circumstances that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "circumstances that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a clause that describes specific conditions or situations. Example: "We must consider the circumstances that led to the decision before making any changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Under ordinary circumstances that seems easy enough.

The New York Times

Under some circumstances that might be true.

The Economist

"Under normal circumstances, that would be great.

The New York Times

Under the circumstances, that won't be easy.

The New York Times - Sports

Considering the circumstances, that is some performance.

The New York Times

Under the circumstances, that is unlikely.

The New York Times - Magazine

Those are circumstances that could overwhelm anyone.

The New Yorker

In the current circumstances that looks unlikely.

The Guardian - Business

In the current circumstances, that must pass for optimism.

The New York Times

It was just one of those unfortunate circumstances that happened".

The New York Times - Sports

BAD reputations outlive the circumstances that gave rise to them.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "circumstances that", consider the tone and formality of your writing. While generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "conditions which" may be suitable for academic or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "circumstances that" in close proximity within your writing. Vary your sentence structure by using alternative phrases such as "situations where" or by directly specifying the conditions without the introductory phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "circumstances that" functions as a relative clause introducer, connecting a noun phrase (circumstances) to a clause that provides further information or description. This structure allows for specifying the particular conditions or situations relevant to a given context, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

17%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "circumstances that" is a versatile and widely used construction for introducing clauses that specify conditions or situations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent occurrence across diverse contexts, particularly in news, media and general knowledge domains. While alternatives like "situations that" or "conditions that" exist, "circumstances that" maintains a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal writing. Remember to use this phrase judiciously to avoid wordiness and ensure clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conditions which

Replaces "that" with "which", offering a slightly more formal tone.

situations where

Substitutes "circumstances" with "situations", focusing on a specific set of events.

factors that

Emphasizes the elements contributing to a particular outcome.

events that

Highlights specific occurrences influencing a scenario.

the context in which

Shifts the focus to the surrounding environment or background.

the setting where

Similar to "the context in which", but emphasizes the physical or social environment.

the state of affairs that

Offers a more formal and comprehensive view of the existing situation.

the reasons why

Focuses on the underlying causes or justifications for something.

elements that

Highlights specific elements or components within a scenario.

the backdrop against which

Emphasizes the circumstances as a background or setting for an event.

FAQs

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

Use "circumstances that" to introduce a dependent clause that provides specific details about the conditions affecting a particular situation. For example, "We must consider the "circumstances that" led to this decision before making any changes".

What are some alternatives to "circumstances that"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "situations that", "conditions that", or "factors that".

Is it correct to use "circumstances that" in formal writing?

Yes, "circumstances that" is generally acceptable in formal writing. However, for a more sophisticated tone, consider alternatives such as "conditions which" or rephrasing the sentence to avoid the phrase altogether.

What's the difference between "circumstances that" and "situations that"?

While "circumstances" and "situations" are often interchangeable, "circumstances" tends to imply a broader set of conditions influencing an event, whereas "situations that" might refer to more specific occurrences.