firm that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "firm that" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely a misinterpretation of "confirm that" or "affirm that," which are used to express agreement or validation. Example: "I can confirm that the meeting is scheduled for 10 AM."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rare is the firm that switches provider.

The Economist

The firm that underwrote the I.P.O.

The New York Times

A firm that hired Del.

The Washington Post

(Mr. McVey is employed by a firm that owns a brokerage firm that fits that description).

The New York Times

There's one firm that uses five years of data.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That's one firm that doesn't have a cash problem.

The Economist

Second, Wachtell portrays itself as a firm that favors management.

The New York Times

They own a firm that can, and does….

The New Yorker

Benthem Crouwel, the Amsterdam firm that designed it, hasn't explained.

The New York Times - Arts

Instead, it is his firm that has been indicted.

The New Yorker

If it did not suit your firm, that was tough.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider if more descriptive words such as “business”, “organization” or “agency” could better replace "firm" in the context of the sentence. Be specific about the nature of the company.

Common error

Avoid using "firm that" as it is often seen as grammatically incorrect in formal writing. Always double-check your sentence structure to ensure correct relative pronoun usage. Opt for clearer and more precise language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "firm that" typically introduces a relative clause, aiming to specify or describe a particular firm. While common, it is often seen as grammatically incorrect in formal contexts. Ludwig AI highlights this, suggesting that the phrase is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "firm that" is frequently used across various contexts, including news and academia, it's grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI emphasizes that it is not considered correct in standard written English. For improved clarity and formality, consider alternatives such as "company which", "business that", or "organization that". Always prioritize grammatical accuracy in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

company which

Replaces 'that' with 'which', providing a grammatically standard relative pronoun to refer to a company.

organization which

Substitutes "firm" with "organization", offering a broader term while maintaining the relative clause structure.

business that

Replaces "firm" with "business", a common synonym, maintaining the original structure.

the company that

Adds 'the' for specificity, highlighting a particular company being referred to.

the entity that

Replaces "firm" with "entity", providing a more formal and abstract reference to an organization.

the group that

Uses "group" instead of "firm", suggesting a collection of people working together.

the establishment that

Replaces "firm" with "establishment", emphasizing the formal and established nature of the organization.

an enterprise that

Substitutes "firm" with "enterprise", highlighting the initiative and ambition of the company.

a practice that

Uses "practice" as a replacement for "firm", more suited for professional services.

the agency that

Replaces "firm" with "agency", implying a specific function or representation.

FAQs

How can I correctly use a relative clause after the word "firm"?

To correctly use a relative clause, replace "firm that" with "firm which" or "a firm that is". This ensures grammatical correctness.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "firm that"?

Instead of "firm that", consider using alternatives such as "company that", "business that", or "organization that", depending on the context.

Is "firm that" grammatically correct in formal writing?

No, "firm that" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use "company which" or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

How does using "firm that" impact the clarity of my writing?

Using "firm that" can make your writing sound less polished and professional. Opting for grammatically correct alternatives like "company that" or "business that" enhances clarity and credibility.