that constitute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that constitute" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a group or set of characteristics that together compose a whole. For example: "The five elements that constitute a successful sales pitch are: clarity, brevity, relevance, eye contact, and enthusiasm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Does that constitute dating?

The New York Times

Would "fixing" that constitute a new tax?

The New York Times

ELECTRONS Negatively charged particles that constitute electricity.

The New York Times - Science

— that constitute the government's "Integrated Acquisition Environment".

The New York Times

Does that constitute an American strategic interest?

The New York Times

Authority in the seven emirates that constitute the U.A.E.

The Washington Post

The B15D fibrils resemble the protofilaments that constitute amyloid fibrils.

Journal of Structural Biology

Then various dimensions that constitute the framework will be detailed.

IFAC-PapersOnLine

Further, the "facts" that constitute the alleged concession are insufficient to support Hamdi's detention.

The New York Times

"Freedom to be a person, with the dignity, integrity, nobility, passion, and pride that constitute personhood.

The Guardian - Books

Their life together is replete with the cozy, passion-killing rituals that constitute domesticity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that constitute" when you want to clearly indicate the elements or components that compose a larger entity or concept. Ensure the subject and verb agree in number.

Common error

Avoid using "that constitutes" when referring to multiple elements. "Constitute" should be used in plural form when the relative pronoun "that" refers to a plural antecedent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that constitute" functions as a relative clause modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating which elements or components form a larger whole. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's generally considered correct English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that constitute" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the elements that compose a larger entity or concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. It's frequently used in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts to provide clarity and specificity. When using the phrase, ensure subject-verb agreement and avoid using the singular form ("that constitutes") when referring to multiple elements. Alternatives like "that comprise", "that form", and "that make up" can be used for variety, depending on the context and desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that comprise

Replaces "constitute" with "comprise", emphasizing the act of forming a whole.

which comprise

Uses "which" instead of "that" and replaces "constitute" with "comprise", for different sentence structure.

that compose

Employs "compose" as a more formal synonym for "constitute".

that form

Substitutes "constitute" with "form", highlighting the creation aspect.

that make up

Uses the phrasal verb "make up" instead of "constitute", focusing on the components.

that consist of

Expresses composition using "consist of", emphasizing the parts.

that build

Substitutes "constitute" with "build", suggesting elements contribute to construction of the whole.

that embody

Replaces "constitute" with "embody", suggesting the elements represent a concept or idea.

that represent

Uses "represent" to indicate the elements are symbolic of the whole.

that are

Simplifies the phrase to "that are", suitable for less formal contexts where the meaning is clear.

FAQs

How to use "that constitute" in a sentence?

Use "that constitute" to describe elements forming a whole, such as: "The factors "that constitute" a healthy lifestyle include diet and exercise."

What can I say instead of "that constitute"?

Alternatives include "that comprise", "that form", or "that make up", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Which is correct, "that constitute" or "that constitutes"?

"That constitute" is correct when referring to a plural subject. "That constitutes" is used with singular subjects. Example: "Elements "that constitute" success are different for each person."

What's the difference between "that constitute" and "which constitute"?

While both are grammatically correct, "that constitute" is generally used in restrictive clauses (essential to the sentence's meaning), while "which constitute" is used in non-restrictive clauses (adds extra information). For example, consider "the factors "that constitute" the decision were several, against "the factors, which constitute the decision, were several".