False Ranges

In this post we'll be talking about ranges, what they are, and how to avoid false ones.

Picture by Brett Jordan

What is a true range?

Before jumping into false ranges, let's define what a true range is. Merriam-Webster defines a range as "a sequence, series, or scale between limits" and "the limits of a series: the distance or extent between possible extremes."

I like to think of a range as a list of items contained in a defined or knowable set. To have a true range, we need a real start and end point and a set of items that fall in between. And our readers need to understand what that set is without us having to define it for them.

Here are some examples of true ranges:

• From A to Z

• From start to finish

• From east to west

• From winter to fall

• "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end" (Revelation 22:13, NIV)

How can a range be false?

A false range is a set of words that gives the impression of extremes, a beginning and end, or a link between items while leaving the reader to fill in what is contained in the unsaid middle. Although false ranges may be acceptable in casual writing, it's best to avoid them in formal writing.

Here are some examples of false ranges:

• From pumpkin pie to apple and everything in between

• From small indie features to full-length blockbusters

• From sidewalk chalk to crayons

• From luminaries to paper lanterns

• From rabbits to dogs

When separated from their sentences, false ranges become more obvious, but they are easy to incorporate into a written piece. For example, my family likes pie, a lot. In fact, my husband says he prefers pie over cake! We often make pie instead of cake for birthdays. So, I might write, "My husband loves pie. From pumpkin to apple and everything in between, he prefers pie over cake even on his birthday."

Picture by FitNish Media

First, we don't know the extremes of the set of pies. What pie should we start with? What pie should we end with? Secondly, are we talking about a set of pies that my husband has tried, or a set of pies that the reader has tried, or a set of all the possible pies in the world? The extent of the range is unclear and difficult to define. So we could call this a false range.

Why avoid false ranges in formal writing?

In formal writing, an author seeks to build trust and connection with the audience. Some readers will immediately identify a false range as sloppy, inaccurate, and imprecise. Other readers may not notice a false range, but they may subconsciously be affected by the more casual, less professional tone. Either way, the reader's sense of your expertise can be eroded.

How do we replace a false range?

How do we highlight a broad list of items without creating a false range or without defining all of the possibilities in the middle? Let's use the bulleted list of false ranges from above. Here are some ideas:

Use a participle phrase:

My husband is happy with any pie I've made, including apple, chocolate bourbon pecan, and cherry.

Encompassing small indie productions and full-feature blockbusters, our theater shows movies that appeal to the broad tastes of our patrons.

Use examples:

Materials such as sidewalk chalk, crayons, or finger paints are the perfect consumable gift for your budding artist.

Our online store covers all of your ambient lighting needs, with luminaries and lanterns being our best sellers.

I'll leave the last bullet point, from rabbits to dogs, for you to try out. Have fun!