assortment of items or concepts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate across a range of contexts, though its informality makes it better suited for neutral or casual communication. While alternatives like "different sorts of items" or "diverse range of objects" exist, it's crucial to consider the context and aim for specificity whenever possible to avoid vagueness. Remember, this phrase is like a versatile tool in your writing toolkit—use it wisely to convey diversity without sacrificing clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

different sorts of items

Replaces "kinds" with "sorts" and "things" with "items", focusing on differentiation.

diverse range of objects

Substitutes "various" with "diverse" and "kinds of things" with "range of objects", emphasizing variety.

assorted types of items

Uses "assorted" instead of "various" and "types" in place of "kinds", suggesting a collection.

multiple categories of items

Replaces "various kinds" with "multiple categories", highlighting classification.

a variety of elements

Employs "a variety of" for "various kinds" and "elements" for "things", indicating a diverse set.

different classes of items

Uses "classes" instead of "kinds", emphasizing categorization.

several forms of objects

Replaces "various kinds" with "several forms", indicating multiplicity in shape or type.

numerous sorts of objects

Substitutes "various" with "numerous" and "things" with "objects", indicating a high quantity of items.

myriad types of elements

Uses "myriad" to replace "various" and "elements" instead of "things", suggesting a vast number.

wide array of aspects

Replaces "various kinds" with "wide array" and "things" with "aspects", shifting the focus to different facets.

FAQs

How can I use "various kinds of things" in a sentence?

Use "various kinds of things" when you want to refer to a diverse assortment of items or concepts without being fully specific. For example, "The store sells various kinds of things, from clothing to home goods."

What can I say instead of "various kinds of things"?

You can use alternatives like "different sorts of items", "diverse range of objects", or "assorted types of items" depending on the context.

Is it better to be specific instead of using "various kinds of things"?

In many cases, yes. Being specific provides clarity and avoids vagueness. However, "various kinds of things" can be useful when a general reference is sufficient or when listing all possibilities would be impractical.

When is it appropriate to use "various kinds of things"?

It's appropriate when you want to acknowledge a wide assortment without needing to list every item, or when the specific items are either irrelevant or understood from the context. For example, "The museum displays various kinds of things from ancient civilizations."