Meaning & use
items
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“items” is a form of “item”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
more than one single thing in a list, group, or collection.
Grammar: This is the plural form; the singular is 'item'. It takes a plural verb: the items are ready.
Patterns
- several items
- items on a list
- items for sale
Please check that all the items on the list are in the box.
The store sells household items like plates and towels.
Several items were missing from the shipment.
nounplural
more than one piece of news or one subject discussed separately.
Grammar: Often used for news reports or agenda points; singular 'item' for one.
Patterns
- news items
- agenda items
- an item on the agenda
The evening news covered several unusual items.
There are three items left on the meeting agenda.
The newspaper printed a short item about the festival.
Word forms
| singular | item |
|---|
Common combinations
- items on a list
- She crossed off the items on her shopping list.
- household items
- The charity shop accepts clean household items.
- items for sale
- All items for sale must have a price tag.
- personal items
- Please keep your personal items with you at all times.
- a few items
- I only need to buy a few items for dinner.
Synonyms and how they differ
- things
- More general and informal; 'items' sounds more organized or official, as in a list or inventory.
- articles
- Used for particular kinds of goods or written pieces, and it is more formal than 'items'.
Word family
- itemize verb
- To list things one by one.
- itemization noun
- A detailed list of individual things.
Commonly confused: items or item?
items vs item
The singular form. Use 'item' for one thing and 'items' for more than one: one item, two items.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
'Items' is plural, so it takes the plural verb 'are'. 'Items is' and 'items was' are wrong because the subject is plural; 'item are' mixes a singular noun with a plural verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “items”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.