FormaTeX
FatalCommands & Packages

Missing \item in List

! LaTeX Error: Something's wrong--perhaps a missing \item.

What this error means

Text or content was placed directly inside an itemize, enumerate, or description environment without an \item command. Every piece of content inside a list must be introduced by \item.

Common causes

  • Text placed inside the list body before the first \item
  • A blank line or paragraph inside the list without a preceding \item
  • Nested environment opened directly without starting with \item

How to fix it

Ensure every top-level item inside itemize, enumerate, or description is preceded by \item. If you need sub-lists, nest environments properly — each level still needs \item for each entry.

Code examples

Causes the error
\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}

\begin{itemize}
  This text has no item marker.
  \item Second item
\end{itemize}

\end{document}
Fixed
\documentclass{article}
\begin{document}

\begin{itemize}
  \item First item
  \item Second item
\end{itemize}

\end{document}

Related errors

Undefined Control Sequence

! Undefined control sequence.

Environment Undefined

! LaTeX Error: Environment XXX undefined.

Command Already Defined

! LaTeX Error: Command \XXX already defined.

Unknown Package Option

! LaTeX Error: Unknown option 'XXX' for package 'YYY'.

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