the trend that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the trend that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a trend (or a pattern of behavior or belief) that you are about to explain in more detail. For example: "The trend that has been prevalent in recent years is the increasing use of social media."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's the trend that refuses to die.

The Guardian - Film

The trend that existed then has only grown.

The New York Times - Travel

Recent evidence supports the trend that military spending doesn't correlate with increased quality of life.

Columbia University

Peano and Dedekind illustrate the trend that led to Principia Mathematica.

Harvard University

But sometimes it is the trend that counts, more than the absolute level.

The New York Times

But significant progress has been made against the trend that is taking place elsewhere in Europe.

The Guardian

Again, the trend that formed during Obama's last years continued through Trump's first.

The Washington Post

The results show the trend that could be expected in drying practice.

Chemical Engineering Science

This would continue the trend that saw investment banker Bob Diamond given the top slot at Barclays this month.

The Guardian - Business

A death knell sounded in Paris – minimalism, the trend that made plain and simple the height of chic, is over.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Indeed, vintners in the United States would be wise to embrace the trend that is slowly gaining acceptance worldwide.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the trend that", ensure that the subsequent clause clearly defines or elaborates on the trend being referenced. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "the trend that" without specifying what constitutes the trend. Always follow it with a descriptive clause to provide context and meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the trend that" functions as a relative clause introducer. It connects a noun phrase ("the trend") to a clause that provides further information or definition about that trend, similar to the examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the trend that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce and elaborate on patterns or developments. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely employed across various contexts. To maximize clarity, always follow "the trend that" with a clause that specifically defines the trend you're referencing. While alternatives like "the tendency that" exist, "the trend that" remains a common and effective choice, particularly in news, science, and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the tendency that

Emphasizes a prevailing disposition or habit.

the pattern that

Highlights a recurring sequence or arrangement.

the inclination that

Focuses on a tendency or leaning rather than a general pattern.

the propensity that

Focuses on a natural or inherent inclination.

the progression that

Emphasizes a step-by-step advancement or sequence.

the development that

Stresses the process of growth or change observed.

the direction that

Indicates a specific course or path being followed.

the evolution that

Highlights gradual unfolding or progression.

the momentum that

Highlights the force or speed of movement in a particular direction.

the emergence that

Emphasizes the act of something coming into being or becoming apparent.

FAQs

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

Use "the trend that" to introduce a pattern or tendency you're about to describe or explain. For instance, "The trend that we've observed is increasing investment in renewable energy."

What are some alternatives to using "the trend that"?

You could use phrases like "the tendency that", "the pattern that", or "the development that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the trend which" instead of "the trend that"?

While both "that" and "which" can be used in relative clauses, "that" is generally preferred in restrictive clauses (clauses essential to the sentence's meaning), making "the trend that" more common and often more appropriate.

What's the difference between "the trend that" and "a trend that"?

"The trend that" typically refers to a specific, already known or identified trend. "A trend that" introduces a trend more generally, without necessarily implying it's previously established or well-known.