a running item of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a running item of" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to refer to an ongoing or continuous topic or issue, but it is better to clarify the meaning. Example: "The meeting agenda included a running item of budget discussions that needed to be addressed regularly."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Enterprising players in South Korea and China have been running "item factories," where hundreds of computers are programmed to play the games without human users for the sole purpose of generating items for cash.

The New York Times

In typical Bloombergian fashion, City Hall prefers to showcase fine-print facts and figures, publishing a running tally of items distributed to residents: packs of new underwear, 8,788; cases of baby formula and diapers, 6,741; cases of soap, 928; "C" batteries, 15,830.

The New York Times

It keeps a running total of the items in shoppers' carts, offers digital coupons and receipts and lets people check out themselves and order items online if they are not available in the store.

The New York Times

Mr. Sawyer, whose restaurant's Web site includes a manifesto on "Sustainability Initiatives," bottles his own line of vinegars, including ones made from craft beer and rosé wine, and has a running stock of preserved items.

The New York Times - Food

Taken together, the item descriptions provide a running, cumulative portrait of one couple's glorious rise and deflating fall.

The New York Times

For this purpose we run item-by-item regressions of prices (measured as log deviations from the daily mean) on the fixed effects of supermarket chain and location, on the interaction between those effects, and on a time effect.

SERIEs

Mr. Hansen had warned the publisher of The Atascadero Gazette, Steve Martin, to stop running an item announcing the monthly meeting of the Parents and Friends of Gays and Lesbians, known locally as P Flag.

The New York Times

The Times suffered the humiliation of running this item on October 23 , 1925 A NEW SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL The School for Scandal, with Mrs. Insull as Lady Teazle, was produced at the Little Theatre last night.

The New Yorker

When a kitchen runs out of an item, it's 'eighty-sixed.' So if you prepped for 30 salmons and you receive orders for 30 salmons during the night, you shout, "86 salmon!" so everyone knows that the salmon is no longer available.

Huffington Post

On Wednesday, Matt Yglesias ran an item about a "consortium of national security contractors" that are "shopping a counter-WikiLeaks strategy".

Huffington Post

Also, Amazon does a better job delivering a new shipment just as the consumer is running out of an item than any subscription commerce company ever could.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a running item of", ensure the context clearly indicates ongoing or continuous nature, to prevent ambiguity. Consider alternative phrases if a more precise meaning is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "a running item of" excessively in formal writing. It can sound vague. Opt for more specific and descriptive alternatives like "an ongoing discussion" or "a recurring theme" to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a running item of" functions as a modifier to describe a topic or issue that is ongoing or continuously present. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in various contexts, such as budget discussions and news agendas.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

28%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a running item of" describes an ongoing or continuously present topic. While grammatically acceptable, it's not particularly common, and Ludwig AI suggests that more precise alternatives might improve clarity in formal writing. The phrase's usage spans neutral to formal contexts, with a notable presence in news, science and business. When choosing to use it, ensure that the context clearly conveys the intended meaning of something ongoing or continuously under consideration. The phrase may be replaced by "an ongoing matter of" or "a continuous topic of" for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an ongoing matter of

Replaces 'running' with 'ongoing' to emphasize the continuous nature of the item.

a continuous topic of

Substitutes 'item' with 'topic' and 'running' with 'continuous' to highlight the subject matter being discussed.

an established element of

Focuses on the established or standard nature of the item.

a recurring point in

Highlights the repetition of a particular point or subject.

a standing agenda item for

Specifically refers to an item that is always on the agenda.

a permanent fixture in

Emphasizes the lasting presence of the item.

a constant feature of

Highlights the consistent appearance or presence of the item.

a regular component of

Focuses on the item as a standard part of something.

an integral part of

Emphasizes that the item is essential and necessary.

an iterative aspect of

Highlights the repetitive nature of a particular aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "a running item of" in a sentence?

You can use "a running item of" to describe something that is continually present or under consideration, like "Budget revisions were a running item of discussion at every board meeting".

What are some alternatives to "a running item of"?

Consider using alternatives such as "an ongoing matter of", "a continuous topic of", or "a recurring point in", depending on the specific context.

Is "a running item of" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, the phrase "a running item of" is not the most standard form. It's better to ensure the context is clear or to use a more common alternative for better clarity.

When is it appropriate to use "a running item of"?

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize that something is consistently present or under discussion. However, be mindful of the clarity and conciseness of your writing; alternatives might be more suitable in formal contexts.