a type that

USAGE SUMMARY

"a type that" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a group of things that have something in common. For example, "Football is a type of sport that people around the world enjoy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Is there a type that works best?

The New York Times

"It has attracted a type that said: 'I want it.

The New York Times - Style

His lymphoma was a type that responded well to treatment.

The New Yorker

I use a small, firm, waxy potato – a type that won't fall apart.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Optionals An optional type is a type that might contain a value of a type.

The Guardian - Tech

He was of the great and good, a type that was vaguely familiar to me.

The New Yorker

Each band member plays a character, a type that might be found in any middle school lunchroom.

The New York Times

Mr. Milken avoided pleading to those charges, but he did admit market manipulation of a type that was clearly illegal.

The New York Times

Yet it has also produced a robust Pakistani nationalism of a type that is much harder to find in Nigeria.

The New Yorker

It's a type that finds its origin in many a high-school cafeteria: the mean girl (boys may also apply).

The New Yorker

San Francisco banned plastic bags last year unless they are of a type that breaks down easily.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a type that", ensure the relative clause that follows clearly defines the characteristic that distinguishes that type. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a type that" with plural nouns or pronouns if you're referring to a single instance. For example, instead of "a type of cars that is fast", use "a type of car that is fast".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a type that" functions as a determiner followed by a relative clause, introducing a specific category or class based on a shared characteristic. Ludwig confirms its validity, as seen in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

17%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a type that" serves as a versatile phrase for classifying and specifying categories based on shared traits. Grammatically sound and widely accepted, it appears most frequently in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage, further supported by numerous real-world examples. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to maintain grammatical agreement and clarity when employing this phrase. Alternatives like "a kind that" or "a sort that" offer stylistic variations without altering the core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a kind that

Replaces "type" with "kind", a synonym, maintaining similar grammatical structure and meaning.

a sort that

Substitutes "type" with "sort", offering a slight variation in phrasing while conveying the same classification concept.

a variety that

Employs "variety" instead of "type", emphasizing differences within a broader category.

a form that

Uses "form" to specify a particular shape or structure within a category, shifting the focus slightly.

a category that

Replaces "type" with "category", focusing on the classification aspect more explicitly.

a class that

Employs "class" to indicate a group with shared characteristics, providing a formal tone.

one that

Simplifies the structure, omitting "type" and focusing directly on the characteristic that defines the category.

something that

Broadens the scope to include non-specific items, maintaining the relative clause structure.

an example that

Shifts the focus to illustrating the point with a specific instance.

a manner that

Uses "manner" to describe how something is done, representing a shift from 'type' to 'way'.

FAQs

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

Use "a type that" to specify a characteristic or attribute of a particular category or kind. For instance, "This is "a fruit that" is known for its high vitamin C content".

What are some alternatives to "a type that"?

You can use phrases like "a kind that", "a sort that", or "a variety that" to convey a similar meaning.

How does "a type that" differ from "the type that"?

"A type that" refers to any instance of a category, while "the type that" refers to a specific, previously identified type. For example, "I prefer "a type that" is easy to grow" versus "I need "the type that" you recommended last week".

Is it correct to say "a type of that" instead of "a type that"?

No, the correct phrase is "a type that". "A type of that" is not grammatically standard in this context. You would generally use "a type of X" where X is a noun (e.g., "a type of car"), but when introducing a relative clause, omit "of".