go through the list

USAGE SUMMARY

"go through the list" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this expression to mean to review or look at a list of items or topics. For example: "Let's go through the list of items we need for the party to make sure nothing is missing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I just go through the list, and it seems to get longer every day".

The New York Times

"Marcos, Duvalier, Suharto, Ceau¸sescu, you go through the list, that's the way they were overthrown.

The New Yorker

The next morning David Daiches, our chairman, began: "We'll go through the list in alphabetical order.

The Guardian - Books

Now, what I just said about Menu A may not be totally obvious, so let's go through the list.

The New York Times

"We could go through the list today and pretty much say which team is going to lose," Granderson said.

The New York Times - Sports

Each one of the executives leads the meeting — it rotates in alphabetical order and we just go through the list.

The New York Times

We — and I won't go through the list again, but you — you know all the things that we have done to try to provide support to the economy.

The New York Times

If you go through the list in detail there is not a single large, publicly-owned company that has not been touched.

The New York Times

I think the data says when you look at where he is right now, you can pick the names, go through the list".

The New York Times - Sports

"But the Chicagos and the New Jerseys — you go through the list of teams — the Detroits, I don't think there were big shifts in what teams did".

The New York Times

"Yet you go through the list of ethics agreements that we've posted on our Web page for all of these nominees, and they're all selling things.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "go through the list" when you want to convey a systematic review of items, especially with the intention of taking action or making decisions based on each item.

Common error

While generally acceptable, "go through the list" can sound slightly informal. In highly formal documents or presentations, consider alternatives like "review the list" or "examine the list" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "go through the list" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of examining the contents of a list. It conveys a systematic and often sequential review of the items present. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, confirming its active role in sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

30%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "go through the list" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that signifies reviewing items on a list, as confirmed by Ludwig. While generally acceptable, its formality might need adjustment depending on the context. The phrase finds frequent use in news, media, and wiki sources. Related phrases offer alternatives with subtle differences in emphasis. When writing, consider the audience and purpose to optimize clarity and tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go over the list

This alternative is very similar, but less formal.

review the list

This alternative is more concise and emphasizes the act of examining something already known.

examine the list

This alternative suggests a more detailed and careful inspection of the list.

check the list

This alternative focuses on verifying the items present on the list.

work through the list

This implies a systematic and methodical approach to dealing with each item.

scan the list

This alternative implies a quick overview of the list.

peruse the list

This alternative suggests a leisurely and thorough reading of the list.

pore over the list

Suggests intense focus and attention to detail.

scrutinize the list

Indicates a critical and detailed examination.

process the list

Emphasizes acting upon the items in the list, rather than simple review.

FAQs

What does "go through the list" mean?

To "go through the list" means to examine each item on a list, usually in a sequential manner. It often implies considering or acting upon each item.

What can I say instead of "go through the list"?

You can use alternatives like "review the list", "examine the list", or "check the list" depending on the context.

Is "go through the list" formal or informal?

"Go through the list" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. In more formal settings, consider using alternatives such as "review the list".

How to use "go through the list" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "Let's go through the list of attendees to ensure everyone has arrived."