a list of figures

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a list of figures" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in academic or technical writing to refer to a section that enumerates and describes figures, such as charts, graphs, or images included in a document. Example: "In the appendix, you will find a list of figures that illustrates the data presented in the report."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

There must be a Table of Contents, and if there are any figures, a List of Figures.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mr. Schwartz reeled off a list of figures appropriated thus far, which did indeed total more than $15 million.

The New York Times

Or if I had a List of figures, and I wanted to draw them on the display, I could say for-each, display on the screen this figure.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In this study, a holistic approach was used to evaluate the effect of the instrument parameters of a FT-NIR spectrometer on the performance of a content uniformity method with respect to a list of figures of merit.

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis

Go to the Barker Engineering Library and read theses similar to yours for good ideas about presentation, tone, etc. Develop a detailed outline with lots of notes, a list of figures, a reasonable format (there's no single correct format), bibliography.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The remaining preliminary pages may include a table of contents, a dedication, a list of figures, tables, symbols, illustrations, or photographs, a preface, your introduction, acknowledgments, and curriculum vitae.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I've provided a list of the figures for the top 30 firms on my blog LegalCheek.com.com

The Guardian

And after the couple were killed, investigators found that they had a list of mob figures' telephone and pager numbers, the official said.

The New York Times

Others speculated that it was devised to avoid sanctions imposed on him by the European Union, which included him on a list of 13 figures subject to a freeze on assets and a ban on travel to the bloc.

The New York Times

Mr. Jain's role, which emerged in a pretrial conference Friday, adds to a list of prominent figures from Wall Street and corporate America who could testify in the trial in Federal District Court in Manhattan.

The New York Times

The president is also on a list of 23 figures subject to an assets freeze and an EU travel ban.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Clearly label all figures mentioned in "a list of figures" for clarity.

Common error

Ensure that the figure numbers in the text match the figure numbers listed in "a list of figures" to avoid reader confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a list of figures" functions as a noun phrase that serves to identify and enumerate the figures (illustrations, charts, graphs, etc.) present within a document. Ludwig AI validates this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

43%

News & Media

36%

Science

21%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a list of figures" serves as an essential component in formal documents, particularly in academic, scientific, and technical fields. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and aims to guide readers through visuals. While less frequent than other documentation elements, this phrase is valuable for organizing and referencing illustrations. Alternatives like "catalog of figures" offer similar functionality, but "a list of figures" remains the standard choice in many contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a catalog of figures

Replaces "list" with "catalog", suggesting a more organized or comprehensive collection.

an index of figures

Substitutes "list" with "index", implying a structured and easily searchable compilation.

a compilation of figures

Replaces "list" with "compilation", highlighting the act of gathering figures together.

a registry of figures

Substitutes "list" with "registry", which can imply an official or formally maintained record.

a directory of figures

Replaces "list" with "directory", suggesting a more detailed and navigable collection.

a summary of figures

Changes the focus from enumeration to a concise overview of the figures.

a collection of figures

Replaces "list" with "collection", emphasizing the group of figures as a whole.

an inventory of figures

Substitutes "list" with "inventory", implying a complete enumeration of figures.

figures overview

A more concise phrase, omitting "a list of" and focusing on the subject.

figures directory

A more concise phrase, omitting "a list of" and focusing on the subject.

FAQs

When should I include "a list of figures" in a document?

Include "a list of figures" when your document contains multiple figures (illustrations, graphs, charts, etc.) to help readers easily locate specific visuals. It's particularly useful in lengthy reports, theses, and books.

Where does "a list of figures" typically appear in a document?

A "a list of figures" typically appears after the table of contents and before the main body of the document. It should be on its own page.

What information should be included in "a list of figures"?

Each entry in "a list of figures" should include the figure number, a descriptive caption, and the page number where the figure can be found. Ensure that the captions in the list exactly match the captions accompanying the figures in the document.

What are some alternatives to "a list of figures"?

While "a list of figures" is standard, you could use alternatives such as "catalog of figures" or "index of figures" depending on the level of detail and organization.