leading item

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leading item" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where you refer to a primary or prominent item in a list, discussion, or presentation. For example, "The leading item on the agenda is the budget review." Alternative expressions include "primary item," "main item," and "top item."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

With every death a leading item in Britain's newscasts and newspapers, accusations that the troops have been poorly equipped have become a vulnerability for Labour — and a personal one for Mr. Brown — as they mount an uphill campaign in the May 6 general election against the poll-leading Conservatives.

The New York Times

But when you sit there watching the news you do not expect to see your match as the leading item".

Independent

Government health care had been a leading item on the liberal agenda at least since Harry Truman first proposed it, in 1946.

The New Yorker

While access to college has been the major concern in recent decades, over the last year, college completion, too, has become a leading item on the national agenda.

The New York Times

The porcelain works in the morning sale, all of which date from the reigns of the Yonzheng and Qianlong emperors, are particularly striking — especially the leading item, a rare flask-shaped vase with a bright-blue glaze, whose fanciful handles are shaped like birds.

The New Yorker

Patient safety is a leading item on the policy agenda of both major international health organizations and advanced countries generally.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

New neutron detectors using the latest advances in scintillators and data recording techniques, detectors for fast α particles with high pitch angle and energy resolution, high-resolution Thomson scattering, with a 20 Hz repetition rate, which will provide temperature and density profiles with a spatial accuracy close to 2 cm are the leading items of this programme.

Fusion Engineering and Design

We reviewed the availability and completeness of these data sets, identified leading items within each set and put them into tables of the 34 cancer networks.

BMC Health Services Research

Phosphate is the major mineral resource and one of the country's leading export items.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Brazil, once thought of as just an agricultural exporter, now counts airplanes and automobiles and car parts as its leading export items.

The New York Times

Last time, healthcare was among the leading agenda items in the primaries.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leading item" to clearly identify the most important element in a discussion, list, or agenda. This helps focus attention and streamline communication.

Common error

Avoid using "leading item" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "main thing" or "top priority" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leading item" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object within a sentence. It designates a thing of primary importance or prominence. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it is frequently used to refer to the most important issue or topic under consideration.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leading item" is a noun phrase used to identify the most important or prominent element, often in discussions, agendas, or lists. Ludwig AI classifies the phrase as grammatically correct and demonstrates its use across various contexts, primarily in news, science, and encyclopedias. While "leading item" isn't overly formal, simpler alternatives like "main item" or "top item" may be preferable in casual settings. Use "leading item" to clearly communicate priorities and direct attention effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main item

Replaces "leading" with "main", indicating the most important item.

primary item

Substitutes "leading" with "primary", highlighting the item of first importance.

top item

Replaces "leading" with "top", denoting the highest-ranking item.

chief item

Uses "chief" instead of "leading", emphasizing the principal item.

principal item

Replaces "leading" with "principal", indicating the most important or prominent item.

foremost item

Substitutes "leading" with "foremost", highlighting the most prominent item.

key item

Replaces "leading" with "key", suggesting an essential item.

central item

Replaces "leading" with "central", indicating the item at the core or center of attention.

major point

Shifts from "item" to "point", focusing on the most significant idea or argument.

headline item

Changes "leading" to "headline", emphasizing an item that receives the most attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "leading item" to refer to the most important or prominent thing. For example: "The "leading item" on the agenda is the budget review."

What's a good alternative to "leading item"?

Alternatives to "leading item" include "main item", "primary item", or "top item", depending on the specific context.

Is "leading item" formal or informal?

"Leading item" leans towards a more formal register, suitable for professional or academic settings. Simpler terms might be preferable in casual conversation.

When should I use "leading item" instead of "important thing"?

Use "leading item" when you want to emphasize that something is not only important but also at the forefront or highest in priority within a specific context or list. "Important thing" is a more general term.