the index of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the index of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a list of items, such as a list of topics or topics covered in a book or report. For example, 'The index of this book includes chapters on history, literature and science.'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Excluding energy, the index of import prices was unchanged.

The New York Times

The index of order backlogs rose to 39.5 from 38.5.

The New York Times

The index of production rose to the highest since November.

The New York Times

The index of order backlogs dropped to 39.9 from 48.3.

The New York Times

The index of consumer expectations fell to 77.2 from 85.2.

The New York Times

The index of lagging indicators rose 0.3percentt.

The New York Times

The Vatican placed it on the Index of Forbidden Books.

The New York Times - Books

The index of leading economic indicators climbs 0.3 percent.

The New York Times

For more on the index of African governance, see article.

The Economist

Hence the index of a loop is +1.

The New York Times

The index of current conditions fell to 93.5 from 101.2 in August.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the index of", ensure that the following noun accurately reflects what is being indexed, such as "the index of leading economic indicators" or "the index of refraction".

Common error

Avoid using "the index of" when a simple description or measurement is more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "the index of happiness," consider using "the level of happiness" or "happiness score."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the index of" functions primarily as a determiner followed by a noun, creating a noun phrase. This phrase introduces a specific measure, listing, or system of reference. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

26%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the index of" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase across various writing styles. It functions as a noun phrase, introducing a specific measure or system. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable, with examples spanning news, science, and formal business contexts. While versatile, its usage should be precise, ensuring the subsequent noun clearly defines what is being indexed. Alternative phrasing such as "the measure of" or "the indicator of" can provide nuance, but "the index of" remains a direct and recognized way to refer to defined metrics or listings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the measure of

This alternative replaces "index" with "measure", focusing on quantification or assessment rather than a specific list.

the indicator of

This phrase uses "indicator" instead of "index", emphasizing the function of pointing out or signifying something.

the listing of

This alternative replaces "index" with "listing", highlighting the enumeration aspect.

the catalogue of

This substitute uses "catalogue", suggesting a more comprehensive and detailed list.

the directory of

This phrase employs "directory", implying an organized listing with contact or location information.

the gauge of

Substituting "index" with "gauge", highlighting the function of measuring.

the scale of

This alternative replaces "index" with "scale", underscoring the magnitude or extent.

the compilation of

This phrases uses "compilation", implying gathering from different sources.

the inventory of

This alternative replaces "index" with "inventory", highlighting the stock of items.

the register of

This phrases uses "register", implying official record.

FAQs

How can I use "the index of" in a sentence?

You can use "the index of" to refer to a measure or listing, such as "the index of consumer prices" or "the index of forbidden books".

What are some alternatives to "the index of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "the measure of", "the indicator of", or "the listing of".

Is it correct to say "an index of" instead of "the index of"?

Whether to use "an index of" or "the index of" depends on the context. "The index of" is used when referring to a specific, well-defined index, whereas "an index of" might be used when referring to one among several possible indexes.

What does "the index of" usually refer to in economic contexts?

In economic contexts, "the index of" often refers to a statistical measure representing changes in a variable or a group of related variables over time, such as "the index of leading indicators".