What is list? Pronunciation and usage in English

list means . Learn how to pronounce and use list through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of list

listnoun/verb

/lɪst/
Definition & pronunciation of list

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "list" in English. There are actually two common pronunciations!

1. The most common pronunciation (primarily in American English):

  • Sounds like: /ˈlɪst/ (like "list" as in a grocery list)
    • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("li").
    • Vowel sound: The vowel sound is a short "i" sound, as in "bit" or "sit."
    • Final "t": The "t" at the end is pronounced.

2. The British pronunciation (primarily in British English):

  • Sounds like: /lɪst/ (like "mist")
    • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("li").
    • Vowel sound: The vowel sound is a short "i" sound, similar to "mist".
    • Final "t": The "t" is often silent in this pronunciation.

Here's a quick comparison:

Feature American English British English
Sound /ˈlɪst/ /lɪst/
Stress First syllable First syllable
Final "t" Pronounced Often Silent

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from (roughly – e.g., USA, UK, Canada, Australia)?

Usage and examples with the word list in English

Let's break down how to use the word "list" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word! Here's a breakdown of its different meanings and how to use them, with examples:

1. As a Noun (The most common usage):

  • Meaning: A series of items written or printed together, often in a particular order. It's a collection of things.
  • Examples:
    • "I made a list of groceries to buy." (A collection of items)
    • "Could you list the ingredients?" (A series of ingredients)
    • "Here’s a list of my favorite books." (A collection of books)
    • "She’s compiling a list of potential customers." (A collection of people)

2. As a Verb (To create a list):

  • Meaning: To write down or make a list of things.
  • Examples:
    • "I need to list all the countries I've visited." (To write down)
    • "Please list the requirements for the job." (To create a list of requirements)
    • "He’s going to list his assets and liabilities for the divorce." (To make a list)

3. "List" in Phrases (Common expressions):

  • "To make a list": This is a standard phrase meaning to create a list. “I’m going to make a list of things to do today.”
  • "A list of": Used to introduce a list of things. “Here’s a list of our suppliers.”
  • "On the list": Meaning included in a list. “He wasn’t on the list of attendees.”
  • "To be on the list": To be included in a list. “She wants to be on the list of candidates.”
  • "A short list": A small selection of options. “We have a short list of potential contractors.”
  • "A long list": A large collection of items. “I have a very long list of errands to run.”

4. "List" in specific contexts:

  • Music: A "list" can refer to a collection of songs, artists, or albums. “I have a playlist of my favorite 80s songs.” You might also say “Create a list of your favorite artists.”
  • Computer Science: In programming, a "list" is a data structure that holds an ordered collection of items. (This is more technical).

Tips for using "list" correctly:

  • Countable vs. Uncountable: "List" itself is a countable noun (you can have a list, two lists). However, the items on the list are usually uncountable (you have an item, several items).
  • Capitalization: Generally, "list" is not capitalized unless it's the beginning of a sentence.

Could you tell me a little more about how you'd like me to explain "list"? For example:

  • Are you trying to understand a specific sentence where "list" is used?
  • Are you interested in a particular context (like business, school, or hobbies)?

Synonyms for the word list

Idioms of the word list

be on/off the danger list
(British English)to be so ill that you may die; to no longer be very ill

    Practice with vocabulary list

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. Please ______ all the attendees who confirmed their presence for the upcoming conference.
    2. The auditor requested a complete ______ of all assets currently held in the warehouse.
    3. Before we begin, let's ______ a comprehensive report detailing the project's progress this quarter.
    4. The grocery ______ includes ingredients for tonight's dinner and breakfast for the week.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers)

    1. The committee decided to ______ the names of all eligible candidates for the scholarship. a) enroll b) list c) register d) record

    2. Before finalizing the budget, we need a complete ______ of all expected expenditures. a) roster b) summary c) inventory d) list

    3. Could you please ______ the key action points discussed during the meeting? a) enumerate b) outline c) state d) list

    4. The new regulations mandate that all sensitive data must be kept under strict ______. a) surveillance b) scrutiny c) confidentiality d) protection

    5. After the accident, the company received a formal ______ requesting detailed information about the incident. a) inquiry b) petition c) request d) demand

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Original: The department needs to record every piece of equipment in the lab. (Rewrite using "list" or related word forms)

    2. Original: The project manager gave us a comprehensive outline of all the deliverables. (Rewrite using "list" or related word forms)

    3. Original: The training session will cover all the steps required for system setup. (Rewrite without using "list")

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. list
    2. inventory
    3. compile
    4. list

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. b) list, c) register, d) record
    2. d) list
    3. a) enumerate, b) outline, d) list
    4. c) confidentiality, d) protection
    5. a) inquiry, c) request

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The department needs to list every piece of equipment in the lab.
    2. The project manager provided a comprehensive listing of all the deliverables.
    3. The training session will enumerate all the steps required for system setup.

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