a copy of that

USAGE SUMMARY

"a copy of that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a specific instance or version of something that has been copied or replicated. Example: "Please give me a copy of that report." This sentence is requesting a duplicated version of the report that has been mentioned previously.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everyone has a copy of that.

The New York Times

I'd get a copy of that.

Harvard University

I need to find a copy of that.

Vice

I believe I gave you a copy of that.

Vice

Schubert completed a copy of "" that was "somewhat messy".

Wikipedia

This pattern was a copy of that found in Medicago MtPT3 [ 20] and Arabidopsis Pht1 1 [ 37].

BMC Plant Biology

I have a copy of that book.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Wulf declined to release a copy of that letter.

The New York Times

He has refused to disclose a copy of that return.

The Guardian - Opinion

A copy of that letter has also been distributed.

The New York Times

You've got, don't you have a copy of that now?

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When requesting documents or information, clearly specify "a copy of that" followed by the document's name for clarity. For instance, "Can I have a copy of that contract?" is more effective than "Can I have that?".

Common error

Ensure that "that" clearly refers to a previously mentioned item to avoid ambiguity. If the context is unclear, specify what you need a copy of directly: "a copy of the invoice" instead of just "a copy of that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a copy of that" serves as a noun phrase functioning as an object or complement in a sentence. As Ludwig AI reports, the phrase is correct and usable. It is often used to request or refer to a duplicate of something previously mentioned in the conversation or text.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a copy of that" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to request or refer to a duplicate of something already mentioned. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic sources, it maintains a neutral to professional register. Remember to ensure clear context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "a duplicate of that" or "a reproduction of that" can be used in more formal settings. When using this phrase, make sure 'that' refers to something previously discussed, keeping communication clear and concise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A duplicate of that

Replaces 'copy' with 'duplicate', emphasizing an exact replica.

A version of that

Substitutes 'copy' with 'version', indicating a possibly modified form.

A reproduction of that

Uses 'reproduction' instead of 'copy', suggesting a more formal or artistic duplication.

An instance of that

Employs 'instance', focusing on one specific occurrence among many possibilities.

A transcript of that

Replaces 'copy' with 'transcript', implying a written record of spoken words.

A record of that

Uses 'record', suggesting an official or permanent form of documentation.

A representation of that

Employs 'representation' instead of 'copy', to communicate to showcase some information about something.

A parallel version of that

Uses 'parallel version', specifying that there are at least two very similar things.

An excerpt of that

Uses 'excerpt', indicating an small piece of something that has been extracted.

A sample of that

Uses 'sample', indicating an small part of something that want to show some feature from it.

FAQs

How can I use "a copy of that" in a sentence?

Use "a copy of that" when you want to request or refer to a duplicate of something previously mentioned. For example, "Could you send me "a copy of that" email?".

What's a more formal way to say "a copy of that"?

In a formal context, you might say "a duplicate of that" or "a reproduction of that". For example, instead of "I need "a copy of that" document", you could say "I require "a duplicate of that" document".

Which is correct, "a copy of that" or "that copy"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different uses. "A copy of that" refers to a duplicate, while "that copy" refers to a specific copy already under discussion. For example, "I need "a copy of that" invoice" vs "That copy is illegible".

Are there any situations where I shouldn't use "a copy of that"?

Avoid using "a copy of that" when the context doesn't clearly establish what "that" refers to. If there's any ambiguity, specify the item directly. For instance, instead of saying "Can I have "a copy of that"?", say "Can I have "a copy of the report"?".