Is 'diverse range' a pleonastic phrase?












1















I am just curious as to whether 'diverse range' is pleonastic because a range implies that there are already different things, which implies diversity.



Is it redundant to modify 'range' with 'diverse' despite the fact that the range is already diverse? I've seen this phrase before. A simple online search reveals plenty of authors that have decided to use it in their writing.



Any answers are much appreciated.










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  • A "range" could be all flat grassland, with nary a distinguishing feature. Or it could include hills, a creekbed, several trees, some interesting fossils, and a alien spacecraft. One has "distinguishing features" and the other doesn't -- can you say which is which?

    – Hot Licks
    2 hours ago


















1















I am just curious as to whether 'diverse range' is pleonastic because a range implies that there are already different things, which implies diversity.



Is it redundant to modify 'range' with 'diverse' despite the fact that the range is already diverse? I've seen this phrase before. A simple online search reveals plenty of authors that have decided to use it in their writing.



Any answers are much appreciated.










share|improve this question























  • A "range" could be all flat grassland, with nary a distinguishing feature. Or it could include hills, a creekbed, several trees, some interesting fossils, and a alien spacecraft. One has "distinguishing features" and the other doesn't -- can you say which is which?

    – Hot Licks
    2 hours ago
















1












1








1








I am just curious as to whether 'diverse range' is pleonastic because a range implies that there are already different things, which implies diversity.



Is it redundant to modify 'range' with 'diverse' despite the fact that the range is already diverse? I've seen this phrase before. A simple online search reveals plenty of authors that have decided to use it in their writing.



Any answers are much appreciated.










share|improve this question














I am just curious as to whether 'diverse range' is pleonastic because a range implies that there are already different things, which implies diversity.



Is it redundant to modify 'range' with 'diverse' despite the fact that the range is already diverse? I've seen this phrase before. A simple online search reveals plenty of authors that have decided to use it in their writing.



Any answers are much appreciated.







phrases pleonasms






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asked 3 hours ago









TolgaTolga

544




544













  • A "range" could be all flat grassland, with nary a distinguishing feature. Or it could include hills, a creekbed, several trees, some interesting fossils, and a alien spacecraft. One has "distinguishing features" and the other doesn't -- can you say which is which?

    – Hot Licks
    2 hours ago





















  • A "range" could be all flat grassland, with nary a distinguishing feature. Or it could include hills, a creekbed, several trees, some interesting fossils, and a alien spacecraft. One has "distinguishing features" and the other doesn't -- can you say which is which?

    – Hot Licks
    2 hours ago



















A "range" could be all flat grassland, with nary a distinguishing feature. Or it could include hills, a creekbed, several trees, some interesting fossils, and a alien spacecraft. One has "distinguishing features" and the other doesn't -- can you say which is which?

– Hot Licks
2 hours ago







A "range" could be all flat grassland, with nary a distinguishing feature. Or it could include hills, a creekbed, several trees, some interesting fossils, and a alien spacecraft. One has "distinguishing features" and the other doesn't -- can you say which is which?

– Hot Licks
2 hours ago












3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















3














Diverse range isn't pleonastic.



This is a diverse range of colors:



blue, red, green, and purple paint strips
4 Vocabulary Ideas to Avoid Roadblocks



This is not a diverse range of colors:



grey white, brownish white, browner white, beige white, and some other white paint strips
Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige Exterior



In other words, "diverse" means a range with greater variance. It has nothing to do with the number of things in the range.






share|improve this answer































    1














    No, it's not, not innately.



    A "range" is very often linear (e.g., a range of numbers). What you get in such ranges is the same thing over and over again just in varying degrees along the line segment that constitutes the range.



    Saying "diverse range," one is making a point to indicate it is not such a range, that the range is non-linear. Imagine now instead of a range that is a line, a chart wherein there is an X-axis and a Y-axis. The range of points fall all over the page and not all in a straight line. That is the picture that "diverse" is painting before "range."



    Therefore, by using "diverse" to modify "range," one is not being redundant when the point is to indicate that it is not a range of sames but a range of differents, as it were, so, for example, if I have a "diverse range," my collection of things in that range isn't just 3°C through 88°C, which is a range, but also includes items not anywhere on that line, like an apple, an E# played on keyboard, and a smile from across the room.



    ADDITIONAL EXAMPLE:



    If a radio ad were to say a dealership has simply "a range" of automobiles, that could easily be construed as a single brand, as is often the case with car dealerships, and its linear range of cars from an economy subcompact through a luxury sedan. But if a radio ad were to say a "a diverse range" instead, it would more clearly intimate that the dealership sells cars and trucks of different brands—of various makes and models, not just a range of models of the same make.






    share|improve this answer





















    • 1





      I agree. Ring spanners, for example, come in a range of sizes but all the metric spanners in a given range differ only in size, not in material or appearance. Not only that but the spanners in a range aimed at the retail hobby market will be in a restricted range of sizes but the same manufacturer might well offer a professional range which will be more diverse both in size and style to cater for more applications.

      – BoldBen
      1 hour ago



















    0














    diverse range - a colocation Longman




    a diverse range (=a number of very different things) As in: During his career
    he has run a diverse range of businesses.






    share
























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      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes








      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      3














      Diverse range isn't pleonastic.



      This is a diverse range of colors:



      blue, red, green, and purple paint strips
      4 Vocabulary Ideas to Avoid Roadblocks



      This is not a diverse range of colors:



      grey white, brownish white, browner white, beige white, and some other white paint strips
      Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige Exterior



      In other words, "diverse" means a range with greater variance. It has nothing to do with the number of things in the range.






      share|improve this answer




























        3














        Diverse range isn't pleonastic.



        This is a diverse range of colors:



        blue, red, green, and purple paint strips
        4 Vocabulary Ideas to Avoid Roadblocks



        This is not a diverse range of colors:



        grey white, brownish white, browner white, beige white, and some other white paint strips
        Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige Exterior



        In other words, "diverse" means a range with greater variance. It has nothing to do with the number of things in the range.






        share|improve this answer


























          3












          3








          3







          Diverse range isn't pleonastic.



          This is a diverse range of colors:



          blue, red, green, and purple paint strips
          4 Vocabulary Ideas to Avoid Roadblocks



          This is not a diverse range of colors:



          grey white, brownish white, browner white, beige white, and some other white paint strips
          Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige Exterior



          In other words, "diverse" means a range with greater variance. It has nothing to do with the number of things in the range.






          share|improve this answer













          Diverse range isn't pleonastic.



          This is a diverse range of colors:



          blue, red, green, and purple paint strips
          4 Vocabulary Ideas to Avoid Roadblocks



          This is not a diverse range of colors:



          grey white, brownish white, browner white, beige white, and some other white paint strips
          Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige Exterior



          In other words, "diverse" means a range with greater variance. It has nothing to do with the number of things in the range.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 56 mins ago









          LaurelLaurel

          34.5k668119




          34.5k668119

























              1














              No, it's not, not innately.



              A "range" is very often linear (e.g., a range of numbers). What you get in such ranges is the same thing over and over again just in varying degrees along the line segment that constitutes the range.



              Saying "diverse range," one is making a point to indicate it is not such a range, that the range is non-linear. Imagine now instead of a range that is a line, a chart wherein there is an X-axis and a Y-axis. The range of points fall all over the page and not all in a straight line. That is the picture that "diverse" is painting before "range."



              Therefore, by using "diverse" to modify "range," one is not being redundant when the point is to indicate that it is not a range of sames but a range of differents, as it were, so, for example, if I have a "diverse range," my collection of things in that range isn't just 3°C through 88°C, which is a range, but also includes items not anywhere on that line, like an apple, an E# played on keyboard, and a smile from across the room.



              ADDITIONAL EXAMPLE:



              If a radio ad were to say a dealership has simply "a range" of automobiles, that could easily be construed as a single brand, as is often the case with car dealerships, and its linear range of cars from an economy subcompact through a luxury sedan. But if a radio ad were to say a "a diverse range" instead, it would more clearly intimate that the dealership sells cars and trucks of different brands—of various makes and models, not just a range of models of the same make.






              share|improve this answer





















              • 1





                I agree. Ring spanners, for example, come in a range of sizes but all the metric spanners in a given range differ only in size, not in material or appearance. Not only that but the spanners in a range aimed at the retail hobby market will be in a restricted range of sizes but the same manufacturer might well offer a professional range which will be more diverse both in size and style to cater for more applications.

                – BoldBen
                1 hour ago
















              1














              No, it's not, not innately.



              A "range" is very often linear (e.g., a range of numbers). What you get in such ranges is the same thing over and over again just in varying degrees along the line segment that constitutes the range.



              Saying "diverse range," one is making a point to indicate it is not such a range, that the range is non-linear. Imagine now instead of a range that is a line, a chart wherein there is an X-axis and a Y-axis. The range of points fall all over the page and not all in a straight line. That is the picture that "diverse" is painting before "range."



              Therefore, by using "diverse" to modify "range," one is not being redundant when the point is to indicate that it is not a range of sames but a range of differents, as it were, so, for example, if I have a "diverse range," my collection of things in that range isn't just 3°C through 88°C, which is a range, but also includes items not anywhere on that line, like an apple, an E# played on keyboard, and a smile from across the room.



              ADDITIONAL EXAMPLE:



              If a radio ad were to say a dealership has simply "a range" of automobiles, that could easily be construed as a single brand, as is often the case with car dealerships, and its linear range of cars from an economy subcompact through a luxury sedan. But if a radio ad were to say a "a diverse range" instead, it would more clearly intimate that the dealership sells cars and trucks of different brands—of various makes and models, not just a range of models of the same make.






              share|improve this answer





















              • 1





                I agree. Ring spanners, for example, come in a range of sizes but all the metric spanners in a given range differ only in size, not in material or appearance. Not only that but the spanners in a range aimed at the retail hobby market will be in a restricted range of sizes but the same manufacturer might well offer a professional range which will be more diverse both in size and style to cater for more applications.

                – BoldBen
                1 hour ago














              1












              1








              1







              No, it's not, not innately.



              A "range" is very often linear (e.g., a range of numbers). What you get in such ranges is the same thing over and over again just in varying degrees along the line segment that constitutes the range.



              Saying "diverse range," one is making a point to indicate it is not such a range, that the range is non-linear. Imagine now instead of a range that is a line, a chart wherein there is an X-axis and a Y-axis. The range of points fall all over the page and not all in a straight line. That is the picture that "diverse" is painting before "range."



              Therefore, by using "diverse" to modify "range," one is not being redundant when the point is to indicate that it is not a range of sames but a range of differents, as it were, so, for example, if I have a "diverse range," my collection of things in that range isn't just 3°C through 88°C, which is a range, but also includes items not anywhere on that line, like an apple, an E# played on keyboard, and a smile from across the room.



              ADDITIONAL EXAMPLE:



              If a radio ad were to say a dealership has simply "a range" of automobiles, that could easily be construed as a single brand, as is often the case with car dealerships, and its linear range of cars from an economy subcompact through a luxury sedan. But if a radio ad were to say a "a diverse range" instead, it would more clearly intimate that the dealership sells cars and trucks of different brands—of various makes and models, not just a range of models of the same make.






              share|improve this answer















              No, it's not, not innately.



              A "range" is very often linear (e.g., a range of numbers). What you get in such ranges is the same thing over and over again just in varying degrees along the line segment that constitutes the range.



              Saying "diverse range," one is making a point to indicate it is not such a range, that the range is non-linear. Imagine now instead of a range that is a line, a chart wherein there is an X-axis and a Y-axis. The range of points fall all over the page and not all in a straight line. That is the picture that "diverse" is painting before "range."



              Therefore, by using "diverse" to modify "range," one is not being redundant when the point is to indicate that it is not a range of sames but a range of differents, as it were, so, for example, if I have a "diverse range," my collection of things in that range isn't just 3°C through 88°C, which is a range, but also includes items not anywhere on that line, like an apple, an E# played on keyboard, and a smile from across the room.



              ADDITIONAL EXAMPLE:



              If a radio ad were to say a dealership has simply "a range" of automobiles, that could easily be construed as a single brand, as is often the case with car dealerships, and its linear range of cars from an economy subcompact through a luxury sedan. But if a radio ad were to say a "a diverse range" instead, it would more clearly intimate that the dealership sells cars and trucks of different brands—of various makes and models, not just a range of models of the same make.







              share|improve this answer














              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer








              edited 1 hour ago

























              answered 2 hours ago









              Benjamin HarmanBenjamin Harman

              4,92531438




              4,92531438








              • 1





                I agree. Ring spanners, for example, come in a range of sizes but all the metric spanners in a given range differ only in size, not in material or appearance. Not only that but the spanners in a range aimed at the retail hobby market will be in a restricted range of sizes but the same manufacturer might well offer a professional range which will be more diverse both in size and style to cater for more applications.

                – BoldBen
                1 hour ago














              • 1





                I agree. Ring spanners, for example, come in a range of sizes but all the metric spanners in a given range differ only in size, not in material or appearance. Not only that but the spanners in a range aimed at the retail hobby market will be in a restricted range of sizes but the same manufacturer might well offer a professional range which will be more diverse both in size and style to cater for more applications.

                – BoldBen
                1 hour ago








              1




              1





              I agree. Ring spanners, for example, come in a range of sizes but all the metric spanners in a given range differ only in size, not in material or appearance. Not only that but the spanners in a range aimed at the retail hobby market will be in a restricted range of sizes but the same manufacturer might well offer a professional range which will be more diverse both in size and style to cater for more applications.

              – BoldBen
              1 hour ago





              I agree. Ring spanners, for example, come in a range of sizes but all the metric spanners in a given range differ only in size, not in material or appearance. Not only that but the spanners in a range aimed at the retail hobby market will be in a restricted range of sizes but the same manufacturer might well offer a professional range which will be more diverse both in size and style to cater for more applications.

              – BoldBen
              1 hour ago











              0














              diverse range - a colocation Longman




              a diverse range (=a number of very different things) As in: During his career
              he has run a diverse range of businesses.






              share




























                0














                diverse range - a colocation Longman




                a diverse range (=a number of very different things) As in: During his career
                he has run a diverse range of businesses.






                share


























                  0












                  0








                  0







                  diverse range - a colocation Longman




                  a diverse range (=a number of very different things) As in: During his career
                  he has run a diverse range of businesses.






                  share













                  diverse range - a colocation Longman




                  a diverse range (=a number of very different things) As in: During his career
                  he has run a diverse range of businesses.







                  share











                  share


                  share










                  answered 6 mins ago









                  lbflbf

                  22.2k22575




                  22.2k22575






























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