the items that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the items that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to specific objects or elements that are being discussed or described. Example: "The items that were on sale last week are now out of stock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We were opposed to all of the items that went.

The New York Times

The buckets are called slots, and the items that go into them are called fillers.

Knowledge Representation and Reasoning

Television programs ran a crawl over their regular programming listing the items that were needed.

The New York Times

He has promised some surprises beyond the items that have already been revealed.

The New York Times

We say we will handle the items that are expense items," said Roney.

The Guardian - Business

She even knew "all the items that went into Hortense's trash".

The Guardian

Val-Kill today houses about 40percentt of the items that were there during her lifetime.

The New York Times

He is also revising descriptions of the items that were affected by Hurricane Sandy.

The New Yorker

Foremost among the items that "Nijinsky" didn't stick with for long was dancing.

The New Yorker

"We've definitely identified the items that can get us there," Toomey said.

The Washington Post

I then create an "open file" to gather the items that catch my interest.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the items that", ensure that the noun following "that" is specific and clearly relates to the items being discussed. This will improve clarity and prevent ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "which" instead of "that" when the clause is restrictive and essential to the sentence's meaning. Use "that" to introduce essential clauses that define the items being discussed. For example: "The items that are on sale are displayed here" is correct, while "The items, which are on sale, are displayed here" implies that all items are on sale and is better suited for additional, non-essential information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the items that" functions as a relative clause introducing information to specify and restrict which "items" are being discussed. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in identifying specific things within a larger set.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

17%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the items that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase employed to specify particular things being discussed. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across diverse contexts, from News & Media to scientific discussions, highlighting its versatility. When writing with "the items that", be precise in your selection to avoid ambiguity. Remember to use "that" for restrictive clauses and avoid using "which" unless providing non-essential information. By following these guidelines, you can effectively communicate with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the things that

Replaces "items" with the more general term "things".

the objects that

Substitutes "items" with "objects", focusing on tangible entities.

those items that

Adds "those" for emphasis or to specify a particular set of items.

the products that

Replaces "items" with "products", implying a commercial context.

the elements that

Replaces "items" with "elements", suitable when referring to components.

the components that

Replaces "items" with "components", highlighting parts of a whole.

the things which

Uses "which" instead of "that" for the relative pronoun.

the goods that

Uses "goods" instead of "items", often in a business or trade context.

the articles that

Substitutes "items" with "articles", referring to specific pieces or objects.

the supplies that

Replaces "items" with "supplies", implying provisions or resources.

FAQs

How do I use "the items that" in a sentence?

Use "the items that" to specify particular objects or things being referred to. For example: "The items that were damaged were removed from the store."

What can I say instead of "the items that"?

Alternatives include "the things that", "the objects that", or "the products that", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "which" instead of "that" after "the items"?

While "which" can be used, "that" is generally preferred for restrictive clauses that are essential to the meaning of the sentence. "The items that are on sale" is more common and direct than "The items, which are on sale".

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

"The items that" introduces an essential clause, while "the items, which" introduces a non-essential clause set off by commas. The former is more defining, while the latter provides additional information.