action item

USAGE SUMMARY

"action item" is correct and usable in written English to refer to a task to be completed or a responsibility assigned to someone.
For example, "The CEO added a new action item to the meeting agenda: make sure the product launch is successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Action item: Encourage network development.

Harvard Business Review

Action item: Utilize your exit interviews.

Harvard Business Review

Action item: Construct personalized, mutually beneficial tours.

Harvard Business Review

Lazu's second action item was disruption.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Taking responsibility was Lazu's third action item.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Q: I see I have an Open Action Item.

Cornell University

Click the folder icon to view that action item.

Cornell University

People volunteered to own and help with each action item.

Cornell University

Questions should ask for more information about how their action item will work, or anticipate problems that might arise during the implementation of their action item.

The New York Times

So, always think about how you can include an action item or rephrase something into the form of an action item for your follow-up emails!

Yale University

Encourage others to limit emails to only those who have an action item.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When assigning an "action item", clearly define the expected outcome, responsible party, and deadline to ensure accountability and timely completion.

Common error

Avoid vaguely defining "action items" without specific details. Ensure the task is measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) to prevent confusion and inefficiency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "action item" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to identify a specific task or activity that needs to be addressed. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it's commonly used in business, academic, and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "action item" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that refers to a specific task or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, typically in business, academic, and news contexts. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to define the expected outcome, responsible party, and deadline when assigning an "action item". Alternatives include "task to be completed" and "item for follow-up", providing various options to express the concept. The frequency of occurrence across various sources indicates it's a common term. As a writing tip, remember to avoid vaguely defining "action items" without specific details, and always make sure the task is SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

task to be completed

Focuses on the work that needs to be done.

item for follow-up

Emphasizes the need for subsequent attention.

assigned responsibility

Highlights the allocation of duty.

outstanding task

Indicates that the task is yet to be addressed.

required action

Stresses the necessity of taking action.

next step

Presents the item as the logical progression.

pending task

Shows that the task is waiting to be done.

matter for resolution

Highlights the need for a decision or solution.

point of attention

Focuses on something needing to be looked at carefully.

deliverable

Presents the item as something that must be produced or provided.

FAQs

How do I use "action item" in a sentence?

You can use "action item" to refer to a specific task that needs to be completed. For example, "The first "action item" is to redesign the logo" or "Database maintenance fees is an "action item" for next week".

What can I say instead of "action item"?

You can use alternatives like "task to be completed", "item for follow-up", or "assigned responsibility" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "action item" or "task item"?

"Action item" is the more common and accepted phrase in professional and academic settings. While "task item" might be understood, it is not as widely used.

What's the difference between an "action item" and a project?

An "action item" is a smaller, specific task that contributes to a larger project. A project is a collection of related tasks designed to achieve a specific outcome.