generate a list

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generate a list" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to create a compilation of items, names, or data points. Example: "Please generate a list of all the participants for the upcoming event."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Generate a list of contacts for networking purposes.

The New York Times

Generate a list of ten questions about the content of the show.

The New York Times

The refrigerator could generate a list and place an order with an online grocer.

The New York Times

Forensic scientists generate a list of people who are partial DNA matches to a suspect.

The New York Times

Generate a list of your group's likely objectives and suggest possible strategies by which you will most likely achieve those aims.

The New York Times

You can easily generate a list for your insurance company.

Forbes

This will generate a list of the newest messages in any particular forum.

Forbes

Forbes.com will use TVA's proprietary algorithm to generate a list of America's Most Promising Companies.

Forbes

These values were input into Fracpro's fluid selection page to generate a list of potential fracture fluids.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Highest scoring peptides are used to generate a list of inferred proteins present in the complex mixture (protein assembly).

Clinical and Translational Medicine

To generate a list of functional annotations, the transcripts identified extracted from the targets of each candidate miRNA.

Protein & Cell

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "generate a list", ensure the context clearly defines the criteria or method for generating the list. This adds clarity and purpose to the process.

Common error

Avoid using "generate a list" without specifying parameters or quality checks. Automatically generated lists can sometimes be incomplete or irrelevant if the underlying data or algorithm is flawed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generate a list" functions as a verb phrase, where "generate" is the verb and "a list" is the direct object. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "generate a list" is a versatile and commonly used expression for instructing or describing the creation of a list. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. Its prevalence in science, news, and formal business contexts suggests a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the criteria or method for generating the list to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "create a list" or "compile a list" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create a list

This alternative is more general and widely applicable, suitable for most contexts where "generate a list" is used.

compile a list

This alternative suggests gathering information from multiple sources to form a comprehensive list.

produce a list

This alternative implies bringing a list into existence, often through a systematic process.

develop a list

This alternative indicates a more gradual and iterative process of creating a list.

formulate a list

This alternative suggests a careful and deliberate creation of a list, often with a specific purpose.

draw up a list

This alternative is often used in more formal contexts and implies creating a structured or official list.

put together a list

This alternative is informal and suggests assembling a list from available resources.

make a listing

This alternative focuses on the action of listing items, rather than the creation of a complete list.

prepare a list

This alternative suggests getting a list ready for use, often implying organization and formatting.

itemize

This alternative focuses on the act of creating a list of items or details.

FAQs

How can I use "generate a list" in a sentence?

You can use "generate a list" to instruct someone to create a compilation of items, names, or data points. For example: "Please generate a list of all the participants for the upcoming event."

What are some alternatives to "generate a list"?

You can use alternatives like "create a list", "compile a list", or "produce a list" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "generate a list" and "create a list"?

While both phrases are similar, "generate a list" often implies a more systematic or automated process, while "create a list" is more general and can refer to any method of list creation.

When is it appropriate to use "generate a list" in formal writing?

"Generate a list" is suitable for formal writing when the context involves a structured or methodical process of creating a compilation, particularly in scientific, business, or technical fields.