narrow the list

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "narrow the list" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to mean reducing the amount of items in a list or eliminating less favorable options in order to focus on the more important or better options. For example: "Let's narrow the list of potential vacation spots to two cities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So I had to narrow the list even more.

The New York Times

To narrow the list would have required more details.

The New York Times

They hope to narrow the list to two or three cities next year.

The New York Times - Sports

About four weeks later, it will narrow the list in half.

The New York Times

How does he prefer to have sex?' And then you narrow the list down.

The Guardian - Film

This process helps narrow the list of relevant companies and facilitates more focused conversations during interviews.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The committee used these criteria to eventually narrow the list to five firms.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Looking at demographic trends among the 24 known teammates, one can narrow the list.

Princeton University

"There's very little incentive for any particular government official to narrow the list," Sparapani said.

The Washington Post

"They were exhaustive". So Microsoft worked with an outside firm to narrow the list.

Harvard Business Review

It is expected to review the preliminary proposals and narrow the list before asking for formal proposals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "narrow the list" in your writing, be sure to clearly state the criteria used for narrowing, enhancing clarity and providing context for the selection process.

Common error

Avoid stating only that you will "narrow the list" without specifying the reasons or methods used, as this can leave the reader without a clear understanding of the selection process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "narrow the list" functions as a verb phrase. It indicates the action of reducing a set of items to a smaller, more manageable or relevant selection, as evidenced by Ludwig’s examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

9%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "narrow the list" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression that signifies the act of reducing a set of items, options, or candidates based on specific criteria. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and common usage across diverse contexts such as news, academia, and science. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the methods or reasons behind the narrowing process. Alternatives like "reduce the list" or "whittle down the list" offer similar meanings with subtle variations. Being mindful of context and providing clear reasons for narrowing will enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce the list

Focuses on lessening the amount of things; less specific about how to reduce the amount.

shorten the list

Implies making the list shorter, often by removing items from the end.

whittle down the list

Suggests gradual reduction, chipping away at the list bit by bit.

trim the list

Similar to shorten, but with a sense of neatening or tidying.

pare down the list

Emphasizes stripping away unnecessary elements to reach the essentials.

refine the list

Focuses on improving the list's quality by removing irrelevant items.

downsize the list

Conveys a reduction in size, often for efficiency or cost-saving reasons.

winnow the list

Implies sifting through to separate the desired items from the unwanted.

cull the list

Suggests removing less desirable items, often with a sense of selection.

condense the list

Indicates shortening by expressing something in fewer words.

FAQs

How can I use "narrow the list" in a sentence?

You can use "narrow the list" to describe a process of reducing options. For example: "We need to "narrow the list" of candidates before the interviews begin."

What are some alternatives to "narrow the list"?

Alternatives to "narrow the list" include "reduce the list", "shorten the list", or "whittle down the list". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "narrow the list" or "reduce the list"?

"Narrow the list" and "reduce the list" are often interchangeable, but "narrow" suggests focusing on specific criteria to refine the options, while "reduce" simply means making the list smaller.

What does it mean to "narrow down the list"?

"Narrow down the list" is essentially the same as "narrow the list"; both phrases mean to reduce the number of items on a list, usually by applying certain criteria or preferences.