the foregoing items

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the foregoing items" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to items or points that have been mentioned earlier in a document or conversation. Example: "Please review the terms outlined in the contract, including the foregoing items, before signing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Considering each of the foregoing items, the court concludes that the jury had the prerogative of awarding up to one million, one hundred thousand dollars for this element of damages.

Harvard University

This term includes, but shall not be limited to, objects made or used by humans, such as pottery, basketry, bottles, weapons, weapon projectiles, tools, structures or portions of structures, pit houses, rock paintings, rock carvings, intaglios, or any portion or piece of the foregoing items, and the physical site, location or context in which they are found, or human skeletal materials or graves.

Cornell University

This term includes, but shall not be limited to, objects made or used by humans, such as pottery, basketry, bottles, weapons, weapon projectiles, tools, structures or portions of structures, or any portion or piece of the foregoing items, and the physical site, location, or context in which they are found, or human skeletal materials or graves.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In an attempt to avoid any obligation to secure a license and pay royalties to Oracle, Google was careful to refrain from using the foregoing reserved items.

Forbes

Repeat the foregoing process to combine small stacks of closely-related items into bigger stacks of somewhat-related items until you have three to five stacks with similar numbers of items.

WikiHow

However, the final circumstances could vary from the foregoing".

The New York Times

(23 Commission correspondence relating to the foregoing.

Cornell University

The foregoing came seconds before Lucas got his comeuppance.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Indeed how can any of the foregoing be objectionable?

The Guardian - Opinion

Nature of attempts at the foregoing: brash, loud, snarling.

The New York Times

The parties concede the foregoing rules.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal or formal documents, "the foregoing items" can provide a concise way to group and reference a set of previously discussed elements, enhancing the document's structure.

Common error

Avoid using "the foregoing items" if the items being referenced are not immediately clear or if there are intervening elements that could cause confusion. Reiterate the items or use a more specific reference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the foregoing items" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically used to refer back to a list or series of items that have already been mentioned. As Ludwig AI shows, it's common in formal contexts, serving to create cohesion and avoid repetition.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

60%

News & Media

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the foregoing items" is a formal phrase used to refer back to previously mentioned items, primarily found in academic and legal contexts. While grammatically correct, it's relatively rare and should be used judiciously to ensure clarity. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in formal writing, and alternatives like "the aforementioned items" or "the above items" can be used depending on the context. Using "the foregoing items" effectively involves ensuring the reference is clear and unambiguous to the reader.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The aforementioned items

Uses a more formal tone to refer to items previously discussed.

The previously mentioned items

Directly indicates that the items were mentioned earlier.

The above items

Indicates items listed above in the text.

The stated items

Emphasizes that the items have been explicitly stated.

The listed items

Refers to a set of items that have been presented as a list.

The specified items

Implies the items have been precisely defined or identified.

The noted items

Suggests the items have been observed or taken into account.

The detailed items

Highlights that the items have been thoroughly described.

The identified items

Emphasizes that the items have been recognized or distinguished.

The points above

A less formal way to refer to previous points.

FAQs

What does "the foregoing items" mean?

The phrase "the foregoing items" refers to items that have been previously mentioned or listed in a document or conversation. It's used to avoid repetition and to refer back to something already established.

How can I use "the foregoing items" in a sentence?

You can use "the foregoing items" to group previously mentioned elements, such as: "Please review the terms outlined in the contract, including "the aforementioned items", before signing."

What are some alternatives to "the foregoing items"?

Some alternatives include "the aforementioned items", "the previously mentioned items", or "the above items". The best choice depends on the context and level of formality.

Is "the foregoing items" formal or informal?

"The foregoing items" is generally considered a formal phrase, often used in legal, academic, or business contexts. For more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "the above" or "the previous ones" may be more appropriate.