be an item

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'be an item' is correct and can be used in written English to indicate that two people are in a relationship.
For example, "It's official - they're an item now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

But this year, I want it to be an item that has a purpose beyond reiterating my love.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When it comes to science in culture, the oil industry, as part of science, should be an item of scrutiny.

The Guardian

When the postmortems begin in earnest at Lord's after Christmas there will surely be an item on the agenda entitled "selection".

The Guardian - Sport

"Bankruptcy should never be an item of financial planning," said Representative James F. Sensenbrenner Jr., the Wisconsin Republican who is chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

The New York Times

Even though they ceased to be an item more than two decades ago, needling each other before a crowd seems to be their default setting.

The Guardian

The President and senior Administration officials suggested that the missile might be an item for negotiation with the Soviet Union in the talks on reducing nuclear arms.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Mariah Carey and Elvis Presley are an item.

The New York Times

By March, they were an item.

The New York Times

There was an item in the N.Y.

The New Yorker

Why is an item going unused?

The Guardian

"It's an item of faith.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be an item" to describe a relationship, ensure the context clearly indicates a romantic or dating connection to avoid misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "be an item" in contexts where a list or agenda is intended, as this can confuse the meaning. Instead, opt for phrases like "be on the agenda" or "be included in the plan" to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be an item" primarily functions as a predicate nominative when describing a romantic relationship between two people. It can also function as part of a clause referring to an item under consideration, as showcased by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

20%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be an item" is commonly used to describe a romantic relationship or something that is under consideration. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and shows it's most frequently found in news and media, science, and wiki contexts. While primarily used to indicate a romantic connection, it can also refer to something on an agenda. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear to avoid misinterpretations. Related phrases include "be romantically involved" or "be on the agenda", depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be in a relationship

A more general term for being together.

be a couple

Highlights the pair as a unit.

be romantically involved

Emphasizes the romantic aspect of the relationship.

be seeing each other

Focuses on the act of dating and spending time together.

be going steady

An older, less common term for a committed relationship.

be on the agenda

Shifts the meaning to something being considered or discussed.

be up for discussion

Similar to "be on the agenda", but emphasizes the openness to debate.

be under consideration

Indicates that something is being thought about or evaluated.

feature on the program

Highlights that something is formally part of a scheduled list.

be part of the plan

Indicates inclusion in a set of actions to be carried out.

FAQs

What does it mean when people "be an item"?

When people "be an item", it typically means they are in a romantic relationship or dating each other.

How can I use "be an item" in a sentence?

You can use "be an item" in a sentence like: "After the movie premiere, everyone suspected that the two leads "were an item"."

What's a less common way to say that two people "be an item"?

A less common, and somewhat old-fashioned, way to say that two people "be an item" is to say they are "going steady".

When would I use "be on the agenda" instead of "be an item"?

Use "be on the agenda" when referring to a topic or task that needs to be discussed or addressed, such as in a meeting or plan, rather than a romantic relationship.