check off the list

USAGE SUMMARY

"check off the list" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to ticking items off a list, such as when you are doing a task or grocery shopping. For example, "I need to check off the list to make sure I didn't forget anything."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Even my daily run can be another thing to check off the list.

The New York Times

A convention hotel restaurant might not strike a food enthusiast as something to check off the list.

The Washington Post

It will give you one more thing to check off the list and save you from having to remake the decision monthly.

The New York Times

It was fun to check off the list but for the amount of time spent and the understandable opinionated response, I don't know that it's a delightful balance to do every year or even again".

The Guardian - Film

Instead of seeing data security as "one more thing" to check off the list, keep an ever-watchful eye on your data.

Forbes

It was a goal I thought would be easy to check off the list, considering the tales I'd heard of these curious aquanauts from the weasel family coming right up to tourists, unabashedly goofing around not seeming to mind an audience.

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Let children pack their own bags, checking off the list.

The New York Times - Travel

One important conversation, however, had already been checked off the list.

The New York Times

We have a long way to go but it's another accomplishment I look forward to checking off the list".

The Guardian - Sport

The first accomplishment the team checked off the list was having the best C.A.A. record and going undefeated in the conference.

The New York Times

He then checked off the list of clichés it fulfilled, such as a hero with hollow cheeks and well-filled breeches, an "excitable" heroine.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "check off the list" when you want to emphasize the completion of individual items within a larger set of tasks. This phrase is particularly useful in project management, personal to-do lists, and goal-setting contexts.

Common error

While "check off the list" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it excessively in very informal conversations where simpler phrases like "done" or "finished" might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "check off the list" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of marking items on a list as completed. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It serves to denote the completion or acknowledgement of tasks or items.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

12%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Check off the list" is a verb phrase used to describe the act of marking items on a list as complete. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various written contexts. It is neutral in tone, making it suitable for both formal and informal settings, with primary usage in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki sources. While not exceedingly common, the phrase is well-understood and effectively communicates task completion. Consider related phrases like ""mark off the list"" or "cross off the list" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mark off the list

Replaces "check" with "mark", emphasizing the act of marking completion.

tick off the list

Uses "tick" instead of "check", offering a common synonym for marking completion.

cross off the list

Substitutes "check" with "cross", indicating the removal of an item from the list after completion.

strike off the list

Employs "strike" in place of "check", suggesting a more forceful removal of an item.

remove from the list

Focuses on the action of removing an item from the list once it's completed.

scratch off the list

Uses "scratch" instead of "check", suggesting a quick or casual way to mark an item as done.

complete an item on the list

Highlights the action of completing a task and its relation to the list.

finish an item on the list

Focuses on the act of finishing an item, implying its removal from the list.

eliminate from the list

Suggests a formal or definitive removal of an item from the list.

get through the list

Focuses on progressing through and finishing all items on the list.

FAQs

How can I use "check off the list" in a sentence?

You can use "check off the list" to describe marking items as completed, such as: "I need to "mark off the list" before the meeting" or "She "crossed off the list" all her chores".

What's a simple alternative to "check off the list"?

For simpler alternatives, you can use phrases like "mark as done", "complete", or simply "finish".

Is "check off the list" formal or informal?

"Check off the list" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more common in professional or organized settings. However, you can use also less formal alternatives like mark as done in daily conversations.

What is the difference between "check off the list" and "go through the list"?

"Check off the list" implies marking items as completed, while "go through the list" simply means reviewing or examining the items. For example, "I need to "go through the list" to see what's left" versus "I will "check off the list" as I complete each task".