range/variety

Question

Hello,I am confused about "range" and "variety" (their use).1) There is a wide range of cars here.2) There are a wide range of cars here.3) A wide range of cars is available.4) A wide range of cars are available.5) There is a wide variety of cars here.6) There are a wide variety of cars here.7) A wide variety of cars is here .8) A wide variety of cars are here.Which ones are correct? I have just about exhausted the internet trying to get a definite answer but failed. I hope you can help! Thank you.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

englishnewbie"range" and "variety"

With all such constructions it is a matter of whether the agreement is with the head of the expression or the object of "of" (lots of cars; the rest of the cars; a number of cars; a variety of cars; the majority of cars; ...).

With "range of" the agreement is with the head "range". Thus,

There is a wide range of cars here.
A wide range of cars is available.

With "variety of" the agreement varies by speaker or writer. According to one study, two-thirds of cases make the agreement with the object of "of". Thus, more often than not,

There are a wide variety of cars here.
A wide variety of cars are here.

though the singular "is" is not unusual. I suspect "is" may be more common in the case of wide variety. A modifier (wide) can change preferences in the choice of agreement patterns.

CJ

Englishnewbie · Answer

Thank you SO much!!

range/variety

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