a drift that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a drift that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual change or movement in a particular direction or context. Example: "There is a drift that suggests a shift in public opinion regarding climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Insiders complain of a drift that has reduced the misshapen fastness of City Hall to a "zombie" administration.

The Guardian - Opinion

The woman's husband was working to shovel the car out of a drift that reached as high as the hood and the trunk.

The New York Times

A few minutes later, he got up and made a snowball from a drift that had accumulated beneath a broken skylight, and threw it at me playfully.

The New Yorker

"There was a drift that led parties to use all their means to look for money, and to look in the place where the money was -- i.e., in business," Mr. Chirac said.

The New York Times

Above all a sense of alienation can set in between fans, players and club, a drift that really becomes apparent only when the opposite happens, when teams are built and players produced.

The Guardian - Sport

This would continue a drift that began last year, when the number of women in the House fell by one, to 72. (A special election in New York in May brought the number back to 73).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Electrochemical current and potential noise signals in many cases exhibit a DC drift that should be removed prior to further data analysis.

Electrochimica Acta

The forecasts, combined with European business's general disappointment about the outcome of the presidential election in the United States, helped send stocks lower on the Continent and in London on Wednesday — a downward drift that carried over to Wall Street.

The New York Times

Thus, an unequal competition between wild-type and mutant intestinal stem cells initiates a biased drift that leads to the clonal expansion of crypts carrying oncogenic mutations.

EMBO Reports

It is also shown that the SVD frame significantly improves the aftershock capacity associated to a residual story drift that leads to major alignment or demolition.

Engineering Structures

Alaska Current, surface oceanic current, a branch of the West Wind Drift that forms a counterclockwise gyre in the Gulf of Alaska.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a drift that" to describe subtle, often unintentional changes or deviations from an expected course. It's particularly effective when discussing societal trends, political climates, or personal behaviors.

Common error

While "drift" can be appropriate, avoid overusing it in highly formal or scientific writing where more precise terms like "trend", "shift", or "tendency" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a drift that" is to introduce a relative clause modifying the noun "drift". It specifies the nature or characteristic of the drift being discussed. Ludwig AI validates this usage as correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a drift that" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a gradual change or deviation, often implying a subtle or unintentional shift. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and suggests that it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. While versatile, more precise terms like "trend", "shift", or "tendency" might be preferred in highly formal or scientific writing. Remember to use "a drift that" when you want to emphasize a slow, often unintentional, change or movement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tendency that

Replaces "drift" with "tendency", emphasizing a predisposition toward something.

a trend that

Substitutes "drift" with "trend", highlighting a pattern of change.

a shift that

Replaces "drift" with "shift", stressing a change in direction.

a movement that

Substitutes "drift" with "movement", focusing on a collective progression.

a tendency towards

Emphasizes the direction of the drift.

a progression that

Highlights the gradual and continuous nature of the change.

an inclination that

Focuses on a leaning or predisposition.

a gradual change that

Explicitly states the change is gradual.

a slow development that

Highlights the pace of the change as slow.

an evolving pattern that

Emphasizes the pattern aspect of the drift and its development over time.

FAQs

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

You can use "a drift that" to describe a gradual change or movement. For example: "There is "a drift that" suggests a shift in public opinion."

What can I say instead of "a drift that"?

Alternatives include "a tendency that", "a shift that", or "a trend that", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "a drift that"?

Use "a drift that" when you want to emphasize a slow, often unintentional change or deviation. It's suitable for discussing societal trends, personal behaviors, or political climates.

Is "a drift that" formal or informal?

The phrase "a drift that" is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more precise terminology might be preferred in highly scientific or technical writing.