of those

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of those" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific subset of a larger group that has already been mentioned or is understood in context. Example: "Many students applied for the scholarship, but only a few of those were selected for interviews."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Think of those sounds.

The New York Times

Neither of those.

The New York Times

Of those, 63 graduated.

The New York Times

Of those, 42 died.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One of those two.

The New Yorker

None of those things!

The New Yorker

A combination of those.

The New York Times

Fourteen of those died.

The New York Times

"One of those.

The New Yorker

"Never one of those.

The New York Times - Sports

It's both of those".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "of those" to clearly refer back to a specific group previously mentioned, ensuring there is no ambiguity about what you are referencing. This helps maintain clarity and avoids confusion for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "of those" if the group you are referring to is not immediately clear from the preceding context. Ensure the group is explicitly stated or easily inferred to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of those" functions as a partitive prepositional phrase, indicating a subset or specific members taken from a previously mentioned group. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It serves to specify a quantity or selection from a larger whole, clarifying which items are being discussed further.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Formal & Business

18%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of those" is a grammatically sound and frequently used partitive prepositional phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, indicating it is suitable for a broad range of writing. It serves to specify a subset from a previously mentioned group, aiding in clarity and focus. Predominantly found in news and formal business contexts, it maintains a neutral register, making it a versatile choice for various communication needs. When using "of those", ensure the antecedent group is clear to prevent ambiguity. Remember to consider alternatives like "among them" or "from that group" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

among them

Replaces "of those" with a simpler prepositional phrase, suitable for contexts where brevity is preferred.

from that group

Emphasizes the source of the selection, highlighting the group it originates from.

within that set

Uses more formal language to refer to a specific collection of items.

in that number

Focuses on the numerical aspect of the previously mentioned group.

out of those

Implies a selection process from the total count of the group.

from among those

Adds a layer of formality and selection nuance to the phrase.

in that category

Highlights that the elements share the same characteristics or type.

of that number

Focuses on the quantity and partitive aspect.

belonging to those

Indicates ownership or membership within the specified group.

from that selection

Similar to 'from that group' but implies a selection or filtering process.

FAQs

How can I use "of those" in a sentence?

Use "of those" to refer back to a specific subset within a larger group already mentioned. For example, "Many students applied for the scholarship, but only a few "of those" were selected for interviews."

What are some alternatives to using "of those"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "among them", "from that group", or "within that set" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between using "of those" and "from those"?

While both phrases can refer to a subset of a larger group, "of those" is generally used to indicate a proportion or number. "From those" can imply selection or extraction. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use "of those"?

Avoid using "of those" if the referent group is ambiguous or not clearly defined in the preceding text. Ensure the reader can easily identify the group to which ""of those"" refers to maintain clarity.