the thing that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the thing that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to introduce or refer to something. For example: "The thing that makes this painting stand out is its bright colors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is the thing that stands out.

The New York Times

"That was the thing that suggested reconnection".

The New Yorker

Is the thing that did happen".

The New Yorker

And then the thing that happened happened".

The New York Times - Books

It was "the thing that happened yesterday".

The Economist

This is the thing that got me.

The New York Times - Food

"That's the thing that bothers me".

The New York Times - Tech

That's the thing that really bothers me".

The New York Times

That's the thing that doesn't work".

The New Yorker

"That's the thing that binds us all".

The New York Times

The thing that eventually sank me?

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the thing that" to clearly introduce or specify a particular aspect, detail, or reason you want to highlight or emphasize in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "the thing that" excessively in close proximity, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using more concise alternatives, such as relative clauses or appositives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the thing that" functions as a relative clause introducer or a noun phrase modifier. It singles out and highlights a particular aspect, element, or reason. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the thing that" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to emphasize specific aspects or reasons. As Ludwig AI validates, its widespread use is evident across diverse contexts, particularly in news and academic writing. While "the thing that" is valuable for highlighting details, avoid overuse to maintain clarity and flow. Consider synonyms like "the aspect that" or "what" to enhance sentence variety. Employ "the thing that" thoughtfully to add emphasis and precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the aspect that

Focuses on a particular feature or characteristic, emphasizing a specific element.

the element that

Highlights a component or part that contributes to a larger whole.

the factor that

Identifies a contributing cause or influence.

the point that

Emphasizes a specific idea or argument.

the issue that

Draws attention to a problem or concern.

what stands out

Highlights something noticeable or remarkable.

the key element

Emphasizes the most important aspect of something.

the defining characteristic

Points to a quality that distinguishes something.

the main reason

Specifies the primary cause or explanation.

what matters most

Highlights the most significant consideration.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "the thing that" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "the aspect that", "the element that", or "the factor that" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "the thing that" and "what"?

"The thing that" explicitly refers to something specific, while "what" can refer to a more general or abstract concept. For instance, "the thing that matters" emphasizes a particular element, while "what matters" is broader.

How to avoid repetition when using "the thing that"?

To avoid repetition, use synonyms or restructure the sentence. For example, instead of "The thing that I like is... The thing that she likes is...", try "I like... and she also likes..." or use a relative clause such as "What I like is..."

Is "the thing that" always necessary in a sentence?

No, "the thing that" isn't always necessary. Sometimes, you can use a more concise phrase. For example, instead of "the thing that surprised me", you can say "what surprised me".