he is that

USAGE SUMMARY

'he is that' is not a complete sentence in English.
To use it correctly, you must provide more context. For example, you could say: "I think he is that person I saw last week."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He is that close".

Independent

He is that person".

The New York Times

He is that sort of professional.

Independent

"He is that kind of person.

The New York Times

"He is that nice a guy".

The New York Times - Sports

In this league he is that good.

The Guardian - Sport

I really believe he is that good".

The Guardian - Sport

Snowden looks like that guy, because he is that guy.

The Guardian

Because, as he says, he is "that kind of guy".

The New York Times

And Braun, as clutch as he is, that was huge".

The New York Times - Sports

If you know where he is, that would be helpful.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the phrase "he is that" is followed by clarifying information to complete the thought and provide context. For example, "He is that kind of leader who inspires loyalty."

Common error

Avoid using "he is that" as a standalone sentence. It requires a complement to express a complete thought. Without it, the phrase lacks clarity and leaves the reader wondering what 'that' refers to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is that" functions as an incomplete predication, requiring a complement to fully express a thought. Ludwig AI highlights this grammatical dependency, indicating that additional context is necessary for the phrase to be meaningful.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "he is that" appears frequently, it is grammatically incomplete and requires additional context to convey a clear meaning. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase needs a complement to fully express the intended thought. Its prevalence in news and media indicates a neutral register, but writers should ensure clarity by providing sufficient context. Consider using alternative phrases like "that is who he is" or "he's that type of person" to enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity. Remember to always complete the thought when using "he is that" to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is who he is

Emphasizes identity, highlighting his inherent nature.

he's that type of person

Indicates his belonging to some specific category of personalities.

that's the kind of person he is

Focuses on his typical behavior and character traits.

that's what he's like

Focuses on describing his general behavior and personality.

that's just him

Highlights his immutable character, showing how a specific trait is natural to him.

he embodies that quality

Highlights a specific characteristic or attribute he possesses.

that's his nature

Indicates his inherent character, showing how a specific trait is part of who he is.

that's part of his identity

Highlights that a specific quality is inseparable from his persona.

he personifies that ideal

Indicates he serves as the perfect example of a particular concept.

he represents that value

Shows his actions and beliefs align with a certain principle.

FAQs

How can I properly use "he is that" in a sentence?

To properly use "he is that", you need to complete the thought by adding a noun, adjective, or phrase that clarifies what "that" refers to. For example, "He is that one friend you can always count on" or "He is that good".

What does "he is that kind of person" mean?

The phrase "he is that kind of person" suggests that the individual possesses certain qualities or characteristics typical of a specific group or category. For instance, "He is that kind of person who always helps others."

What are some alternatives to "he is that"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "that is who he is", "he's that type of person", or "that's the kind of person he is".

Is it grammatically correct to say just "he is that"?

No, it is not grammatically correct to say just "he is that" without adding a complement to clarify what you're referring to. It needs additional information to make it a complete sentence.