Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
list down the
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"list down the" is not a grammatically correct phrase in written English.
It may be used in spoken English as a colloquialism or slang, but it is not considered appropriate for formal writing. A better way to express the idea of creating a list would be "write down a list of" or "make a list of." Example: "Please write down a list of all the items you need to bring for the camping trip."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Wiki
News & Media
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
15 human-written examples
List down the places you wanted to visit and things you wanted to do while in the United States.
Wiki
It also helps to list down the names that you don't want for your child in case your partner suggests the same.
Wiki
"The key name on the list down the road is Manny Pacquiao".
News & Media
It's pretty much a clone of, say, Outlook Express -- folder list down the left side, preview pane at lower right -- except that it can check both your AOL mail account and multiple standard Internet accounts.
News & Media
Then they will split the list down the middle and create four funds: two in the higher-yielding, lower-quality issues, and two with higher-quality but lower-yielding issues.
News & Media
Also, for our purposes, we list down the following two properties, the proofs of which are straightforward.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
45 human-written examples
This year 195 billionaires were new to the list, down from the 198 newcomers in 2016.
News & Media
Narrow the list down, and decide which one you would like to put an offer on.
Wiki
The listings were essentially clones of the Palm Pre Plus listing, down to the prices.
News & Media
Before tryouts, get all the materials listed down below in the "Things You'll Need" section.
Wiki
COSTECH thus decided to narrow the list down using the expert panel as described in the methods section.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When aiming for formal writing, substitute "list down the" with alternatives like "enumerate the", "itemize the", or "make a list of the". These alternatives ensure grammatical correctness and enhance clarity.
Common error
While "list down the" might be acceptable in informal conversation, avoid it in professional emails, academic papers, or formal reports. Opt for more precise and grammatically correct alternatives to maintain credibility and professionalism.
Source & Trust
77%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "list down the" functions as a directive, instructing someone to create a list. Although it aims to convey a clear action, Ludwig AI indicates that it's not grammatically correct in written English. Therefore, it should be used with caution.
Frequent in
Wiki
40%
News & Media
30%
Science
30%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "list down the" appears in various contexts, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect for formal written English. It functions as a directive to create a list but is more suited for informal communication. For professional or academic writing, alternatives like "make a list of the", "enumerate the", or "itemize the" are recommended to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy. The usage pattern reveals its presence in Wiki, News & Media, and Science contexts, but its absence in Formal & Business and Academic settings highlights its informality. Therefore, consider the audience and context before using this phrase.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
make a list of the
Restructures the phrase to use a more standard grammatical construction.
enumerate the
Replaces "list down" with a more formal verb, maintaining the same core meaning of specifying items.
itemize the
Similar to "enumerate", but emphasizes a detailed, item-by-item presentation.
catalog the
Suggests a systematic and organized listing, often implying a comprehensive collection.
detail the
Focuses on providing specific information for each item on the list, emphasizing thoroughness.
specify the
Highlights the act of clearly and explicitly stating each item, reducing ambiguity.
record the
Implies documenting the items on the list for future reference, emphasizing preservation.
tabulate the
Suggests organizing the items into a table or structured format, often with numerical data.
chart the
Similar to tabulate, but may involve visual representation of the listed items.
present the list of
A more verbose but grammatically sound alternative, emphasizing the act of showing a pre-existing list.
FAQs
How to use the idea of "list down the" in a sentence?
Instead of using the phrase "list down the", which is considered grammatically incorrect, use alternatives such as "make a list of" or "enumerate the" for clarity and correctness.
What can I say instead of "list down the"?
You can use alternatives like "itemize the", "detail the", or "specify the" depending on the context.
Which is correct, "list down the" or "make a list of the"?
"Make a list of the" is the correct and grammatically sound option. "List down the" is generally considered incorrect in formal writing.
What's the difference between "list down the" and "write down the"?
While both phrases convey the idea of noting something, "write down the" is more generally accepted as grammatically correct. "List down the" is often perceived as colloquial and less precise.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
77%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested