What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
item
Example
I need to buy some items from the grocery store. [items: noun]
Example
The auctioneer presented each item for bidding one by one. [item: noun]
Example
She listed all the items needed for the recipe. [items: noun]
thing
Example
I forgot my thingamajig at home. [thingamajig: noun]
Example
The whole thing was a disaster. [thing: noun]
Example
That thing you said earlier really hurt my feelings. [thing: pronoun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Thing is more commonly used than item in everyday language. Thing is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while item is more specific and often used in professional or technical settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between item and thing?
Item is generally considered more formal than thing. It is often used in professional or technical contexts where precision and clarity are important, while thing is more casual and informal, and can be used in a variety of contexts.
