What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
detail
Example
The report provided a lot of detail about the company's financial situation. [detail: noun]
Example
Could you please detail the steps involved in the process? [detail: verb]
item
Example
I need to buy some items from the grocery store. [item: noun]
Example
Let's go through the items on the agenda for the meeting. [item: noun]
Example
The news item about the election results was the top story on the evening news. [item: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Item is more commonly used than detail in everyday language. Item is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while detail is less common and often used in technical or specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between detail and item?
Detail is typically associated with a more formal tone, while item is more neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
