Fine-Tuning 21, Myriad

Thanks for clarifying that, Roberta. Personally, "myriad" is a word I would prefer to see less often. It's a highfalutin way to say "many"...

I'll take it over panoply as a noun. Unless you're really suited up, of course.

Hi D'art, Agreed. Myriad is one of those words you're more likely to read or write than use in a conversation.

How about "plethora"?

I don't like A myriad OF -- ever. I think it should be used just like the words 'ten thousand' -- and you'd never say 'a ten thousand of ...'

Can anyone think of a sentence where the A and the OF are required for the sense of the sentence?

Roger and D'art--Panoply and plethora. I kinda like myriad.

Wy--The definition is also "a great number." There may be A LOT OF expressions that use A and OF, but this is the first one that came to mind. And there are A GREAT NUMBER OF examples, but this is the one I've selected. Here's the usage sample from Webster's: a myriad of ideas.

That's what I don't get: what's the difference between "myriad ideas" and "a myriad of ideas" except for two extra words (that I don't want there)?

Wy, I have no idea why these two words exist when one would do. I can hazard a guess. It's possible that so many people said "a myriad of" over such a long period of time that it became accepted usage. It wouldn't be the first time that mistakes became acceptable.

You're certainly right about that!

Hmmm. Might make an interesting thread. Things that used to be considered wrong are now no longer wrong. I will cogitate on this.