enumeration

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "enumeration" is correct and usable in written English.
Enumeration refers to the act of listing things one by one, often in a systematic way. For example, "The enumeration of the animal kingdom includes more than one million species."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is now a fear that politics will prevent the Census Bureau from carrying out its charge in 2000, resulting in the first "failed" census in American history.The controversy began when the Clinton administration announced a plan to move away from the "actual enumeration" of Americans called for by the constitution.

The Economist

It reads, "The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people".

The Economist

In contexts almost beyond enumeration, Byzantium was vital to the continuity of civilisation.

The Economist

Jefferson a man so fond of enumeration that he once wrote to a friend that he had "ten and one-half grandchildren, and two and three-fourths great-grandchildren", and that "these fractions will ere long become units"—criticised them for being unclear about how this "apportionment" was to be carried out.

The Economist

High levels of immigration can also make government data unreliable, says Kevin Deardorff, of the American census office.Modern-minded American statisticians also face thorny legal questions: the constitution calls for an "actual enumeration" of the population.

The Economist

But the unrelenting Republican attack is forcing them to explain a truth that the average person finds hard to grasp: the best way to know how many Americans there are is not to count them all.The controversy stems from the American constitution, which requires an "actual Enumeration" every ten years.

The Economist

Mr Bach's account is the racier, written with showbiz glee, titillating detail and an enumeration of lovers and liaisons which can prove wearing.

The Economist

The 2000 census was said to have produced a net overcount, but still missed about 4m people, 1m of them Latinos.It was to correct such undercounting that Robert Groves, a Census Bureau official, suggested that statistical sampling be used in addition to the conventional enumeration.

The Economist

We have made this enumeration in order to show how varied are the interests in this country which are deeply involved in the result of this question.

The Economist

In a unanimous decision on August 24th, a three-judge panel ruled that the administration's plan to use statistical sampling in the 2000 census violates federal law, and that the Census Bureau must use the "actual enumeration" method mandated by the constitution.

The Economist

Shem Tov Ibn Falaquera inserted a number of its passages (in Hebrew) into his own "enumeration of sciences", part two of the Beginning of Science (Reshit hokhmah), probably written around 1250 (Efros 1935; Strauss 1936; about Falaquera's knowledge of al-Farabi's works, see Harvey 2002).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "enumeration" when you need to emphasize a systematic and detailed listing of items or elements, especially in formal or technical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "enumeration" in casual conversation or informal writing; simpler terms like "listing" or "counting" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "enumeration" is as a noun, representing the act of counting, listing, or detailing items. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is well-established in English. Examples include "the actual enumeration" and "an enumeration of lovers".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "enumeration" is a noun denoting the act of systematically listing or counting items. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English, primarily within formal and scientific contexts. While semantically related to words like "listing" and "itemization", it carries a more formal and precise connotation. Usage examples from The Economist and the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy highlight its application in news and academic settings, affirming its grammatical correctness and common usage in quality sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

listing

Focuses on the act of creating a list, implying a simpler, less formal process than "enumeration".

itemization

Highlights the detailed specification of individual items within a larger set.

cataloging

Suggests a systematic and comprehensive listing, often with descriptive information.

inventorying

Emphasizes the act of creating an inventory, usually of physical objects or assets.

numbering

Specifically refers to assigning numbers to items in a sequence.

accounting

Indicates a thorough recording and reporting of financial or statistical data.

reckoning

Implies a careful calculation or assessment, often in a formal or legal context.

tallying

Focuses on the process of counting and recording the total number of items.

recounting

Highlights the act of telling something again, often in detail.

specification

Refers to the act of stating something in detail.

FAQs

How to use "enumeration" in a sentence?

"Enumeration" is typically used to describe the act of counting or listing items systematically. For example, "The constitution calls for an actual "actual enumeration" of the population every ten years."

What can I say instead of "enumeration"?

You can use alternatives like "listing", "itemization", or "cataloging" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "enumeration" or "numbering"?

Both "enumeration" and "numbering" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Enumeration" refers to the act of listing items, while "numbering" specifically refers to assigning numbers to those items.

What's the difference between "enumeration" and "inventory"?

"Enumeration" is a general term for listing items, while "inventory" specifically refers to a list of goods or assets. You might use "inventory" in a business context to refer to a list of items in stock, but "enumeration" in a more general sense, such as the "enumeration of rights".