TKG English Learner's Dictionary

that

3 entries: conjunction · pronoun · determiner

thatconjunction

American /ðæt/ British /ðæt/ also /ðət/ the usual weak form in speech Usually said with a weak vowel, like the a in about: thut. The full vowel of cat is rare in this use.
very commondefining vocabulary

  1. after say or thinkused after a verb, adjective, or noun to introduce a clause that says what someone thinks, says, feels, or knows

    That is often left out in speech and informal writing, especially after common verbs such as say, think, and know: I think she's right. It is usually kept after a noun (the fact that, the idea that) and in formal writing. Apart from a few fixed phrases such as in that and except that, a that clause does not follow a preposition.

    Collocations

    phrase the fact that, the idea that, the hope that

    For translators (sense 1)

    Grammar trap In many languages the word for this that cannot be left out. In English it often is: I think she's right means the same as I think that she's right.

  2. resultused after so or such and a description to introduce a result

    The pattern is so plus an adjective or adverb plus that, or such plus a noun phrase plus that. That is often left out in speech: I was so tired I went to bed.

    Compare so (so alone can introduce a result without such or an adjective: I was tired, so I went to bed)

Usage

That before a noun (that book) is a determiner, that, and that standing alone (I like that) or beginning a clause about which person or thing is meant (the book that I read) is a pronoun, that; this entry covers only that introducing a clause after a verb, adjective, or noun, or after so or such. The demonstrative that has the full vowel of cat; the that of this entry is usually weak: thut.

Common mistakes

I'm sure about that he will come. I'm sure that he will come.
After an adjective such as sure or glad, that comes directly, with no preposition before it.

See also that (directly before a noun: that book); that (standing alone (I like that), or beginning a clause about which person or thing is meant (the book that I read))

For translators

Meaning across languages The two uses of this that are often different words in other languages: one after verbs such as say and think, and one for a result after so or such.

thatpronoun

American /ðæt/ British /ðæt/ In sense 1 that has the full vowel of cat. In sense 2 it is usually weak, like the a in about: thut.
very commondefining vocabulary

  1. this or thata person, thing, or idea that is not close to the speaker, or that the speaker and listener already know, are talking about, or have just mentioned

    That stands alone for something farther away, or for an idea, statement, or situation already talked about, and contrasts with this, which usually points to something near or just introduced. Directly before a noun, that is a determiner, a separate entry.

    Collocations

    phrase that's right, like that, that's all

    Compare this (this points to something nearer or just introduced); that (that directly before a noun: that book, compared with the pronoun use standing alone: I don't like that); those

    For translators (sense 1)

    Grammar trap That does not change for more than one person or thing; the plural form is those, a separate word.

  2. who or whichused instead of who or which to begin a clause that says which person or thing is meant

    This that begins a clause that identifies a person or thing: the book that I read. It is not used after a comma, in a clause that only adds extra information, and it never comes directly after a preposition: the house that I live in. When that is the object of its clause, it is often left out: the book I read. In this use that is usually said with a weak vowel: thut.

    Synonyms which; who

    For translators (sense 2)

    Grammar trap That can stand for a person or a thing, but only in a clause that says which one is meant. After a comma, English uses who or which: My sister, who lives nearby, is a nurse.

Usage

Directly before a noun, that is a determiner, a separate entry: that book. That introducing a clause after a verb, adjective, or noun (I think that it's true), or a result after so or such, is a conjunction, treated at that.

Common mistakes

That are good news. That is good news.
That refers to a single idea and takes a singular verb, even when the idea sums up several things already mentioned; for separate things, use those.
The man which I met was friendly. The man that I met was friendly.
For people, use that or who, not which.
My sister, that lives in town, is a nurse. My sister, who lives in town, is a nurse.
After a comma, in a clause that only adds information, use who or which, not that.

See also that (that directly before a noun: that book); those (the plural of that); that (that introducing a clause after a verb or a result: I think that it's true)

thatdeterminer

American /ðæt/ British /ðæt/
very commondefining vocabulary

  1. far or already knownused before a singular or uncountable noun for a person or thing that is not close to the speaker, or that the speaker and listener already know or have just mentioned

    That points to something away from the speaker, in place or in time, and contrasts with this, which points to something near. It is also used for something already talked about: that idea means the idea just mentioned.

    Collocations

    phrase at that time, in that case, that way

    Compare this (this points to something near the speaker; that points to something farther away or already mentioned); those; that

Usage

Standing alone, without a following noun, that is a pronoun: I don't like that, that's true — a separate entry, that.

Common mistakes

I like the that book. I like that book.
That already points out which one; it is not used together with the.

See also that (that standing alone, without a noun: I don't like that); those (the plural of that)

For translators

Grammar trap That does not change for a plural noun; the plural form is those, a separate word, not an ending added to that.