Definition of “That”
“That” is a pronoun, determiner, adverb, and conjunction, used to refer to something that is farther away in time, space, or context, or to introduce clauses or provide further explanation. It helps in pointing out specific objects, people, or ideas, often with some distance or separation from the speaker.
Uses of “That” as a Pronoun
1. Referring to Something Distant or Previously Mentioned
As a pronoun, “that” refers to something that is farther away in time or space, or to something that has already been mentioned.
- Examples:
- “That is the book I was telling you about.”
- “Is that your car over there?”
- “That was a great movie we saw last night.”
2. Referring to a Specific Idea, Action, or Situation
“That” can refer to a specific idea or action that is being discussed, often to clarify or highlight something already mentioned or to emphasize its importance.
- Examples:
- “I didn’t expect that to happen.”
- “That was the moment when I knew I had to make a change.”
- “I hope that clears up your confusion.”
Uses of “That” as a Determiner
1. Indicating a Specific Object or Person
As a determiner, “that” is used before a noun to refer to a specific object or person that is farther away or distinct from others.
- Examples:
- “I prefer that color over this one.”
- “That man in the red shirt looks familiar.”
- “Can you hand me that book on the shelf?”
2. Referring to Something Previously Mentioned
“That” can also be used to refer to something that was discussed earlier in the conversation or text, helping to identify the particular thing being referred to.
- Examples:
- “That idea you suggested earlier could really work.”
- “Remember that day when we went to the beach?”
Uses of “That” as a Conjunction
1. Introducing a Dependent Clause
As a conjunction, “that” is used to introduce a dependent clause that provides more information or further explanation.
- Examples:
- “I believe that she will succeed.”
- “He told me that he would call later.”
- “It’s important that you arrive on time.”
2. Clarifying or Giving More Detail
“That” can also be used to clarify a point or provide additional information within a sentence.
- Examples:
- “The news was so shocking that no one knew how to respond.”
- “She was so tired that she fell asleep immediately.”
Uses of “That” as an Adverb (Less Common)
1. Expressing Degree
In some cases, “that” can function as an adverb to express a degree of intensity or extent.
- Examples:
- “I didn’t know it was that important.”
- “It wasn’t that difficult to solve the problem.”
Grammatical Role of “That”
1. Pronoun Usage
As a pronoun, “that” replaces a specific noun or refers to something already mentioned or further away.
- Examples:
- “That is what I meant to say.”
- “Can you believe that happened?”
2. Determiner Usage
As a determiner, “that” is used before a noun to point out specific objects or people that are distinct from others.
- Examples:
- “That car is much faster than mine.”
- “Please give me that pen over there.”
3. Conjunction Usage
As a conjunction, “that” connects clauses, providing additional details or clarification.
- Examples:
- “She knew that he was lying.”
- “It’s clear that we need to make changes.”
4. Adverb Usage
As an adverb, “that” modifies adjectives or verbs to indicate degree or extent.
- Examples:
- “I didn’t think it would be that hard.”
- “It wasn’t that cold last night.”
Common Phrases with “That”
1. “That’s it”
This phrase means that something has been completed, resolved, or achieved, often used to indicate finality or satisfaction.
- Examples:
- “That’s it, I’ve made my decision.”
- “So, that’s it for today’s meeting.”
2. “That way”
This phrase refers to a specific direction or manner of doing something.
- Examples:
- “Go that way to reach the exit.”
- “We should organize the event that way to make it more efficient.”
3. “That’s the thing”
This phrase is used to highlight or emphasize an important point or detail in a discussion.
- Examples:
- “That’s the thing—I’m not sure if we have enough time.”
- “That’s the thing about him; he’s always so reliable.”
Common Mistakes with “That”
1. Overuse of “That” as a Conjunction
In some cases, “that” can be omitted in sentences, especially when it serves only as a conjunction and doesn’t change the meaning of the sentence.
- Incorrect: “I think that we should go.”
- Correct: “I think we should go.”
2. Confusing “That” with “Which”
While both “that” and “which” can introduce clauses, “that” is often used for essential information, while “which” introduces non-essential information.
- Incorrect: “The car, that was parked outside, is mine.”
- Correct: “The car, which was parked outside, is mine.”
Importance of “That” in Communication
“That” is an essential word for communication, helping to refer to specific objects, people, or ideas, often with distance or context in mind. It is especially useful in both written and spoken language for clarifying relationships between ideas or providing additional information.
Whether using “that” to point out something distant or to connect ideas, understanding its various forms ensures clear and precise communication in both informal and formal settings.
Conclusion
“That” is a versatile word that can be used as a pronoun, determiner, conjunction, or adverb to refer to something distant, introduce clauses, or describe a degree of intensity. It helps clarify specific references, connect ideas, and provide additional information in both conversation and writing. Understanding and using “that” effectively enhances communication by offering clarity and precision when pointing out objects, people, or ideas that are further away or conceptually distinct from the speaker.