) thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase ") thing" is not correct or usable in written English as it appears to be a fragment or an incomplete expression.
It may be intended to refer to a specific "thing" in a context that is not provided, but as it stands, it lacks clarity and coherence. Example: "I can't believe you would say that about the whole ) thing."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But that's not necessarily a bad thing.

The New York Times

Read the whole thing here.

The New York Times

That can only be a good thing".

The Guardian

I'm trying to do the right thing".

The New York Times

It's a bad thing.

The Economist

I've never done anything like this before and, in hindsight, I have realised it was a silly thing to do".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I did not think he could do such a thing".

The Guardian

It wasn't the right thing to do.

The Guardian

I don't know the first thing about it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There was only one thing for it.

The New York Times

Which is a good thing.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using incomplete phrases like ") thing" in formal writing. Instead, clearly specify the noun or concept you're referring to for better clarity.

Common error

Don't leave your readers guessing. Instead of saying ") thing", specify what you're talking about. This makes your writing more precise and easier to understand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase ") thing" functions as an incomplete noun phrase, often used in informal contexts to refer to something already mentioned or implied. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically incorrect in isolation and requires completion for clarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase ") thing" is an incomplete expression that, while commonly used, is considered grammatically incorrect in isolation. As Ludwig AI points out, it lacks clarity and requires further context to be understood. It's most frequently found in news and media sources, indicating an informal register. For formal writing, it's best to use more specific and complete alternatives like "that issue" or "that matter" to ensure clarity and precision. Although widespread, using this phrase can make your text more vague and harder to understand. So, it is important to be aware of this and find a more suitable alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that issue

Replaces the vague ") thing" with a specific reference to a problem or subject under discussion.

that matter

Substitutes ") thing" with a term referring to a specific situation or topic being addressed.

the situation

Replaces ") thing" with a general term for a set of circumstances.

the problem

Uses a more direct term to highlight a difficulty or challenge being discussed.

the topic

Emphasizes the subject under consideration, replacing the vague reference.

the subject

Similar to "the topic", this focuses on the area of discussion.

the event

Specifically refers to an occurrence or incident, instead of the general ") thing".

the detail

Highlights a specific aspect or piece of information.

the item

Replaces ") thing" with a term referring to a particular object or element.

the point

Focuses on a specific idea or argument being made.

FAQs

How to use a phrase like ") thing" correctly?

The phrase ") thing" is inherently incomplete. To use it correctly, you must complete it with the context it refers to. For instance, "the main ) thing is..." is incorrect, it needs to be something like "The main "issue" is...".

What can I say instead of ") thing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "that issue", "that matter", or "the situation". Choose the word that best fits the specific context.

Is it acceptable to use ") thing" in formal writing?

No, it is not acceptable to use ") thing" in formal writing. Formal writing requires precision and clarity, and this expression is too vague. Use more specific alternatives.

What is the difference between ") thing" and "that thing"?

") thing" is an incomplete and grammatically incorrect phrase on its own. "That "thing"" is grammatically correct and refers to a specific object or concept that has been previously mentioned or is understood in the context.