the ones that

USAGE SUMMARY

'the ones that' is correct and usable in written English, and can be used in a variety of contexts.
For example, you might say, "I like the ones that have red stripes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The ones that punched each other.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The ones that are on TV, yeah.

HuffPost

But I enjoy the ones that do.

The New Yorker

Call them the ones that got away.

The New York Times

The ones that did found startling results.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We're the ones that are sweltering.

The New York Times

Now, the ones that remain are shrinking.

The New York Times

The ones that came before you.

Independent

The ones that make people angry.

The New York Times

We're the ones that said, enough.

The New York Times

Only the ones that serve the poor?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the ones that" to clearly distinguish a specific subset from a larger group, ensuring your sentence remains unambiguous and easy to understand.

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple "that" clauses. If your sentence becomes convoluted with too many "that"s, consider rephrasing for clarity, potentially breaking it into simpler sentences or using alternative constructions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the ones that" functions as a relative clause, specifically identifying or specifying a subset of items or individuals from a larger, often previously mentioned, group. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

15%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the ones that" serves as a versatile relative clause, effectively specifying particular items or individuals from a larger group across diverse contexts. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted, making it a reliable choice for both formal and informal communication. When aiming for greater formality, consider alternatives like "those which". To avoid overuse, particularly in complex sentences, restructure your sentences for enhanced clarity. Understanding these nuances will enable you to wield "the ones that" with precision and finesse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

those that

A shorter and slightly more concise alternative, omitting "ones".

those which

Uses "those" instead of "the ones", providing a slightly more formal tone.

the individuals who

Replaces "ones" with "individuals" and "that" with "who", emphasizing people.

the items that

Substitutes "ones" with "items", focusing on objects rather than people.

the people who

Specifically refers to people using "people" instead of the more general "ones".

the things that

Replaces "ones" with "things", highlighting inanimate objects.

the aspects that

Highlights particular facets or features being discussed.

the examples that

Focuses on providing specific illustrations or instances.

the cases where

Emphasizes specific situations or instances.

the instances in which

A more formal and elaborate version emphasizing specific occurrences.

FAQs

How can I use "the ones that" in a sentence?

"The ones that" helps specify particular items or individuals from a larger group. For example, "I prefer the books that are non-fiction" is equivalent to "I prefer "the ones that" are non-fiction."

What are some alternatives to "the ones that"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "those which", "the individuals who", or "the items that" instead of ""the ones that"".

Is it always necessary to use "that" after "the ones"?

While "that" is commonly used for clarity, it can sometimes be omitted in informal contexts if the meaning remains clear. However, including "that" usually improves readability, especially in more complex sentences.

What's the difference between "the ones that" and "those that"?

"The ones that" is generally more informal than "those that". "Those that" can sound slightly more formal or detached, but both are grammatically correct and often interchangeable.