list off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'list off' is not correct in written English.
The correct phrase is 'list (something) off'. For example: "I listed off the contents of my pantry to figure out what I have and don't have."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Teacher Josephine Aguti Emurau, 52, needs no time to list off the most pressing issues in her community.

The Guardian

A cargo ship with about two dozen crew radioed for help as their vessel started to list off Batangas.

The Guardian

And they say, "Can you find it?" So, if a director said to you, "we're looking for a great alley," could you list off alleys?

The New York Times

If you start to list off senior women on Wall Street, there are fewer today than there were even a few years ago.

The New York Times

Seems like it'd be good for him, but he's given Romney an opportunity to list off all the problems with the economy under Obama, which he's become very good at doing.

The New Yorker

I just had to cut the list off somewhere.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Therefore, we consider that off-target searches allowing mismatches and gaps would be a more suitable procedure to list off-target candidates exhaustively.

Bioinformatics

Learn this list off-by-heart so that when you do go out, you can look for your easier foods like it's second nature.

WikiHow

Listing off all the connected residential addresses?

The Guardian - Tech

In listing off her dead, Armantrout circles the fact of her own mortality.

The New Yorker

Leonardo DiCaprio has listed off some of the Russian figures he'd like to play in the future.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer "list (something) off" for grammatical correctness. For example, instead of saying "He can list off many reasons", say "He can list many reasons off."

Common error

Avoid using "list off" as a direct verb without the object in between. It's generally better to separate the verb "list" from the particle "off" with the object being listed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "list off" functions as a phrasal verb, where "list" acts as the verb and "off" as a particle modifying its meaning. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not correct in written English and suggests using "list something off" instead.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "list off" appears frequently in various contexts, including News & Media, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests opting for "list something off" or alternative phrasing, such as "enumerate" or "itemize", particularly in formal writing. The phrase serves the function of enumerating items, but its informal register makes it less suitable for professional or academic use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reel off

Suggests listing rapidly and without much thought.

enumerate

A more formal substitute that suggests a systematic counting or listing.

catalogue

Implies compiling a comprehensive and organized list.

itemise

Focuses on providing a list of individual items or details.

recite

Implies a spoken listing, often from memory.

detail

Emphasizes providing specific information in a list format.

specify

Highlights the act of clearly defining or stating items in a list.

recount

Suggests narrating or telling a list of items.

mention

Refers to briefly stating a list of items.

name

Focuses on stating the names of items in a list.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "list off"?

While commonly used, especially in informal contexts, "list off" is not considered grammatically correct in formal English. It's better to use "list something off" or rephrase using alternatives.

What's the difference between "list off" and "list something off"?

The grammatically preferred form is "list something off", where "something" is the list of items being specified. "List off" is a less formal and sometimes disputed variation.

How can I use "list something off" in a sentence?

To use "list something off" correctly, place the items being listed between "list" and "off". For example, "She can list all the ingredients off by heart".

What are some alternative phrases to "list off"?

Alternatives include "enumerate", "itemize", "recite", or simply "list" depending on the context. Each of these provides a slightly different nuance to the act of listing.