a stream of items

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a stream of items" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a continuous flow or sequence of objects, data, or information. Example: "The report presented a stream of items that highlighted the key findings of the research."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Identifying targets in a stream of items at a given constant spatial location relies on selection of aspects such as color, shape, or texture.

Plosone

Accordingly, deaf children perform worse on the Gordon Diagnostic System®, a continuous performance task which measures the ability to select a sequence of targets from a stream of items presented in central vision [14] [15].

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A retweet is essentially an @mention without the overt cc: signal, providing velocity to a stream of ideas, alerts, or items.

TechCrunch

Users can also choose to use a follow system to receive a stream of the items clipped by other users (also published in RSS), which co-founder Alex Schliker likens to a "Twitter for webclips".

TechCrunch

When you first fire up TapBuy Deals, you'll see a stream of discounted items the service has found online (it's constantly crawling various retailers and detecting price changes, so it'll even catch things that aren't advertised).

TechCrunch

The site can be used to keep in touch with your peers, but one of its biggest selling points is its News Feed, which includes a stream of research items that the site believes you'll be interested in based on those tags.

TechCrunch

Shields also sought out a stream of novel items for the shelves, some packaged under store labels such as "Trader Jose's" and "Trader Ming's".

Los Angeles Times

As the cleaners worked, a bizarre stream of items poured out of the apartment: a framed painting of George Washington, a yellow tow truck strap, a bag of boxing gloves, a circular saw, piles of doorknobs.

The New York Times

There's such a "huge" amount of unwanted ingredients that McCollum always has a steady stream of items coming in. .

Huffington Post

And she finds it "depressing," she tells him, that he continues to buy a steady stream of items online when her aim is for them to lead a less materialistic life.

The New York Times - Science

During the recession, he accepted a steady stream of items like broken bracelet chains and silverware, but now, he said, his customers seemed to have little left in their attics and basements.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a stream of items", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes an 'item' to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "a stream of data items" or "a stream of inventory items".

Common error

Avoid using "a stream of items" when referring to a collection with no sequential or flowing characteristic. Using "a list of items" is more appropriate for static collections.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stream of items" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing sequences of data or objects, suggesting a continuous or flowing nature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a stream of items" is a grammatically correct phrase used to depict a continuous flow or sequence of objects or data, as indicated by Ludwig. It appears in both scientific and general contexts, with a neutral register, which makes the expression versatile. While alternatives like "a flow of objects" and "a sequence of articles" exist, context is crucial to ensuring accurate usage. Awareness of its flowing or sequential implication is key. The use of "stream of items" should be limited to situations where the data is in sequence and continually accessed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a flow of objects

Replaces 'items' with the more concrete 'objects'.

a constant flow of things

Uses 'things' for a more generic reference and specifies 'constant flow'.

a sequence of articles

Substitutes 'items' with 'articles', implying a collection of writings.

a continuous series of objects

Emphasizes the uninterrupted nature of the series.

a barrage of elements

Uses 'barrage' to emphasize a rapid and overwhelming flow, and 'elements' as a broader term.

a cascade of elements

Implies a downward rush or overflow.

a steady procession of entities

Replaces "stream" with 'procession' for a more formal tone and 'entities' for generality.

a succession of entries

Focuses on the sequential aspect of 'entries'.

a flux of objects

Uses 'flux' to indicate continuous change or movement.

a river of data

Uses "river" to refer to a flowing sequence of data.

FAQs

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

You can use "a stream of items" to describe a continuous flow or sequence, as in, "The newsfeed presented "a stream of items" related to the user's interests".

What are some alternatives to "a stream of items"?

Alternatives include "a flow of objects", "a sequence of articles", or "a steady procession of entities", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "a stream of items" instead of "a list of items"?

"A stream of items" is suitable when the items are presented or processed in a continuous or sequential manner, while "a list of items" implies a static, unordered collection.

What does "a stream of items" imply about the nature of the items?

"A stream of items" suggests that the items are related, either by source, type, or time. This connection is highlighted when contrasting with a simple collection.