that are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that are" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a relative clause that provides additional information about a noun. Example: "The books that are on the shelf belong to the library."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Things that are sweet.

The New York Times

"Girls that are friends.

The New Yorker

Shapes that are forever".

Independent

Things that are round.

The New York Times

"Friends that are girls.

The New Yorker

Things that are important.

The New York Times

Things that are unsafe.

The New York Times - Arts

Checks that are late".

The New Yorker

Losses that are "forever".

The New Yorker

Things that are whimsical?

The New York Times

Contestant: Things that are dark.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that are" to introduce defining or non-defining relative clauses, providing essential or additional information about nouns.

Common error

Avoid using "that are" with singular nouns. Ensure the verb form agrees with the noun it modifies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that are" primarily functions as a relative pronoun and auxiliary verb introducing a relative clause. It connects the clause to a preceding noun or pronoun, providing additional information or description. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

31%

News & Media

52%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that are" serves as a versatile tool for forming relative clauses, adding descriptive information across diverse contexts. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and broad applicability make it a staple in both formal and informal communication. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, this phrase demonstrates its usefulness in specifying and elaborating on subjects. While generally appropriate, it's crucial to maintain subject-verb agreement and consider more concise alternatives where suitable. The analyzed authoritative sources provide plentiful examples of this common expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that exist

Emphasizes the existence of the subject.

which exist

Replaces "that are" with a more direct statement of existence.

that can be

Focuses on the potential or capability of being in a certain state.

being

Offers a concise way to describe a current state or condition.

that tend to be

Indicates a common or habitual state.

that happen to be

Emphasizes the coincidental nature of a state or condition.

which may be

Suggests possibility or uncertainty about the state of being.

defined as

Used to provide a definition or explanation.

that is

Used for singular subjects, contrasting with the plural "that are".

considered as

Highlights a particular viewpoint or judgment.

FAQs

How can I use "that are" in a sentence?

Use "that are" to introduce a relative clause, providing more information about the subject. For instance, "The books "that are on the table" belong to her."

What are some alternatives to "that are"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "which exist", "being", or "defined as".

Is it always necessary to use "that are" in a sentence?

No, sometimes you can rephrase the sentence to be more concise. For example, instead of "the things "that are important"", you could say "the important things".

What is the difference between "that is" and "that are"?

"That is" is used with singular nouns, while "that are" is used with plural nouns. For example, "the book that is mine" versus "the books "that are mine"".