that
that
Pronunciation
/ðæt/
that: /ðæt/
Word Form Variations
"That" is a highly versatile word in English and does not have typical singular/plural or tense variations in the way nouns or verbs do. Its form remains constant regardless of its grammatical function. However, its function in a sentence changes significantly.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
I. Determiner
Definition 1: Used to identify a specific person, thing, or idea previously mentioned or implied, or one that is further away in space or time from the speaker.
Synonyms: the, this (when indicating specificity)
Antonyms: these, those (when indicating proximity)
II. Pronoun
Definition 1: Used to refer to a specific person or thing previously mentioned or understood from the context, often to avoid repetition.
Synonyms: which, who, whom
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it's a referring pronoun)
Definition 2: Used to introduce a subordinate clause, often functioning as the subject or object of the clause.
Synonyms: which, who
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
III. Adverb
Definition 1: To such an extent or degree; so. Used to intensify an adjective or another adverb.
Synonyms: so, very, extremely
Antonyms: not very, scarcely
IV. Conjunction
Definition 1: Used to introduce a subordinate clause expressing a statement, thought, or feeling.
Synonyms: (No direct synonyms; it's a structural word)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
Definition 2: Used to introduce a subordinate clause expressing a purpose or result.
Synonyms: in order that, so that
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. Winston Smith, his chin nuzzled into his breast in an effort to escape the vile wind, slipped quickly through the glass doors of Victory Mansions, though not quickly enough to prevent a swirl of gritty dust from entering along with him. The hallway smelt of boiled cabbage and old rag mats. At one end of it a coloured poster, too large for indoor display, had been tacked to the wall. It depicted simply an enormous face, more than a metre wide: the face of a man of about forty-five, with a heavy black moustache and ruggedly handsome features. Winston made for the stairs. It was no use trying the lift. Even at the best of times it was seldom working, and at present the electric current was cut off during daylight hours. It was part of the economy drive in preparation for Hate Week. The flat was on the seventh floor, and Winston, who was thirty-nine and had a varicose ulcer above his right ankle, went slowly, resting several times on the way. On each landing, opposite the lift-shaft, the poster with the enormous face gazed from the wall. It was one of those pictures which are so contrived that the eyes follow you about when you move. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU, the caption beneath it ran." (George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four, June 1949) - Here, "that" functions as a demonstrative pronoun ("one of those pictures which are so contrived that the eyes follow you") and a conjunction ("that the eyes follow you").
Newspapers:
"The government announced that new regulations will be implemented next month to curb inflation." (The Daily Nation) - "That" introduces a noun clause.
"Experts warn that the recent rise in global temperatures could have irreversible consequences for the environment." (The Standard) - Again, "that" introduces a noun clause.
Online Publications:
"Researchers found that consuming a plant-based diet can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease." (Healthline.com) - "That" introduces a noun clause.
"Many users are reporting that the latest software update has improved performance considerably." (TechCrunch.com) - "That" introduces a noun clause.
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film Dialogue: "I've got a bad feeling about that." (Han Solo in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, May 1977) - "That" is a demonstrative pronoun referring to a specific situation.
Song Lyrics: "Is that all there is?" (Peggy Lee, "Is That All There Is?", November 1969) - "That" is a demonstrative pronoun.
TV Show Dialogue: "You know, that's what I love about this job." (Various characters, e.g., in The Office) - "That's" (that is) uses "that" as a demonstrative pronoun.
Social Media Post: "Just saw a movie that was incredibly thought-provoking. Highly recommend!" (Twitter post) - "That" is a relative pronoun.
Podcast: "The guest shared some insights that truly resonated with our audience." (A popular current affairs podcast) - "That" is a relative pronoun.
General Public Discourse:
"I can't believe that happened." - "That" refers to a specific event.
"Are you sure about that?" - "That" refers to a statement or piece of information.
"It was so dark that I couldn't see my hand in front of my face." - "That" is a conjunction indicating result.
"He said that he would be here by noon." - "That" introduces a reported speech clause.
10 Quotes Using That
"All that glitters is not gold." (William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, c. 1596-1598)
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror that paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." (Franklin D. Roosevelt, First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1933)
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." (Martin Luther King Jr., "I Have a Dream" speech, August 28, 1963)
"To be, or not to be, that is the question." (William Shakespeare, Hamlet, c. 1600-1602)
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, 1813)
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it." (Lord Acton, Letter to Archbishop Mandell Creighton, April 5, 1887)
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death." (Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, 1986)
"It is not wisdom but authority that makes a law." (Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, 1651)
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." (Eleanor Roosevelt) - Note: Still no "that" in this exact phrasing.
"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, 1998)
Etymology
The word "that" has a deep history, going back to the very earliest forms of the English language and even further. It's one of the oldest and most fundamental words we use.
Its journey starts in Proto-Germanic, the ancient ancestor of languages like English, German, and Dutch. In Proto-Germanic, there was a root word something like *þat or *þata. This word was a "demonstrative pronoun," meaning it was used to point out or refer to something specific. Think of it like saying "this one" or "that one" today. It referred to something that was not close by.
As Proto-Germanic evolved into Old English (the language spoken in England from about 450 to 1150 AD), *þat became "þæt" (pronounced somewhat like "th-at" with a softer 'th' sound, similar to the 'th' in "thin").
In Old English, "þæt" had several important jobs, and these are where we see its first known uses and meanings:
As a Demonstrative Pronoun: Its primary role was to refer to a specific thing or person that was understood or already mentioned, or something further away. For example, in an Old English sentence, "Ic geseah þæt treow" would mean "I saw that tree." Here, "þæt" is directly pointing to "the tree." This is very similar to how we use "that" as a pronoun today.
As a Demonstrative Adjective (Determiner): It also modified nouns, acting like "that" in "that car." So, "þæt hūs" would mean "that house." This is how we use it as a determiner now.
As a Relative Pronoun: It could introduce a clause that gives more information about a noun, much like "who" or "which" does today. For instance, "Se mann þæt me help" would mean "The man that helps me."
As a Conjunction: "Þæt" also started to be used to connect clauses, introducing statements or reasons, similar to our modern "that" in sentences like "He said that he was coming."
Over time, as Old English transitioned into Middle English and then Modern English, the spelling changed from "þæt" to "that," but its core functions as a demonstrative (pointing word), a relative pronoun, and a conjunction have remained remarkably consistent for over a thousand years. It's a true linguistic survivor!
Phrases + Idioms Containing That
Here is a list of commonly used phrases and idioms involving the word "that":
That's that: Used to indicate that a matter is concluded or settled.
That's it: Can mean "that's correct," "that's the end," or "that's all."
That's the ticket: Something that is exactly what is needed or desired.
That being said: Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with what has just been said.
And all that: Used to refer vaguely to related things or a general category.
That's beside the point: Used to indicate that something is irrelevant to the current discussion.
Just like that: Used to describe something happening suddenly and unexpectedly.
Is that so? Expresses mild surprise or skepticism.
On that note: Used to transition to a new topic or conclude a discussion.
That takes the cake: Used to express that something is particularly outstanding, often in a negative or absurd way.
That's the spirit! Used to encourage someone or show approval of their attitude.
That's what friends are for: Used to offer help or comfort, implying mutual support.
You can say that again! Used to express strong agreement.
That's all she wrote: Indicates that something is completely finished or that there's nothing more to add.
That's a wrap! Used to indicate the end of a production or activity, especially in film.
No two ways about that: There is only one possible interpretation or conclusion.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of that from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
