The word “that” is a versatile part of speech in the English language. Whether used as a determiner, pronoun, conjunction, or adjective, “that” appears frequently in both written and spoken communication. Understanding when and how to use “that” can help you write and speak more clearly and confidently.
In this article, we will explore the many uses of that in English, providing you with practical examples and rules for its correct usage.
What is that in English?
That in English is a common word in English that can function in various ways depending on its role in the sentence. It can serve as a determiner, relative pronoun, conjunction, adjective, or adverb. The meaning of “that” can change based on its context and the surrounding words.
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As a determiner: “That is my book.”
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As a relative pronoun: “This is the book that I borrowed.”
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As a conjunction: “He said that he was tired.”
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As an adjective: “I want that cake.”
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As an adverb: “He didn’t take it that seriously.”
Each use of “that” serves a distinct purpose, and understanding these differences will help you use the word more accurately.
Types of Uses for That in English
Let’s take a closer look at the specific uses of that in English, with examples for each category.
1. “That” as a Determiner
When “that” is used as a determiner, it introduces a noun and indicates that the noun is far from the speaker in space or time. “That” is used to specify a particular thing, person, or idea.
Examples of “that” as a determiner:
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That book over there is mine.
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That movie was really interesting.
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That idea seems great.
Key Points:
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“That” is used for singular nouns.
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It often refers to something farther away from the speaker in terms of distance or context.
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The plural form of “that” is “those.”
2. “That” as a Relative Pronoun
“That” can be used as a relative pronoun to connect a dependent clause to a noun. It helps to introduce additional information about the noun.
Examples of “that” as a relative pronoun:
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The car that I bought is red.
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The book that you recommended was fantastic.
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This is the person that I admire the most.
Key Points:
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“That” can replace “who” (for people) and “which” (for things) in certain contexts.
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It introduces restrictive clauses, which provide essential information about the noun.
3. “That” as a Conjunction
As a conjunction, “that” introduces noun clauses, often acting as the subject, object, or complement of the main clause. It can also be used to introduce a clause that explains, specifies, or justifies something.
Examples of “that” as a conjunction:
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I believe that she will succeed.
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He said that he would help us.
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That he was late surprised everyone.
Key Points:
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“That” is used to introduce both statements and questions in a dependent clause.
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The clause following “that” typically provides additional information or clarification.
4. “That” as an Adjective
When “that” is used as an adjective, it emphasizes a specific object, person, or thing, pointing out something in particular.
Examples of “that” as an adjective:
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That car is beautiful.
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That painting is worth a lot of money.
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I want that cup of coffee.
Key Points:
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“That” modifies a noun to highlight or point out something specific.
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It’s used to indicate something far from the speaker.
5. “That” as an Adverb
In this case, “that” is used to modify an adjective or another adverb. It often expresses degree or extent, and it is typically used with negatives or comparisons.
Examples of “that” as an adverb:
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She is not that tall.
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The movie wasn’t that good.
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The cake is that delicious!
Key Points:
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“That” modifies adjectives and adverbs.
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It helps to express the degree or extent of something, often emphasizing a high or low degree.
6. Omitting “That”
In many cases, “that” can be omitted without changing the meaning of the sentence. This is especially true in casual or conversational English, where the word “that” is unnecessary for understanding.
Examples where “that” can be omitted:
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She said (that) she would come. → She said she would come.
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I think that it’s a great idea. → I think it’s a great idea.
Key Points:
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In informal speech and writing, “that” can often be left out after verbs like say, think, believe, and others.
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Removing “that” often makes the sentence flow more naturally, though it should be used when clarity is needed.
7. Using “That” in Exclamatory Clauses
“That” is sometimes used in exclamatory clauses to express strong emotions, especially surprise, indignation, or sorrow. These clauses often begin with the word “that” followed by a clause.
Examples of “that” in exclamatory clauses:
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That she would leave so suddenly was shocking!
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That he should say such things is outrageous!
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That they won the game was incredible!
Key Points:
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“That” in exclamatory clauses emphasizes the emotion or surprise behind the statement.
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It introduces a clause that contains the exclamation.
8. Compound Conjunctions with “That”
In informal English, “that” is part of several compound conjunctions. These conjunctions are used to connect clauses and indicate purpose, reason, result, and condition. They are often used in more complex sentences.
Examples of compound conjunctions with “that”:
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In order that he might improve his writing, he practiced every day.
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The manager made the decision so that the project could move forward.
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We will wait now that the rain has stopped.
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She worked extra hours on the condition that she could leave early on Friday.
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He brought up the issue given that it was crucial for the meeting.
Key Points:
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These compound conjunctions with “that” are used for expressing purpose, result, or condition.
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They help to add detail and complexity to sentences, often in formal writing or speech.
9. The Fact That…
A common phrase used with “that” is “the fact that…”, which introduces a statement or fact. This phrase is useful for adding emphasis to the truth or reality of a situation.
Examples with “The fact that…”:
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The fact that you completed the project ahead of schedule is impressive.
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The fact that she passed the exam despite the challenges is remarkable.
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The fact that they won the competition proves their hard work.
Key Points:
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“The fact that…” introduces a truth or statement that is emphasized.
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It is often used in formal contexts or when trying to highlight an important point.
10. “That” with Adjectives
Certain adjectives are commonly followed by “that” to explain the reason or cause behind an adjective. This is often used to indicate a specific condition or situation.
Examples of “that” with adjectives:
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I’m happy that you got the job.
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She is upset that the event was canceled.
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He’s excited that the team won.
Key Points:
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Adjectives like happy, sad, excited, and surprised are commonly followed by “that” to introduce a clause explaining the reason.
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This construction helps to connect the emotion or state with the cause or reason for it.
FAQs On That in English
What pronoun is that?
“That” is a demonstrative pronoun when used to refer to a specific object, person, or idea that is farther away in distance or time. For example, in the sentence “I want that book,” “that” is used as a demonstrative pronoun to specify the book.
What is the “that” clause in English grammar?
A “that” clause is a subordinate or dependent clause introduced by the word “that.” It often functions as a noun clause in a sentence, either as the subject, object, or complement. For example, in “I believe that she will succeed,” the clause “that she will succeed” is a “that” clause.
Where do you use “that”?
You use “that” in various contexts:
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As a demonstrative pronoun: to indicate something specific (“That is my car”).
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As a relative pronoun: to introduce a restrictive clause that provides essential information (“The book that you gave me is great”).
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As a conjunction: to introduce noun clauses or subordinate clauses (“He said that he would be late”).
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As a determiner: to specify a particular noun (“That chair looks comfortable”).
What part of speech is it that?
“That” can function as several parts of speech in English:
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Pronoun (e.g., “Give me that“).
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Adjective (e.g., “That chair is broken”).
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Conjunction (e.g., “He told me that he was busy”).
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Determiner (e.g., “That book is interesting”).
What are the rules for using “that”?
Here are some key rules for using “that”:
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“That” is used as a demonstrative pronoun to point out specific things or ideas.
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It is used in restrictive relative clauses to provide essential information about a noun (e.g., “The car that is parked outside is mine”).
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“That” can introduce noun clauses (e.g., “I believe that she will succeed”).
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In formal writing, “that” is used to introduce clauses, whereas in casual speech, it may sometimes be omitted.
Conclusion
The word that in English is one of the most versatile words in the English language. It serves as a determiner, relative pronoun, conjunction, adjective, and adverb. Mastering its various uses helps to improve your clarity, precision, and effectiveness in both spoken and written English. Whether you’re writing formally or speaking casually, understanding the different contexts in which “that” can be used will elevate your communication skills.