that brought him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that brought him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that led to a particular outcome for someone. Example: "The unexpected news that brought him to tears was a surprise to everyone in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The book that brought him to the West.

Stanford University

It was the Brown decision that brought him back.

The New Yorker

And that brought him fully awake and wondering.

The New Yorker

It wasn't a plan that brought him here today.

The New Yorker

And that brought him to the topic of football.

The Washington Post

It also carefully tracks the missteps that brought him down.

The New York Times - Books

He had nightmares that brought him to tears.

The New York Times

The circumstances that brought him here are quite unfortunate".

The New York Times

It was an accident that brought him to the Bronx.

The New Yorker

We shouldn't burn the bridge that brought him over.

The New York Times

That brought him incarceration at Colditz in August 1941.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that brought him", ensure the subject and verb agree in number. For example, 'The circumstances that brought him here are...' (plural circumstances).

Common error

Avoid using "that brought him" when the intention is to describe something he carried or possessed. It strictly refers to something that caused him to be in a certain place or state. For instance, don't say 'The book that brought him comfort,' instead, use 'The book that gave him comfort'.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "that brought him" is that of a relative clause, modifying a noun and introducing information about the cause or reason behind someone's current situation. The Ludwig examples provide context on how this relative clause is used to describe various outcomes and situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that brought him" functions as a relative clause, effectively illustrating cause-and-effect relationships. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and frequently used in diverse contexts, ranging from news reports to academic analyses. Its neutral register makes it suitable for varied writing styles. While versatile, it's important to differentiate it from phrases describing possession, ensuring its correct usage to indicate causation. Overall, "that brought him" serves as a powerful tool for explaining how events have shaped an individual's circumstances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which led him to

Focuses on the direct consequence, emphasizing the path or sequence of events.

what caused him to

Highlights the reason or origin behind the action or state.

that resulted in him

Emphasizes the outcome or effect of a specific action or event.

that made him

Indicates a transformation or change brought about by something.

that influenced him to

Focuses on the persuasive or motivating factor.

that prompted him to

Stresses the initiation or triggering event.

which drove him to

Implies a strong, compelling force behind the action.

that compelled him to

Suggests a sense of obligation or necessity.

what motivated him to

Highlights the internal drive or reason for action.

that induced him to

Implies a subtle form of persuasion or influence.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that brought him" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "which led him to", "what caused him to", or "that resulted in him" depending on the context.

Is "that brought him" formal or informal?

"That brought him" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. The tone of the surrounding text will determine the overall formality.

What's the difference between "that brought him" and "that took him"?

"That brought him" implies causation, indicating something that led him to a place or state. "That took him", on the other hand, simply indicates movement or transportation without necessarily implying a cause.

How to use "that brought him" in a complex sentence?

You can use "that brought him" in complex sentences to connect a cause or event to its effect on a person, for example: "The discovery of a new manuscript, "that brought him" international recognition, changed his career trajectory forever."