individuals that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "individuals that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to people in a general sense, often in contexts discussing characteristics or actions of a group. Example: "Individuals that participate in community service often report higher levels of satisfaction in their lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For individuals, that refers to earning power.

The New York Times

Individuals that will not lose".

The New York Times

Identify any individuals that show resistance.

The Guardian

What a triangle of gifted individuals that is.

The Guardian - Sport

"They were four individuals that had a friendship.

The Guardian

We have individuals that have shown negative behaviour.

The Guardian - Sport

What about individuals that could be suspects of collusion?

The Washington Post

"We had some performances from individuals that really bemused me.

Independent

"These are individuals that are worthy of our attention.

The New York Times

Publication could also prejudice any actions against individuals that might follow, it says.

The Guardian

Individuals that might not qualify under the rules of membership are now eligible".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "individuals that" is grammatically correct, consider using "people who" for a more common and less formal tone in general writing. This can make your writing more accessible and easier to read.

Common error

Avoid using "individuals that" excessively in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "people who" or even just "those" often sound more natural and less stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "individuals that" functions as a relative clause, modifying the noun "individuals" by introducing a characteristic, condition, or action associated with those individuals. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct. Examples in Ludwig show it often introduces a defining attribute.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "individuals that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to specify a group of people based on a shared characteristic or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's generally correct, although "people who" might be preferred in less formal contexts. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and business writing. While functional, overuse can sound stilted in casual communication, so consider simpler alternatives like "people who" or "those who" to maintain a natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

people who

Uses a simpler and more common term, replacing "individuals" with "people" and restructuring the relative clause.

those who

Employs a more concise and formal construction using "those" instead of "individuals that".

persons who

Substitutes "individuals" with the more formal "persons", maintaining a similar grammatical structure.

those individuals

Reorders the phrase slightly, emphasizing "those" before specifying "individuals".

people which

Uses "which" instead of "that", acceptable but less common for referring to people.

those people that

Adds "people" after "those", making the phrase more explicit but slightly redundant.

members who

Replaces "individuals" with "members", suitable when referring to a group with membership.

participants who

Uses "participants" instead of "individuals", appropriate when referring to people involved in an activity.

subjects that

Employs "subjects" instead of "individuals", often used in research or studies.

figures that

Replaces "individuals" with "figures", best used when emphasizing someone's role in a particular context.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "individuals that"?

The phrase "individuals that" is appropriate in formal writing and when you want to emphasize the distinctness or specific characteristics of the people being discussed. In more casual contexts, "people who" is often preferred.

Is "individuals that" more formal than "people who"?

Yes, "individuals that" tends to be more formal than "people who". The choice depends on the context and the desired tone of your writing.

What are some alternatives to "individuals that"?

Some alternatives include "those who", "persons who", or simply "people who", depending on the level of formality you're aiming for.

Can I use "which" instead of "that" in "individuals which"?

While grammatically acceptable, using "which" in "individuals which" is less common and generally less preferred than "individuals that". "That" is the more standard relative pronoun in this context.