are that they

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are that they" is not correct and usable in written English.
It appears to be a fragment and lacks proper context or structure to convey a clear meaning. Example: "The main issues are that they are not being addressed properly."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The earliest indications are that they can.

The Economist

The chances are that they will not.

The Economist

The chances are that they will say yes.

The Economist

"All indications are that they were al-Shabaab militants.

The Guardian

"They say, 'Iranians are this, they are that, they are the most educated immigrant.

The New Yorker

The rules are that they must stay awake for 46 hours and stay on their feet.

The New York Times

The reason they are effective are that they rely on human visual perception.

The New York Times

Early indications are that they could have struck a major oil deposit.

The Economist

Their chief limitations are that they become brittle, yellow, and less soluble with age.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I was under the impression, as most people are, that they were fantastically, mindblowingly stupid.

The New Yorker

Things could still change this season, although the odds are that they will not.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the subject preceding "are that they" is plural and the structure is grammatically sound. Often, rephrasing to "the issues are that they..." improves clarity and correctness.

Common error

A common mistake is using "are that they" after a singular subject. Correct this by ensuring the verb agrees with the subject. For example, instead of "the problem are that they...", use "the problem is that they...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are that they" typically functions as part of a larger sentence structure, often within a clause that explains or elaborates on a preceding subject. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase can be misused if the subject-verb agreement is incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are that they" is a common element in English writing, frequently used to elaborate or explain a preceding point. Ludwig AI highlights that while widespread, it is prone to grammatical errors, particularly in subject-verb agreement. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from News & Media to scientific publications. To ensure correct usage, verify that the subject is plural and consider rephrasing for enhanced clarity when necessary. For example, you can rewrite to "the issue is that they" instead. Always pay attention to sentence structure to avoid the identified pitfalls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is that they

Changes plural "are" to singular "is" to reflect a singular subject, modifying agreement.

is the fact that they

Adds "the fact" for emphasis and clarity, focusing on presenting information directly.

the issue is that they

Replaces the generic verb "are" with "is" to highlight the problem.

the point is that they

Specifies the intent is to highlight an essential element or idea.

the problem is that they

Specifies the intent is to highlight an issue or challenge.

it seems that they

Shifts from a declarative to a more tentative presentation of evidence.

it appears that they

Emphasizes the visual or evidential aspect of information being presented.

indications suggest they

Highlights using evidence to lead to a likely conclusion.

evidence shows they

Focuses on backing claims with concrete support, often in objective contexts.

data indicates they

Specifically used to link information from datasets to draw conclusions.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the phrase "are that they" in a sentence?

Ensure the subject preceding "are" is plural. For example, "The main issues "are that they" are not being addressed properly."

What is a common mistake to avoid when using "are that they"?

Avoid using "are that they" after a singular subject. Instead, use "is that they". For example, "The problem is "is that they" are not listening."

Which is more grammatically correct, "is that they" or "are that they"?

The correct usage depends on the subject. Use "is that they" with singular subjects and "are that they" with plural subjects. The phrase "the problem is that" is more common than "the problem are that".

What are some alternatives to "are that they" that might provide more clarity?

Consider alternatives such as "the problems are that", "the issues are", or rephrasing the sentence entirely for better clarity. For example, instead of "the reasons are that they failed", try "they failed because...".