What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
article
Example
I read an interesting article about climate change in the newspaper. [article: noun]
Example
The article states that all employees must wear a uniform. [article: noun]
item
Example
I need to buy a few items from the grocery store. [item: noun]
Example
The first item on the agenda is the budget report. [item: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Item is more commonly used than article in everyday language. Item is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while article is more specific to certain domains such as journalism and publishing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between article and item?
While article is generally more formal, especially when referring to written content, item is more neutral and can be used in both formal and informal situations.