an inventory of

USAGE SUMMARY

"an inventory of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a list of items typically associated with a business or specific activity, such as a list of items in stock or a list of services being offered. For example, "The company had an inventory of over 100 products."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Collingswood has an inventory of 72 homes.

The New York Times

6. Make an inventory of your past indiscretions.

The New York Times - Magazine

The police make an inventory of the deceased's belongings.

The Guardian - Books

Then you take an inventory of the pantry.

The New York Times

The group had an inventory of more than 50 songs.

The New York Times

"We have never had an inventory of the vault".

The New York Times - Arts

That compares with an inventory of 3.8 months a year ago.

The New York Times

When I made an inventory of my previous summer flirtations -- flip-flops?

The New York Times - Tech

Here's an inventory of details of the 57 S, and shortcuts for acquiring Maybach-level luxury.

The New York Times

Fine Arts" that she said "appeared to be an inventory of Humana art work".

The New York Times

The council asked companies to submit an inventory of locations and one responded.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an inventory of", ensure the list is comprehensive and well-organized. This phrase is particularly effective when detailing available resources, assets, or skills.

Common error

Avoid using the preposition "on" instead of "of" after "an inventory". The correct phrasing is always "an inventory of" something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an inventory of" functions as a noun phrase acting as a determiner followed by a prepositional phrase. It serves to introduce a comprehensive list or assessment of items, qualities, or attributes. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an inventory of" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a comprehensive list or assessment, and Ludwig AI affirms that it is correct. It is prevalent in news, scientific writing, and general contexts. When employing this phrase, clarity and precision are key. Remember to use "of" and not "on", and consider alternatives like "a list of" or "a catalog of" to suit your specific needs. Given its frequency and wide applicability, mastering the use of "an inventory of" is beneficial for effective communication in various professional and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a list of

A more general and straightforward alternative, suitable for informal and formal situations.

a catalog of

Emphasizes a detailed and organized listing, often used in commercial or systematic contexts.

a register of

Similar to a list, but often implies official or legal recording.

a compilation of

Highlights the gathering and arrangement of items from different sources.

an assessment of

Focuses on evaluating or judging the components rather than merely listing them.

a stocktake of

Primarily used in business to refer to a physical count of goods in a store or warehouse.

a record of

Implies documenting items or events for historical or reference purposes.

a tally of

Focuses on counting and summing up the number of items.

a survey of

Suggests a broad overview or examination of multiple items or aspects.

a summary of

Provides a condensed version of a larger collection of items or information.

FAQs

How do I use "an inventory of" in a sentence?

Use "an inventory of" to introduce a detailed list or catalog of items, attributes, or resources. For example, "The company conducted "an inventory of" its assets".

What are some alternatives to "an inventory of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a list of", "a catalog of", or "an assessment of".

Is it better to use "inventory of" or "list of"?

While both "inventory of" and "list of" can denote a collection of items, "inventory of" suggests a more systematic and comprehensive assessment, often used in business or organizational contexts. "List of" is more general and can be used in a wider variety of situations.

When should I use "an inventory of" versus "a summary of"?

"An inventory of" implies a detailed listing of all items, while "a summary of" provides a condensed overview of key points. Choose "an inventory of" when completeness is important, and "a summary of" when brevity and highlighting main points are desired.