item by item

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "item by item" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a detailed examination or consideration of individual items in a list or collection. Example: "We will review the budget item by item to ensure accuracy and transparency."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Let's examine these item by item.

The New York Times

Then, once you're back, burn it all, item by item.

The New Yorker

He continues, item by item, until he's fininshed.

The Washington Post

The first two subseries are listed item by item.

Columbia University

Keep track of your analyses, item by item.

Stanford University

Analysts move through the queue item by item, labeling cases "yes", "no" or "unknown".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The same criteria were used to assess the item-by item agreement.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Facebook is trying to encourage people to control their privacy on an item-by-item basis.

The Washington Post

Facchina, declined a public-records request to provide an item-by-item breakdown.

The Washington Post

Libraries staff immediately performed an item-by-item assessment of all collections.

Columbia University

Businesses could pore over them item-by-item in an effort to undercut established contractors.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "item by item" to emphasize a meticulous, detailed examination of individual components, ensuring nothing is overlooked. For example, when auditing financial records, reviewing them "item by item" ensures accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "item by item" when the context already implies a detailed, sequential process. Instead of saying "The checklist was reviewed item by item, with each point carefully considered", simply state "The checklist was reviewed, with each point carefully considered" to eliminate redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "item by item" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates a meticulous and detailed approach, where each item is considered separately. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "item by item" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to emphasize a thorough and detailed approach to examining individual elements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in both formal and informal contexts. Its usage spans across various domains, including science, news & media, and academia, indicating its broad applicability. While alternatives like "one by one" and "point by point" exist, "item by item" uniquely highlights the meticulous consideration of each individual item. Remember to avoid redundancy by using it only when the context truly warrants emphasis on this detailed process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one by one

Focuses on the sequential aspect more directly than the detailed inspection.

point by point

Emphasizes a discussion or analysis that addresses each specific detail.

step by step

Highlights a process with ordered actions rather than individual items.

piece by piece

Suggests the gradual accumulation or disassembly of something.

individually

Stresses the separate consideration of each element.

in detail

Focuses on thoroughness of examination rather than sequential order.

one at a time

Highlights the execution of tasks sequentially.

bit by bit

Conveys a gradual process, often implying effort or difficulty.

part by part

Relates more to the construction or examination of physical objects.

case by case

Implies separate evaluation of different situations or instances.

FAQs

How can I use "item by item" in a sentence?

You can use "item by item" to describe a process where each individual item is considered separately and in detail. For example, "The committee reviewed the proposal "item by item", discussing each clause thoroughly".

What are some alternatives to saying "item by item"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "one by one", "point by point", or "individually" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "item by item" formal or informal?

"Item by item" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its clarity and directness make it appropriate for a wide range of writing and speaking situations.

What's the difference between "item by item" and "step by step"?

"Item by item" focuses on a detailed examination of individual items, while "step by step" describes a process with sequential actions. "Item by item" is used to describe a thorough review of each item in a list. "Step by step" is used to describe the order of a process.