Of those

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Of those" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific subset of a larger group that has already been mentioned or identified. Example: "Of those who applied for the scholarship, only five were selected for interviews."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of those, 63 graduated.

The New York Times

Of those, 42 died.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Of those, only Schectman survives.

The New York Times - Sports

Of those, 22 have died.

The New York Times

Of those, 302 were fatal.

The New York Times

Of those, 15 were convicted.

Independent

Of those, 120 lost limbs.

BBC

Of those, 66% are children.

Los Angeles Times

Of those, 14 are LDCs.

Unicef

Think of those sounds.

The New York Times

Neither of those.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "of those" to clearly indicate you are referring to a specific subset of a larger group already discussed. Ensure the context makes it clear which group you are referencing.

Common error

Avoid using "of those" if the group you are referring to hasn't been clearly defined in the preceding sentences. This can lead to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of those" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a subset of a previously mentioned group. It clarifies the scope of a statement, indicating that it applies only to a specific selection. Ludwig's examples highlight this function across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of those" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to refer to a specific subset of a previously mentioned group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in news and formal business contexts and is generally considered to have a neutral register. While there are alternative phrases like "among those" or "from those", the key is to ensure clarity in the context. Avoiding vague references is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Among those

Replaces "of" with "among", offering a slightly more formal tone.

Of that group

Similar to "of those", but uses the word "group" for clarity.

From those

Substitutes "of" with "from", indicating selection from a group.

Within that group

Highlights that the selection is made within a specific group.

Out of those

Emphasizes the selection process from a larger set.

From that set

Uses "set" instead of "those", suitable when referring to a defined collection.

In that subset

Specifically refers to a subset, which might be clearer in some contexts.

Of that number

More explicitly refers to a numerical quantity previously specified.

Of the aforementioned

More formal and explicitly refers to something previously mentioned.

Regarding those

Shifts the focus to 'those' being the subject of discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "of those" in a sentence?

Use "of those" to refer back to a specific group or number you've already mentioned. For example, "We interviewed ten candidates; "of those", only three were qualified."

What's a more formal alternative to "of those"?

A more formal alternative could be "among those" or "from that number", depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "of those"?

It's generally correct, but avoid using it if the reference is unclear. Make sure the reader knows exactly which group you're talking about.

What's the difference between "of those" and "from those"?

"Of those" typically refers to a characteristic or action related to a subset. "From those" implies selection or origin. For example, "Of those who applied, many were qualified" versus "Gifts were received "from those" present."