a college that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a college that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a specific college and describing its characteristics or functions. Example: "I am looking for a college that offers a strong engineering program."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

During those halcyon days, we blithely sent our oldest off to a college that costs $50,000 a year.

The New York Times

It needs to be a college that fits you.

The New York Times

I know I want a college that will enable me to spread my wings.

The New York Times

She is now enrolled in a college that has an excellent construction management program.

The New York Times

Should wealthy students be entitled to enroll at a college that costs $50,000 a year?

The New York Times

(For a college that does not accept the Common Application, a supplemental essay can be attached).

The New York Times

The crucial thing, though, is finding a college that will feel right to our son.

The New York Times

"I found a college that would take me and that my parents could afford".

The New York Times

But her goal was to help students find a college that is a good fit.

The New York Times

Though he didn't have a stellar academic record, he got into Oberlin, a college that takes chances on applicants.

The New Yorker

When students find themselves in a college that doesn't reflect their interdependent values, they flounder, researchers say.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a college that", ensure the relative clause ('that' clause) clearly and specifically defines or describes the college you are referring to. Be precise in your description to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using overly general descriptions with "a college that". Instead of saying "a college that is good", specify what makes it good, such as "a college that offers strong research opportunities" or "a college that has a high graduation rate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a college that" functions as a relative clause introducer. It is used to specify or describe a college based on certain characteristics or features. This is evident in Ludwig examples, where the phrase is used to define colleges based on their programs, costs, or other attributes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

23%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Science

11%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a college that" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to introduce a relative clause that describes the qualities or characteristics of a college. According to Ludwig, this phrase serves to specify colleges based on attributes like programs, costs or location. The phrase maintains a neutral register making it suitable for various contexts ranging from news articles and academic papers to general discussions. While common across different sources, "a college that" is most frequently found in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure the relative clause offers clear, specific details about the college.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a university that

Replaces "college" with "university", a synonymous term often used interchangeably.

an institution that

Uses "institution" for a more formal and general term encompassing colleges.

a school that

Replaces "college" with "school", a broader term including colleges.

a higher education establishment that

Provides a more descriptive and formal alternative to "college".

a tertiary institution that

Uses "tertiary institution" to specify post-secondary education.

a post-secondary school that

Specifies education level using "post-secondary school" instead of 'college'.

a place of higher learning that

Employs a more poetic and descriptive phrase for 'college'.

an academy that

Substitutes 'college' with 'academy,' implying a specialized institution.

a learning center that

Uses a more general term, "learning center", to describe a college's function.

a campus that

Focuses on the physical location, the "campus", instead of the institution itself.

FAQs

How can I use "a college that" in a sentence?

Use "a college that" to introduce a relative clause that describes a specific attribute or feature of a college. For example, "I am looking for "a college that" has a strong engineering program".

What are some alternatives to saying "a college that"?

You can use alternatives such as "a university that", "an institution that", or "a school that" depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a college who" instead of "a college that"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. Use "that" when referring to institutions or things. "Who" is used for people. Therefore, the correct phrase is ""a college that"".

What is the difference between ""a college that"" and "the college that"?

"A college that" refers to any college that meets a certain criterion, while "the college that" refers to a specific college already identified or known in the context.