the column for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the column for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific column in a table, spreadsheet, or document that is designated for a particular purpose or type of information. Example: "In the report, please fill in the column for the sales figures from the last quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The column for Passover.

The New Yorker

I went on writing the column for five years".

The Guardian - Books

By midweek, I start to get angry at the column for not writing itself.

The New York Times

Rumors began to spread in the newspapers: Mr. Varia was stealing the column for the Guggenheim.

The New York Times - Arts

BluePrintCleanse's Web site was mentioned in the column for suggesting that a bridal party cleanse together.

The New York Times

I've been a regular reader of the column for only a year, but I've never seen the pennants mentioned.

The Guardian - Sport

In addition, a detector is frequently placed on-line after the column for either structure analysis or quantitation or both.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Byrne wrote the column for the next 34 years; he retired in 2006, but the column did not.

The New York Times

A property tax example cited in the column, for a house priced at $1,675,000 on a 6.94-acre lot, was in error.

The New York Times

Clarkson, who is currently suspended from the show over allegations that he punched a producer, wrote the column for the BBC Worldwide-owned title.

The Guardian

Under the column for "Race," the "White" box had initially been checked; evidently, the registrar had taken him for a white man.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the column for", ensure that the context clearly indicates a tabular format or a structured list where information is organized vertically.

Common error

Avoid using "the column for" in contexts where information is presented in a narrative or paragraph form. This phrase is specific to structured data presentation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the column for" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, typically indicating the purpose or content of a specific column within a structured data format. Ludwig's examples highlight its use in diverse contexts, from scientific analyses to news reporting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the column for" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to specify the purpose or content of a column within a structured data presentation. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedia contexts. Ludwig AI analysis points to its neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal usage while primarily serving to clarify tabular information. While alternatives like "the section for" exist, understanding the structured context is key to effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the section dedicated to

Replaces "column" with "section" and uses a more descriptive adjective, which changes the specificity.

the area designated for

Substitutes "column" with "area" and emphasizes the designated purpose, altering the physical implication.

the category pertaining to

Uses "category" instead of "column" to focus on classification, shifting away from spatial reference.

the space allocated for

Emphasizes the allocation of space, replacing "column" with "space", which alters the sense of organization.

the field intended for

Replaces "column" with "field" and highlights intention, focusing on purpose rather than structure.

the slot reserved for

Emphasizes reservation and substitutes "column" with "slot", changing the sense of location.

the heading related to

Focuses on the heading as the identifier, using "heading" instead of "column", changing the frame of reference.

the division assigned to

Emphasizes the act of dividing and assigning, replacing "column" with "division", which changes the structural reference.

the classification under

Highlights classification and uses "under" instead of "for", slightly changing the relational aspect.

the aspect concerning

Shifts focus to a particular aspect or concern, moving away from structural elements.

FAQs

How can I use "the column for" in a sentence?

You can use "the column for" to refer to a specific section in a table or spreadsheet, like "In the report, fill out "the column for" sales figures."

What is a good substitute for "the column for"?

Alternatives include "the section for", "the area designated for", or "the category pertaining to", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "the column for" or "the column of"?

"The column for" is generally used to indicate the purpose or content of a column, while "the column of" refers to the elements within that column. For example, ""the column for" dates" vs "the column of figures".

What's the difference between "the column for" and "the row for"?

"The column for" refers to a vertical section in a table, while "the row for" refers to a horizontal section. For instance, ""the column for" names" contains names listed vertically, and "the row for January" contains data for January listed horizontally.