that
that Lexical Profile
that Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Used to identify a specific person, thing, time, or idea that is physically distant, removed in time, or previously mentioned.
"Please hand me that book on the top shelf."
Used to refer to a person, place, or thing that is already well known or easily recognized by the listener.
"She made that delicious chocolate cake again for the party."
• conjunction
Used to introduce a subordinate clause expressing a statement, indirect speech, hypothesis, or fact.
"The professor announced that the final examination would be held next Monday."
Used to introduce a subordinate clause expressing a purpose, result, or consequence.
"The load was so heavy that the wooden cart began to creak under the weight."
Used to introduce a clause expressing the reason for or cause of an emotion, judgment, or state.
"We were delighted that you could attend the ceremony."
• pronoun
Used as a demonstrative pronoun to identify a specific person, thing, or idea observed by the speaker or previously mentioned.
"That is the finest painting in the entire museum."
Used as a relative pronoun to introduce a defining or restrictive clause referring to a person, animal, or thing.
"The letter that arrived this morning contained important news."
• adverb
To such a degree or extent; as much as indicated or implied.
"I did not realize the train station was that far away from the hotel."
Word Nuance & Usage
In formal grammar, 'that' is traditionally used to introduce restrictive (essential) relative clauses without commas, whereas 'which' introduces non-restrictive (non-essential) clauses set off by commas.
• Rhymes for that
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'þæt', the neuter singular demonstrative pronoun and definite article, ultimately derived from the Proto-Germanic demonstrative stem '*that' and the Proto-Indo-European root '*to-'.