four that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "four that" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It appears to be a typographical error or a miscommunication, as it does not convey a clear meaning. Example: "I need four that are suitable for the project." (assuming "four that" was meant to refer to items or options).

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He pointed to four that represented helicopters.

The New Yorker

Here are four that stand out.

The New York Times

The four that do not?

The New York Times

Here are four that are succeeding.

The Guardian

BELLAGIO, ITALY — My daughter turned four that day.

The New York Times

Three tubes of chemicals and four that are flush.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is one of four that will cover waterfront neighborhoods.

The New York Times

they have a front four that can wreak havoc on a down-by-down basis.

The New York Times

It's hard to imagine that a final four that consists of the Nos.

The New York Times

And so farewell Roberto Cavalli's prize parrot, one of an original four, that is no longer.

Independent

But if there's only three or four that could be more strokes and still be doable".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Rephrase sentences using relative clauses with "which" or "that" preceded by a preposition like "of" for better grammatical structure. For example, instead of "four that are important", use "four of which are important".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "four that" without a preposition like "of". This construction can sound awkward and is often grammatically incorrect. Replace it with phrases like "four of which" or "four of those" to improve the flow and accuracy of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "four that" functions as a determiner followed by a relative pronoun, attempting to specify a subset of items. However, as pointed out by Ludwig AI, it is often considered grammatically incorrect without an intervening preposition such as "of".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "four that" appears frequently in various sources, especially in news and media, Ludwig AI indicates that it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It attempts to specify a subset of items but lacks the necessary preposition "of" for proper grammatical structure. For improved clarity and correctness, alternatives like "four of which" or "four of them" are recommended, particularly in formal writing. Despite its common occurrence, it's crucial to prioritize grammatical precision to enhance the credibility and readability of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

four of which

More formal and grammatically correct alternative using "of which" to specify from a larger group.

four of them

A simpler and more direct alternative, suitable for informal contexts.

four which

Slightly less common but grammatically acceptable when followed by a verb.

the four that

Adds definiteness, specifying particular four items.

four in number that

Emphasizes the quantity while maintaining grammatical correctness.

a quartet that

Uses "quartet" to specifically refer to a group of four.

four selected that

Highlights the selection process of the four items.

four examples that

Specifies that the four are being used as examples.

four instances that

Refers to the four as specific occurrences or instances.

four items that

More explicit, specifying the 'four' are items.

FAQs

What are some grammatically correct alternatives to "four that"?

Alternatives include "four of which", "four of them", or "the four that", depending on the context. Using "of" helps to clarify the relationship between the number and the items being referenced.

Is "four that" considered grammatically correct in formal writing?

No, "four that" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing. It's better to use phrases like "four of which" or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

How can I rephrase a sentence using "four that" to improve its clarity?

Instead of saying "four that are important", try "four of which are important" or "the four items that are important". This makes the sentence more precise and grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "four that" and "four of those"?

"Four that" is often considered grammatically incorrect, while "four of those" is grammatically sound. "Four of those" implies you are selecting from a previously mentioned group.