various sorts of things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "various sorts of things" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a diverse range of items, concepts, or categories in a general sense. Example: "In my workshop, I have various sorts of things, from tools to materials, that I use for different projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A many-sorted language is expressively equivalent to a single sorted one which has additional predicates for the various sorts of things.

SEP

And I realize you are a part of that political agenda, trying to push these various sorts of things.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

We have seen that there are various sorts of thing a narrow content could be: a description, a conceptual role, a function from contexts to broad contents, a diagonal proposition, or a set of maximal epistemic possibilities.

SEP

This could be interesting especially if we consider the Internet-of-Things and the various sorts of low resolution devices, and phishing attacks that might be launched.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

He got into "various sorts of trouble".

Science Magazine

Gay men build various sorts of intimacy.

Vice

However, pluralism says that various other sorts of things are intrinsically good, too.

SEP

And he was making various kinds of art himself: conceptual, ephemeral, trying-out sorts of things.

The New York Times - Arts

Amazon, for instance, isn't competitive on large containers of cleaning liquids of various sorts, since it's just too expensive to ship those sorts of things.

The New York Times

Those sorts of things.

The Guardian

People ask Seaward all sorts of things.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "various sorts of things", ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to understand the general nature of the items being referenced. Avoid overuse by replacing it with more specific descriptions when possible.

Common error

Avoid using "various sorts of things" when a more precise or descriptive phrase would provide greater clarity and impact. Overusing this phrase can make your writing seem lazy or imprecise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "various sorts of things" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a general term to refer to a collection or assortment of items, ideas, or entities. The phrase serves to indicate a diverse range without specifying individual elements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "various sorts of things" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to refer to a diverse range of items, concepts, or categories. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While its level of formality is generally neutral, it is appropriate for a wide array of contexts including news, science, and general discussions. To enhance clarity, consider replacing it with more specific terms when possible, and avoid overusing it to prevent vagueness in writing. Similar phrases include "a variety of items" and "different kinds of things". Overall, this phrase is a useful tool for general reference but should be employed thoughtfully to maintain precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a variety of items

Highlights that there's a selection or assortment of things.

different types of items

Focuses on the variety of items, emphasizing their differences in type rather than inherent characteristics.

different categories

Focuses on distinct groupings or classifications of items.

diverse kinds of objects

Emphasizes the diversity in kinds of objects being referred to.

assorted categories of goods

Highlights the goods being categorized into different assortments.

a range of options

Implies a selection from which to choose, more specific than general items.

miscellaneous objects

Suggests a collection of varied and unrelated objects.

a multitude of things

Stresses a large quantity of unspecified items.

sundry items

Indicates a collection of various, often small or insignificant, items.

various aspects

Highlights the different facets or perspectives of a topic or subject.

FAQs

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

You can use "various sorts of things" to refer to a general collection of items or ideas, such as, "The museum displays various sorts of things from ancient civilizations".

What phrases are similar to "various sorts of things"?

Similar phrases include "a variety of items", "different kinds of things", and "assorted categories".

Is it better to use "various sorts of things" or a more specific phrase?

In most cases, using a more specific phrase is preferable because it provides clearer information to the reader. However, "various sorts of things" is acceptable when a general reference is sufficient.

What's the difference between "various sorts of things" and "all kinds of things"?

While both phrases are similar, "various sorts of things" suggests a somewhat more curated or categorized collection, whereas "all kinds of things" implies a broader, potentially more random assortment.