most of the items

USAGE SUMMARY

"most of the items" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to refer to a group of items, typically ones that you are discussing or comparing. For example: "Most of the items in my shopping cart were fruits and vegetables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Most of the items were recovered.

The New York Times

Most of the items are new.

The New York Times

Most of the items sent were recovered.

The New York Times

Most of the items are branded with the museum's logo.

The New York Times

He had most of the items on my mental checklist.

The New York Times

whose institution had lent most of the items on display.

The New Yorker

(Most of the items had not been priced yet).

The New Yorker

But most of the items were cash-and-carry.

The New York Times

This is the public's first glimpse of most of the items in Ms. Bundles's collection.

The New York Times

Most of the items on En's menu are priced at about $5 or $6.

The New York Times - Travel

Most of the items were cataloged and tagged by Mr. Kuhn and his antiquities department.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prioritize clarity: If the percentage is critical, use a precise figure (e.g., "75% of the items") instead of "most of the items".

Common error

Avoid using singular pronouns or verbs when referring back to "most of the items". Remember that "items" is plural, so use plural pronouns like "they" or "these". Example: "Most of the items were on sale; they were marked down 50%."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most of the items" functions as a determiner phrase. It specifies a quantity or portion of a defined set of objects. It commonly introduces a noun phrase, indicating that a majority, but not necessarily all, of the items are being discussed. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most of the items" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a majority of a group of objects. Ludwig AI confirms that it is used across diverse contexts, primarily in news and media, and scientific writing. To ensure clarity, it is important to define the specific set of items being referenced and maintain pronoun agreement. Consider using synonyms like "the majority of the items" or "a large number of the items" for variety, and be mindful of specific nuances in meaning. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate this common phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the majority of the items

Replaces "most" with "the majority", emphasizing a larger proportion.

almost all of the items

Indicates a near-complete quantity, slightly stronger than "most".

a large number of the items

Substitutes "most" with "a large number", highlighting quantity over proportion.

a significant portion of the items

Emphasizes the importance of the quantity being referenced.

the bulk of the items

Suggests the main mass or volume of the items is being considered.

the greater part of the items

Uses a more formal tone to express the majority.

a good deal of the items

Highlights a considerable amount, though less formal.

the predominant part of the items

Replaces "most" with "the predominant part", giving it a sense of what has more power or influence.

largely the items

Highlights items more than quantity, it is a shorter form of 'to a large extent the items'.

primarily the items

Focuses on the items more than the quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "most of the items" in a sentence?

Use "most of the items" when you want to indicate that a majority, but not necessarily all, of a group of things share a certain characteristic or status. For example, "Most of the items on the menu are vegetarian."

What are some alternatives to saying "most of the items"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "the majority of the items", "a large number of the items", or "a significant portion of the items".

Is it correct to say "most of the item" instead of "most of the items"?

No, "most of the item" is generally incorrect unless you are referring to different parts or aspects of a single, non-countable item (e.g., "Most of the information was accurate"). When referring to multiple discrete objects, use the plural form: "Most of the items".

What is the difference between saying "most of the items" and "all of the items"?

"Most of the items" implies that a majority, but not every single one, is being referred to. "All of the items", on the other hand, means that every single item within the specified group is included.