these items

USAGE SUMMARY

"these items" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It functions as a noun phrase, referring to the objects that were previously mentioned or implied. For example: I purchased these items at the store yesterday.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Why these items?

The New Yorker

Order these items.

The New York Times

Lists some of these items.

The New Yorker

These items have been corrected.

The Guardian - Opinion

These items can tell of other things.

The New York Times

Guess who covers these items?

Forbes

In what way are these items similar?

Forbes

(Now I'm making these items up).

Forbes

These items normally retail for over $300.

Forbes

Some of these items require lead time.

Science Magazine

These items are legion.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "these items", ensure the context clearly establishes what items are being referenced to avoid ambiguity. For example, explicitly list or describe the items beforehand.

Common error

Avoid using "these items" without a clear prior reference. If the items haven't been explicitly mentioned, the reader may not understand what you're referring to, leading to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "these items" functions as a noun phrase, where "these" acts as a demonstrative adjective specifying which "items" are being referred to. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable function in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "these items" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to reference specific objects previously mentioned or understood within the context. While it appears across diverse sources like wikis, news media, and formal business documents, it's crucial to provide clear context to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "the aforementioned items" or "the listed items" for more formal or specific scenarios. Remember, clarity is key: if the items haven't been explicitly mentioned, ensure you define them to prevent reader confusion. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and Forbes demonstrate its usage in professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the aforementioned items

Replaces "these" with a more formal adjective indicating previous mention.

the listed items

Suggests the items are part of a list.

the specified items

Indicates the items have been specifically named or designated.

the aforementioned things

Uses "things" instead of "items" with a formal adjective.

the articles in question

Emphasizes that the items are under discussion or consideration.

the objects in question

More formal, replaces items with "objects" indicating they are under discussion.

the things being discussed

Highlights that the items are the subject of a conversation.

the aforementioned objects

Replaces "items" with "objects" and includes a formal adjective.

the points at issue

Focuses on the items as points of contention or debate.

the subjects in question

Replaces 'items' with 'subjects', emphasizing a topic or theme.

FAQs

How can I use "these items" in a sentence?

Use "these items" to refer to a specific set of things that have already been mentioned or are understood in the context. For example, "I need to return "these items" to the store."

What are some alternatives to saying "these items"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "the aforementioned items", "the listed items", or "the objects in question".

Is it more formal to say "these items" or "these things"?

"These items" is generally considered slightly more formal than "these things", but both are acceptable in most contexts. The best choice depends on the overall tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "these items" and "those items"?

"These items" refers to things that are nearby or under immediate consideration, while "those items" refers to things that are further away or were mentioned earlier in the conversation.