Myriad of vs. Myriad – Which is Correct?
The choice between “myriad of” and “myriad” often hinges on whether you’re using “myriad” as an adjective or a noun. While “myriad” can function as both, most modern style guides and grammarians prefer using “myriad” as an adjective directly preceding a noun, thus omitting “of” for conciseness and elegance.
Myriad of or Myriad – Which is Correct?
The core difference between “myriad of” and “myriad” lies in grammatical preference and conciseness rather than outright correctness. “Myriad” originated from Greek meaning “ten thousand,” and historically functioned primarily as a noun. Over time, it evolved to be commonly used as an adjective meaning “numerous” or “countless.” When used as an adjective (e.g., “myriad stars”), the word “of” is unnecessary and incorrect. When used as a noun, “myriad” can technically be followed by “of” (e.g., “a myriad of stars”), but this construction is often considered redundant or less formal, as “myriad” alone can convey the sense of “a great number of.”
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Think of “myriad” like other adjectives that express quantity, such as “many” or “numerous.” You wouldn’t say “many of problems” or “numerous of challenges.” Similarly, when “myriad” is acting as an adjective, you should directly follow it with the noun it modifies: “myriad problems,” “myriad challenges.” If you find yourself wanting to insert “of,” try rephrasing to use “myriad” as an adjective or consider if a different word like “a lot of” or “a number of” might be clearer.
| Word/Phrase | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myriad | Adjective / Noun | Countless; an extremely large number | Adjective: “Myriad possibilities unfolded.” Noun: “He faced a myriad of challenges.” (Less preferred) |
| Myriad of | Noun Phrase | A countless number of | “There were a myriad of stars in the sky.” (Grammatically acceptable, but often less preferred) |
How to Use Myriad
“Myriad” is a versatile word that can function as both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, it means “innumerable,” “countless,” or “extremely numerous,” and it directly modifies a noun without the need for “of.” This is its most common and generally preferred usage in modern English, often lending a more formal or literary tone. When used as a noun, “myriad” itself means “a countless number” or “a very great number.” While it can grammatically be followed by “of” (e.g., “a myriad of problems”), many stylists advise against this construction, preferring the adjectival use for conciseness.
Example 1 (Adjective): The scientist discovered myriad species previously unknown to humanity.
Example 2 (Adjective): She offered myriad reasons for her decision, each more compelling than the last.
Example 3 (Noun, less common standalone): The universe holds a myriad beyond our comprehension.
What are the different forms of Myriad?
“Myriad” primarily functions as an adjective or a noun. As an adjective, it does not have comparative or superlative forms (e.g., “more myriad”). As a noun, it can be pluralized to “myriads” to refer to multiple large, unspecified numbers, though this is less common than its singular use. For instance, “the myriads of stars” emphasizes the vastness by pluralizing the concept of “a myriad.”
Etymology of the word Myriad
The word “myriad” comes from the Ancient Greek word myrias (μυριάς), which literally meant “ten thousand.” It was often used to denote an indefinitely large number. This Greek root passed into Latin as myrias and then into Old French as myriade before entering English in the 16th century, initially retaining its noun form meaning “a countless number” or “ten thousand.” Its adjectival use became more widespread in the 19th century.
How to Use Myriad of
The phrase “myriad of” occurs when “myriad” is used as a noun, meaning “a very great number,” and is followed by the preposition “of” to introduce the items being counted. For example, “a myriad of stars.” While grammatically permissible and common in informal speech and some older texts, this construction is frequently considered redundant or wordy by many contemporary style guides. They argue that “myriad” alone, used as an adjective, conveys the same meaning more elegantly and concisely (e.g., “myriad stars”). However, it’s not strictly “incorrect” and can be found in various published works.
Example 1: There was a myriad of options available for the new software upgrade.
Example 2: The garden contained a myriad of colorful flowers, attracting many bees.
Example 3: Exploring the deep sea reveals a myriad of creatures never before seen.
What are the different forms of Myriad of?
“Myriad of” is a fixed noun phrase. The word “myriad” within this phrase can be pluralized to “myriads” in specific contexts, such as “the myriads of stars,” to emphasize multiple instances of countless numbers. However, the phrase itself doesn’t change forms in the way a verb or adjective might. It remains “a myriad of” or, less commonly, “myriads of.”
Etymology of the word Myriad of
The etymology of “myriad of” is directly tied to the noun form of “myriad,” originating from the Greek myrias meaning “ten thousand” or “an indefinitely large number.” The addition of “of” follows standard English noun phrase construction, where a noun expressing quantity (like “a lot,” “a number,” “a host”) is followed by “of” to specify what that quantity refers to. This usage reflects the older noun-centric role of “myriad” before its widespread adoption as an adjective.
Related Concepts
Understanding a few broader grammar concepts can help clarify the nuances of using “myriad” versus “myriad of.”
- Adjectives: Words that describe or modify nouns. When “myriad” functions as an adjective, it directly precedes the noun it describes (e.g., “myriad problems”), making “of” unnecessary.
- Noun Phrases: A group of words that functions as a noun in a sentence. “A myriad of [noun]” is a noun phrase where “myriad” acts as a noun within the phrase, followed by a prepositional phrase (“of [noun]”).
- Conciseness: The principle of conveying meaning using the fewest possible words. Many style guides advocate for using “myriad” as an adjective because it is more concise than the “myriad of” construction.
Examples from Media and Literature
- “The world is full of myriad wonders, both seen and unseen.” (Adjectival use)
- “He was beset by myriad concerns, each demanding his immediate attention.” (Adjectival use)
- “A myriad of small details contributed to the overall success of the project.” (Noun phrase, grammatically acceptable)
- “Exploring the ancient ruins revealed a myriad of historical artifacts.” (Noun phrase, commonly heard)
- “The sky at night offered myriad points of light, each a distant star.” (Adjectival use, preferred for conciseness)
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct word or phrase to complete the sentence, keeping conciseness and modern usage in mind.
- The internet offers a __________ ways to learn a new skill. (myriad / myriad of)
- She faced __________ challenges during her journey. (myriad / a myriad of)
- There were __________ reasons for their sudden departure. (myriad / a myriad of)
- The forest was home to __________ exotic creatures. (myriad / a myriad of)
- He presented __________ solutions to the complex problem. (myriad / a myriad of)
Answer Key
- myriad (or a myriad of, though myriad is more concise)
- myriad (or a myriad of, though myriad is more concise)
- myriad (or a myriad of, though myriad is more concise)
- myriad (or a myriad of, though myriad is more concise)
- myriad (or a myriad of, though myriad is more concise)
Myriad Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Innumerable | Too many to be counted. |
| Countless | Too many to be counted. |
| Numerous | Great in number; many. |
| Multitudinous | Very numerous; existing in great multitude. |
| Abundant | Existing or available in large quantities; plentiful. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “a myriad of” always incorrect?
No, “a myriad of” is not always incorrect. It is grammatically acceptable, especially when “myriad” is functioning as a noun meaning “a countless number.” However, many modern style guides and grammarians prefer the more concise adjectival use of “myriad” (e.g., “myriad problems” instead of “a myriad of problems”).
Question 2: Can “myriad” be pluralized?
Yes, “myriad” can be pluralized to “myriads,” particularly when referring to multiple instances of countless numbers or when emphasizing extreme vastness, as in “the myriads of stars.” This usage is less common than the singular “myriad.”
Question 3: Is “myriad” a formal word?
“Myriad” is generally considered a formal or literary word. It conveys a sense of great number or variety in a sophisticated way, making it suitable for academic writing, professional reports, or eloquent speech. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives like “many,” “numerous,” or “a lot of” are more common.
Conclusion
While “myriad” can function as both an adjective and a noun, and “a myriad of” is not technically incorrect, the most widely accepted and preferred usage in contemporary English is to employ “myriad” directly as an adjective (e.g., “myriad possibilities”). This approach is more concise, elegant, and aligns with modern grammatical preferences. When in doubt, opt for “myriad” without “of” to maintain a polished and professional tone.
Pro Tip: Using “myriad” as an adjective demonstrates precision and conciseness in your writing, qualities that enhance your professional reputation and clarity of communication.
