inventory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inventory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a complete list of items, often in the context of stock or supplies in a business or organization. Example: "The store conducted an inventory to assess the available products before the holiday season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Richard Locke, a political scientist at M.I.T. who is an expert on global supply chains and the author of the new book "The Promise and Limits of Private Power," told me, "Instead of buying lots of inventory with long lead times, brands wait as long as possible before ordering".

The Economist

It was confirmed that the prison's inventory of tools was intact and the focus was on outside contractors doing refurbishment work at the prison, which houses 3,000 inmates in the village of Dannemora, and was built in 1865.

The Guardian

"Check the inventory, or prepare your own when you move in.

The Guardian

Foxconn, however, will also be taking on the "inventory risk" – the problem of being left with handsets that customers don't want and which it cannot sell.

The Guardian - Tech

BlackBerry has successively written down $934m and $1.6bn on unsold inventory of handsets and other inventory, mostly of BB10 handsets.

The Guardian - Tech

For more help on making an inventory, look at Shelter's advice here.

The Guardian

None of this is going to be solved by an inventory of anything".

The Guardian

To do that, make sure you look thoroughly at the property when you move in and create an inventory.

The Guardian

According to the Wearable Computing website: "In the next five years, we can expect wearable computing to be adopted in a variety of industries, including health care, shipping and courier services, inventory and warehouse operations, conference and trade shows settings, security and law enforcement, newsgathering, museums and zoos, automatic data collection, and sports and entertainment.

The Guardian - Tech

Charney acknowledged that he might have opened too many stores in 2006 but said he would continue to reduce the company's inventory if he were able to stay at work, after cutting it by 16% last year.

The Guardian - Business

How do you use "fieldwork methods of observation and walking to compile an inventory which explore[s] the act of naming of local elements through oral inscription"?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "inventory", be specific about the type of inventory you are discussing. For example, specify if it's a retail inventory, a housing inventory, or a tool inventory.

Common error

Avoid using "inventory" when you mean "inventory management". "Inventory" refers to the items themselves, while "inventory management" refers to the system for tracking and controlling those items.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "inventory" is as a noun, referring to a list of items or the stock of goods available. Ludwig indicates this is a common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inventory" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a noun, denoting a list or stock of items. It's grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news, business, and technical contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples. While alternatives like "stock list" or "stocktaking" exist, "inventory" is a standard and clear choice, particularly in formal writing. Remember to differentiate it from "inventory management", which refers to the systems and processes for controlling the "inventory" itself.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stock list

Focuses specifically on a list detailing available items.

stocktaking

Emphasizes the action of assessing and recording available items.

list of items

A more general term for a compilation of things.

record of goods

Highlights the act of documenting merchandise.

supply count

Specifically refers to enumerating available supplies.

resource assessment

Broader term indicating an evaluation of available resources.

catalog of products

Implies a structured listing of items for sale.

assets on hand

Refers to the total value of possessions that are readily available.

store of merchandise

Indicates a quantity of goods kept for sale or use.

register of materials

Implies a formal record of resources or components.

FAQs

How can I use "inventory" in a sentence?

You can use "inventory" to refer to a stock of goods or a detailed list of items. For example: "The store conducted an inventory check." or "Our warehouse holds a large inventory of spare parts."

What are some alternatives to the word "inventory"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "stock list", "stocktaking", or "list of items".

What is the difference between "inventory" and "stock"?

"Inventory" often refers to a comprehensive list or the process of making that list. "Stock" is more generally used to refer to the quantity of goods available.

What does it mean to take "inventory"?

To take "inventory" means to create or update a detailed list of all the items on hand, often in a business or organizational context. It is similar to "stock taking".