unrelated items

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unrelated items" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to items that do not have a connection or relevance to each other. For example, "The box contained unrelated items such as a book, a toy, and a kitchen utensil." Alternative expressions include "disparate items," "unconnected items," and "independent items."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

The Senate has long recognized the temptation by conferees to insert unrelated items into the compromise bill.

The New York Times

It is derived from rig-my-role, which some etymologists say is derived from a ragman's roll or backpack containing a variety of unrelated items.

The New York Times - Magazine

Few find it easy to sort out the candidates' proposals on prescription drugs, trigger locks, school vouchers, military preparedness and a dozen other seemingly unrelated items.

The New York Times

Mr. Salomon discovered that the company was manipulating the indirect costs billed to the government, so that it was padding the bills with unrelated items.

The New York Times

He also did paintings of bowling balls, olives, marbles, amphetamine pills, and other unrelated items that seemed to hover just above the canvas, and drawings in which three-dimensional words appeared to rise up from the surface like paper cutouts.

The New Yorker

Some members of Congress said the aid package was too large and bloated by unrelated items, including $150 million for fisheries in Alaska and $2 million for museum roofs in Washington.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Once they are back in the store, they could also buy an unrelated item.

The Guardian

So here you go: in what has to be a completely unrelated item, the House announced that it has now passed a total of 420 bills that the Senate has failed to act upon.

Huffington Post

"There is no justification for assuming that an excess of one specific item on the receipts side of the balance of payments will always be available to finance an excess of another specific but unrelated item on the payments side".

FAO

"There is no justification for assuming that an excess of one specific item on the receipts side of the balance of payments will always be available to finance an excess of another specific but unrelated item on the payments side".30 For example, high cereal prices could coincide with high prices of non-cereal imports.

FAO

Thus, in their recognition judgments adults relied on item-specific recollection, discriminating between studied and unrelated nonstudied items, and also on gist-based memory, discriminating between FAs to critical lures and unrelated lures, to a greater extent than younger children.

Cerebral Cortex

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase to describe items that are subtly related; instead, opt for more specific descriptors that address the nuances of their connection (e.g., tenuously linked).

Common error

The most common mistake is assuming items are "unrelated" simply because their connection isn't immediately apparent. Always consider deeper relationships or underlying themes before labeling items as completely unrelated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unrelated items" functions primarily as a noun phrase where "unrelated" modifies the noun "items". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unrelated items" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a collection of objects or concepts lacking a clear connection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and business, maintaining a neutral tone. When employing this term, consider the potential for underlying connections and ensure clarity in your descriptions. Alternatives like "dissimilar objects" or "disconnected elements" can provide nuanced variations. Be mindful of misinterpreting a lack of obvious connection as a complete absence of relation. It's also worth to notice that is not used as often on Social Media or Reference contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unrelated objects

Uses a synonym for "items" maintaining a similar grammatical structure.

disconnected elements

Focuses on the lack of connection between the items.

dissimilar objects

Emphasizes the difference in nature between the items.

mismatched components

Highlights the lack of compatibility or coherence.

miscellaneous objects

Indicates a mixed bag of items with no particular relation.

assorted articles

Indicates a diverse collection without a specific theme.

heterogeneous collection

Stresses the variety and dissimilarity within the group.

disparate things

Emphasizes the distinctness and lack of commonality.

unconnected matters

Highlights the absence of a linking relationship between subjects.

independent entities

Focuses on the autonomy and separation of individual items.

FAQs

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

You can use "unrelated items" to describe a collection of things that don't seem to have a connection. For example, "The box contained "unrelated items" such as a book, a toy, and a kitchen utensil."

What are some alternatives to "unrelated items"?

Some alternatives include "dissimilar objects", "disconnected elements", or "mismatched components", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always accurate to describe things as "unrelated items"?

Not necessarily. While they may appear disconnected at first glance, deeper analysis might reveal subtle links between the items. Be sure of the degree of unrelatedness before using this classification.

What's the difference between "unrelated items" and "miscellaneous objects"?

"Unrelated items" emphasizes the lack of apparent connection, while "miscellaneous objects" simply means a varied assortment. "Miscellaneous" suggests a collection without a specific purpose or category, but the items could still be related in some way.