are that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are that" is not correct and usable in written English.
It typically appears to be a fragment and lacks proper context or structure to convey a complete thought. Example: "The reasons are that we need more time and resources."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are that close".

The New York Times - Sports

You are that guy!

The New York Times

Ships really are that cheap.

The Economist

His movies are that way, too".

The New Yorker

"You are that person," she says.

The New York Times

The stakes for both are that high.

The New York Times - Sports

There we are, that will be £700".

Independent

"Wherever we are, that is Russia".

Independent

That my children really are that selfish?

The New York Times

We are that guy.

The Guardian - Tech

(They are that good).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "are that" in your writing. Instead, identify the correct subject-verb agreement and rephrase your sentence for clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "are that" when the subject of the sentence is singular. Always ensure your verb agrees with the subject; use "is that" for singular subjects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are that" is typically used incorrectly. Ludwig AI indicates it often appears as a fragment and lacks proper grammatical context. The correct usage depends on the intended meaning and subject-verb agreement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are that" is generally grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Ludwig AI identifies that it often appears as a fragment and lacks proper grammatical context. Instead, consider using alternatives such as "is that" or rephrasing the sentence to ensure correct subject-verb agreement. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate the contexts in which this phrase appears, but they also highlight its problematic usage. Always prioritize grammatical correctness for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is

Reverses the order and uses 'is' instead of 'are' to correct subject-verb agreement when referring to a singular subject.

those are

Uses 'those' to specify multiple items, clarifying the subject and correcting the verb agreement.

that's because

Introduces a reason or explanation, changing the structure to a causal statement.

the reason is that

Provides a more formal construction to introduce an explanation or cause.

the facts are that

Emphasizes that what follows is factual, adding weight to the statement.

the details are that

Focuses on specific details or information, making the statement more concrete.

it is that

Emphasizes a particular aspect or characteristic, adding focus to the subject.

they are that

Specifies a plural subject, correcting the verb agreement and clarifying the reference.

chances are that

Indicates probability or likelihood, changing the phrase to an expression of chance.

indications are that

Suggests evidence or signs pointing to a particular conclusion, shifting the focus to indicators.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "are that" in a sentence?

Generally, "are that" is grammatically incorrect. A better approach would be to use "is that" when referring to a singular subject, or rephrase the sentence entirely for clarity.

What can I say instead of "are that"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "that is", "those are", or rephrase the sentence to use constructions like "the reason is that".

Which is correct, "are that" or "is that"?

"Is that" is generally the correct form, especially when referring to a singular subject. "Are that" is rarely grammatically sound.

When would "are that" be considered acceptable?

In most standard English contexts, "are that" is not considered acceptable. It's better to use grammatically correct alternatives to ensure clear communication.