is that they

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence fragment "is that they" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is a common phrase used to introduce a clause or explanation. Depending on the context, it could be used to introduce a statement or a question. Example 1: "The problem with their proposal is that they have not considered the financial impact on our budget." Example 2: "The main concern is that they might not be able to deliver the project on time." Example 3: "What worries me the most is that they have not provided enough evidence to support their claims."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"My feeling is that they should be".

The New York Times - Sports

The problem is that they are empty.

The New York Times - Books

(My guess is that they are).

The New Yorker

The first is that they can.

The Economist

My suggestion is that they will not.

The Economist

(Berkman's bet is that they would).

The New Yorker

Another is that they are silly.

The Economist

The danger is that they believe it.

The New York Times

What matters is that they can.

The New York Times

(The joke is that they are mute).

The New York Times - Arts

The obvious answer is that they can.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is that they", ensure the subject and verb in the following clause agree in number. This helps maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Common error

Avoid ambiguous pronoun references after "is that they". Ensure that "they" clearly refers to a specific group or entity mentioned previously in the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is that they" serves as a connector, introducing a clause that provides an explanation, reason, or further information about a preceding statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct. For example, "The main issue is that they lack experience."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is that they" functions as a connector to introduce explanatory clauses, offering reasons or details to clarify previous statements. Grammatically sound and widely used, especially in news and media, it maintains a neutral register. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the construction is correct and frequently found in various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific discussions. Ensure clarity and agreement with surrounding elements for optimal usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the fact is that they

Similar to "the truth is that they", reinforcing a statement.

the point is that they

Highlights the main or crucial aspect.

the truth is that they

Emphasizes the reality or factual nature.

the reason is they

Directly provides a rationale or explanation.

is it that they

Changes the emphasis to a question or speculation.

one explanation is that they

Offers one possible interpretation or justification.

the problem is they

Focuses specifically on a difficulty or issue.

is it because they

Specifically introduces a reason or cause.

it seems that they

Similar to "it appears that they", suggesting an impression.

it appears that they

Indicates a perception or observation.

FAQs

How can I use "is that they" in a sentence?

Use "is that they" to introduce an explanation or reason. For example, "The problem "is that they" haven't considered all the options."

What's a more formal way to say "is that they"?

While "is that they" is suitable for many contexts, consider using "the fact is that they" or "the reason "is they"" for a more formal tone.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "is that they"?

While less common, starting a sentence with "is that they" isn't inherently incorrect, but it's often better to rephrase for smoother flow. For example, instead of "Is that they are coming?", try "The question is whether "they are coming"".

Which is correct, "is that they are" or "is that they is"?

"Is that they are" is generally correct. "Is that they is" is grammatically incorrect. Make sure to use the correct verb conjugation following "they".