partials - First argument in form cannot contain nil or be empty, rails -

attempting use form_for, have been getting error "first argument in form cannot contain nil or empty." error highlited in first line: <%= form_for @item |f| %> #------error highlited here <%= f.label :task %> <%= f.text_field :name, placeholder: "what have do?" %> <% end %> partial: <%= form_for @item |f| %> <%= f.label :task %> <%= f.text_field :name, placeholder: "what have do?" %> <% end %> controller: ```

class itemscontroller < applicationcontroller   def index     @items = item.all   end    def new     @item = item.new   end    def create     @item = item.new     @item.name = params[:item][:name]     @item.user = current_user      if @item.save       flash[:notice] = "item added; go accomplish it!"     else       flash.now[:alert] = "uh oh, didn't save. try again."       render :new     end   end    def show     @item = item.find(params[:id])   end end 

```

and, show view(where call partial): <%= render partial: 'items/form', item: item.new, locals: {items: @item} %>

so far, research has indicated problem in of these files. have seen write, <%= form_for item.new |f| %>, want avoid because have recommended against it. how error fixed? how make sure first argument isn't empty/nil?(i did create item in rails console)

putting both answers below together, should use:

<%= render partial: 'items/form',  locals: {item: @item} %> 

and call variable as:

<%= form_for item |f| %> 

when saying locals: { item: @item } saying "access instance variable '@item' 'item'"