range oil
A2Neutral/Technical
Definition
Meaning
A variety of things or the scope or limits within which something can vary.
A line or series of mountains or hills; a large cooking stove with burners and an oven; an area for practice shooting or testing; the distance over which something can be sent or can travel.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Range" can refer to both the full set of available options or products (a wide range of services) and the limits of that set (within the price range). In specific contexts, its meaning is highly specialized (e.g., a mountain range, a shooting range).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'range' for a cooking appliance is slightly more formal; 'cooker' is common. In American English, 'range' or 'stove' is standard. The phrase 'at close range' is more common in AmE, while 'from a range of...' is equally common in both.
Connotations
In business/marketing contexts, 'range' implies choice and variety. In geographical contexts, it suggests expanse and continuity.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties. The product/variety sense is extremely common in business and general language.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
a range of [something]range from X to Yrange over/across [topic/area]range against [target]be ranged in [order]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “at close range”
- “a long-range plan”
- “within firing range”
- “out of one's price range”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the set of products or services offered (e.g., 'Our product range meets diverse customer needs.').
Academic
Used to describe statistical spread, distribution, or the limits of a variable (e.g., 'The data points show a wide range of values.').
Everyday
Used for price, age, or choice (e.g., 'There's a great range of films on the streaming service.').
Technical
Specific meanings in geography (mountain range), mathematics (the set of output values), military (shooting range), and automotive (electric vehicle's driving range).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Prices range from £20 to over £200.
- The discussion ranged over many topics.
- The books were ranged neatly on the shelf.
American English
- Temperatures range from 30 to 90 degrees.
- His interests range widely.
- Troops were ranged against the enemy.
adjective
British English
- We offer free delivery for mid-range sofas.
- It was a long-range forecast.
American English
- She bought a mid-range smartphone.
- They discussed long-range economic plans.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The shop has a good range of fruit.
- The mountains are part of a large range.
- The hotel offers a wide range of activities for children.
- The age range of participants was 18 to 65.
- His research interests range from medieval history to modern politics.
- The new electric car has an impressive range of over 300 miles.
- Critics were ranged against the government's new policy from the outset.
- The study's findings fall within the predicted range of outcomes.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A mountain RANGE ARRANGES peaks in a line. A store's RANGE ARRANGES products for choice.
Conceptual Metaphor
VARIETY IS A PHYSICAL SPACE (e.g., 'a wide range of options' maps width onto quantity/choice).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'ранг' (rank) or 'ранжир' (line-up). The Russian 'диапазон' is closer for the 'scope/limits' sense. 'Ассортимент' is a good equivalent for the 'variety of products' sense.
- For the stove meaning, the Russian equivalent is 'плита' or 'кухонная плита'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'The range of his marks are good.' Correct: 'The range of his marks is good.' (subject-verb agreement with 'range')
- Incorrect: 'It ranges between 10 until 20.' Correct: 'It ranges from 10 to 20.'
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'The debate ranged over several complex issues,' what is the best meaning of 'ranged'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is primarily a countable noun (e.g., a range of mountains, several product ranges). However, in phrases like 'within range' it can be used uncountably.
They are often synonyms. 'Range' often emphasizes the extent from one limit to another (a price range), while 'variety' emphasizes diversity within a group (a variety of flavours).
The most common pattern is 'range from X to Y' to show variation between limits. It can also mean 'to roam or extend over' (His talk ranged over many subjects).
A product that is neither the cheapest nor the most expensive option available, representing the middle of a price and quality spectrum.