a sequence of items

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sequence of items" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a list or arrangement of objects, events, or concepts that follow a specific order. Example: "The recipe requires a sequence of items, including flour, sugar, and eggs, to create the perfect cake."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

One of the toughest tests was Card Shark, a version of the classic n-back test, whereby the subject is presented with a sequence of items — in this case, playing cards — and asked to indicate when the current card matches the one n steps back.

The New Yorker

The input is a sequence of items of different types.

Theoretical Computer Science

The input is a sequence of items of various types.

Journal of Discrete Algorithms

Our goal is to give the service station a sequence of items with minimum type transitions.

Journal of Discrete Algorithms

We are given a sequence of items that can be packed into m unit size bins.

Theoretical Computer Science

A sequence of events, or series of events, is a sequence of items, facts, events, actions, changes, or procedural steps, arranged in time order (chronological order), often with causality relationships among the items.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

A combined list consists of top segments of various sizes from each base list so that the total size of all top segments equals N. A sequence of item requests is processed and the goal is to minimize the total number of misses.

Theoretical Computer Science

The Items section contains a sequence of item elements, each of which defines a single test item.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Brahimi seemed frustrated that the two sides could not even agree on an agenda or a sequencing of items to be discussed.

Los Angeles Times

According to the literature [5],[32],[46], a stream is a sequence of discrete items that are linked by some properties (e.g., same source, same type, time coupling, etc).

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

The problem is to choose appropriate slabs for a sequence of rolling items, from their respective candidate slab sets (families) with a view to reducing the resulting shuffling workload.

Computers & Operations Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing instructions or processes, use "a sequence of items" to clearly indicate the order in which tasks must be completed to achieve the desired outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "a sequence of items" when describing events that occur simultaneously or without a clear order. Use phrases like "a collection of items" or "various items" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sequence of items" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a sequence of items" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun phrase. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to describe an ordered arrangement. Predominantly utilized within scientific and news-related contexts, the phrase exhibits a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal communication. Alternatives include "an ordered series of elements" or "a succession of objects", to convey similar meanings. It is important to use this phrase when emphasizing order, and avoid it when items occur simultaneously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sequential arrangement of elements

Adds "sequential" to emphasize the arrangement and order of elements.

an ordered series of elements

Replaces "sequence" with "series" and "items" with "elements", emphasizing the ordered nature.

a succession of objects

Substitutes "sequence" with "succession" and "items" with "objects", focusing on the consecutive nature of the elements.

a progression of steps

Replaces "sequence" with "progression" and "items" with "steps", highlighting the developmental or ordered nature of the elements.

a chain of events

Uses "chain" to replace "sequence" and "events" instead of "items", suggesting interconnected occurrences.

an arrangement of components

Focuses on the structured layout by using "arrangement" instead of "sequence" and specifies "components".

a series of actions

Specifies the type of items as "actions", changing from a general set of items to a set of specific occurrences.

an ordered list of entries

Specifies "list" to replace the more general term "sequence", making it clear that items are part of an ordered collection.

a string of entities

Using "string" and "entities" transforms the sentence to a more abstract concept.

a cascade of elements

Implies that elements follow one after another in quick succession

FAQs

How can I use "a sequence of items" in a sentence?

You can use "a sequence of items" to describe steps in a process, elements in a list, or events in a timeline. For example, "The recipe involves a sequence of items, each added in a specific order."

What can I say instead of "a sequence of items"?

You can use alternatives like "an ordered series of elements", "a succession of objects", or "a progression of steps depending on the context."

Is it correct to use "a sequence of items" in formal writing?

Yes, "a sequence of items" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when precision and clarity are important. It accurately describes an ordered arrangement.

What distinguishes "a sequence of items" from "a collection of items"?

"A sequence of items" implies a specific order, while "a collection of items" simply means a group of things without a designated arrangement. Use "a sequence" when the order matters.