working through the list of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working through the list of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the process of systematically checking off items from a list. For example, "I'm working through the list of items we need to buy for the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He did two crossword puzzles a day, sometimes more, working through the list of clues in strict order, as if to remember where he was.

The New York Times - Science

The Financial Services Authority is methodically working through the list of remaining building societies to ensure that they are strong enough to withstand the current financial storm.

The Guardian - Business

But at the time I didn't know that, and tried to make the feeling stop by working through the list of things I thought were the source of my fears: my impending dental bills, my loans and my future.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Next, the instructor proposed to work through the list of student ideas and began by pointing out that there was a wide diversity of answers and that some of them contradicted each other.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

As I worked through the list of techniques I'd collected, the post became so long that I had to split it in half.

Huffington Post

Having worked through the list of samples, monkeys worked through the list of choices.

Cerebral Cortex

Don't just mindlessly work through the list of questions mentioned above.

WikiHow

The move follows confirmation that UK tax authorities had also begun eagerly working through the list looking for possible evidence of discrepancies in British offshore depositors' tax affairs.

The Guardian - Business

John Edwards is taking a more traditional approach, working through the official list of Democrats who showed up to choose a candidate in 2004, as his campaign tries to ensure that it has the name of every likely voter who might be on his side when Iowans gather in 1,781 precinct caucuses across the state on Thursday night.

The New York Times

It depends on your personal taste preferences but it's probably worth trying working through the whole list of ingredient additions at least once, to see if you like it!

WikiHow

At the current rate of progress it would take 50 years to work through the list.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "working through the list of" to clearly convey a systematic and sequential approach to completing tasks or considering items.

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions that obscure who is doing the "working". Instead of "The list was worked through", say "The team is "working through the list of" requirements".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working through the list of" functions as a prepositional phrase that often acts as an adverbial modifier, describing the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates a systematic and sequential approach to addressing or completing a set of items. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "working through the list of" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a systematic process of addressing items on a list. As supported by Ludwig, it functions as a prepositional phrase with an adverbial role, primarily used to indicate the manner of an action. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts. Alternative phrases include "addressing each item on the list" or "systematically reviewing the list". When using the phrase, prioritize active voice and ensure clarity in conveying the methodical approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

working down the list

A more concise way to express the action of systematically dealing with items on the list.

going over the list point by point

Suggests a detailed and incremental inspection.

methodically checking the list

Stresses the organized and precise verification of each item.

systematically reviewing the list

Emphasizes a structured and organized examination of the list's contents.

examining the list item by item

Focuses on a careful and thorough scrutiny of individual items.

addressing each item on the list

Focuses on directly tackling each item, suggesting a problem-solving approach.

processing the items on the list

Highlights the action of dealing with or transforming the items.

tackling each element of the list

Implies a proactive approach to handle each item, often in the face of challenges.

completing the list one by one

Highlights the act of finishing the list through individual actions.

handling each item in the list

Indicates managing or dealing with each item, potentially involving diverse tasks.

FAQs

How can I use "working through the list of" in a sentence?

You can use "working through the list of" to describe a process of systematically addressing items. For example, "The project manager is "working through the list of" tasks to ensure timely completion".

What are some alternatives to "working through the list of"?

Alternatives include "addressing each item on the list", "systematically reviewing the list", or "going over the list point by point", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "working through the list of" or "going through the list of"?

Both "working through the list of" and "going through the list of" are acceptable. "Working through" often implies a more active and thorough process, while "going through" can be more general.

What does it mean to "work down the list"?

"Working down the list" is a more concise and informal way to say "working through the list of". It indicates a systematic effort to address each item sequentially, similar to "working through the list of" but with a slightly less formal tone.