that
(thăt, thət)pron. pl. those (thōz) 1. a. Used to refer to the one designated, implied, mentioned, or understood: What kind of soup is that?
b. Used to refer to the one, thing, or type specified as follows: The relics found were those of an earlier time.
c. Used to refer to the event, action, or time just mentioned: After that, he became a recluse.
2. Used to indicate the farther or less immediate one: That is for sale; this is not.
3. Used to emphasize the idea of a previously expressed word or phrase: He was fed up, and that to a great degree.
4. The one, kind, or thing; something: She followed the calling of that which she loved.
5. those Used to indicate an unspecified number of people: those who refused to join.
6. Used as a relative pronoun to introduce a clause, especially a restrictive clause: the car that has the flat tire.
7. a. In, on, by, or with which: each summer that the concerts are performed.
b. According to what; insofar as: He never knew her, that I know of.
adj. pl. those 1. Being the one singled out, implied, or understood: that place; those mountains.
2. Being the one further removed or less obvious: That route is shorter than this one.
adv.1. To such an extent or degree: Is your problem that complicated?
2. To a high degree; very: didn't take what he said that seriously.
conj.1. Used to introduce a noun clause that is usually the subject or object of a verb or a predicate nominative: "That contemporary American English is exuberantly vigorous is undeniable" (William Arrowsmith).
2. Used to introduce a subordinate clause stating a result, wish, purpose, reason, or cause: She hoped that he would arrive on time. He was saddened that she felt so little for him.
3. a. Used to introduce an anticipated subordinate clause following the expletive it occurring as subject of the verb: It is true that dental work is expensive.
b. Used to introduce a subordinate clause modifying an adverb or adverbial expression: will go anywhere that they are welcome.
c. Used to introduce a subordinate clause that is joined to an adjective or noun as a complement: was sure that she was right; persists in the belief that rates will rise soon.
4. Used to introduce an elliptical exclamation of desire: Oh, that I were rich!
Idioms: at that1. In addition; besides: lived in one room, and a small room at that.
2. Regardless of what has been said or implied: a long shot, but she just might win at that.
that is To explain more clearly; in other words: on the first floor, that is, the floor at street level.
Usage Note: The standard rule requires that
that should be used only to introduce a restrictive (or defining) relative clause, which identifies the entity being talked about; in this use it should never be preceded by a comma. Thus, in the sentence
The house that Jack built has been torn down, the clause
that Jack built is a restrictive clause identifying the specific house that was torn down. Similarly, in
I am looking for a book that is easy to read, the restrictive clause
that is easy to read tells what kind of book is desired. A related rule stipulates that
which should be used with nonrestrictive (or nondefining) clauses, which give additional information about an entity that has already been identified in the context; in this use,
which is always preceded by a comma. Thus, we say
The students in Chemistry 101 have been complaining about the textbook, which (not
that)
is hard to follow. The clause
which is hard to follow is nonrestrictive in that it does not indicate which text is being complained about; even if the clause were omitted, we would know that the phrase
the textbook refers to the text in Chemistry 101. · Some people extend the rule and insist that, just as
that should be used only in restrictive clauses,
which should be used only in nonrestrictive clauses. By this thinking,
which should be avoided in sentences such as
I need a book which will tell me all about city gardening, where the restrictive clause
which will tell me all about city gardening indicates which sort of book is needed. But this use of
which with restrictive clauses is very common, even in edited prose. Moreover, in some situations
which is preferable to
that. Which can be especially useful where two or more relative clauses are joined by
and or
or:
It is a philosophy in which ordinary people may find solace and which many have found reason to praise. Which may also be preferable when introducing a restrictive clause modifying a preceding phrase that contains
that:
We want to assign only that material which will be most helpful. ·
That can often be omitted in a relative clause when the subject of the clause is different from the word or phrase the clause refers to. Thus, one can say either
the book that I was reading or
the book I was reading. That can also be dropped when it introduces a subordinate clause:
I think we should try again. That should be retained, however, when the subordinate clause begins with an adverbial phrase or anything other than the subject:
She said that under no circumstances would she allow us to skip the meeting. The book argues that eventually the housing supply will increase. This last sentence would be ambiguous if
that were omitted, since the adverb
eventually could then be construed as modifying either
argues or
will increase. · There is a widespread belief, sometimes taught as correct usage, that only
who and not
that should be used to introduce a restrictive relative clause identifying a person. But
that has been used in this way for centuries, going back to the Old English period, and has been used by the finest writers in English, as in
"The man that once did sell the lion's skin / While the beast liv'd, was kill'd with hunting him" (Shakespeare). and
"Scatter thou the people that delight in war" (King James Bible). In contemporary usage,
who predominates in such contexts, but
that is used with sufficient frequency to be considered standard, as in
"The atoms in a diamond ... outnumber all the people that have ever lived or ever will" (Richard Dawkins).
That also occurs idiomatically in reference to groups (where
who would sound peculiar), as in
"[She] had two sons, and settled into raising a family that soon included twin daughters" (David Freeman). See Usage Notes at
doubt,
this,
whatever,
which,
who.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
that
(ðæt; unstressed ðət) determiner (
used before a singular noun)
1. a. used preceding a noun that has been mentioned at some time or is understood: that idea of yours.
b. (as pronoun): don't eat that; that's what I mean.
2. a. used preceding a noun that denotes something more remote or removed: that dress is cheaper than this one; that building over there is for sale.
b. (
as pronoun):
that is John and this is his wife;
give me that. Compare
this 3. used to refer to something that is familiar: that old chap from across the street.
4. and that and all that informal everything connected with the subject mentioned: he knows a lot about building and that.
5. at that (completive-intensive) additionally, all things considered, or nevertheless: he's a pleasant fellow at that; I might decide to go at that.
6. like that a. with ease; effortlessly: he gave me the answer just like that.
b. of such a nature, character, etc: he paid for all our tickets — he's like that.
7. that is a. to be precise
b. in other words
c. for example
8. that's more like it that is better, an improvement, etc
9. that's that there is no more to be done, discussed, etc
10. with that at that thereupon; having said or done that
conj (
subordinating)
11. used to introduce a noun clause: I believe that you'll come.
12. Also: so that or in order that used to introduce a clause of purpose: they fought that others might have peace.
13. used to introduce a clause of result: he laughed so hard that he cried.
14. used to introduce a clause after an understood sentence expressing desire, indignation, or amazement: oh, that I had never lived!.
adv15. used with adjectives or adverbs to reinforce the specification of a precise degree already mentioned: go just that fast and you should be safe.
16. (usually used with a negative) informal Also: all that (intensifier): he wasn't that upset at the news.
17. dialect (intensifier): the cat was that weak after the fight.
pron18. used to introduce a restrictive relative clause: the book that we want.
19. used to introduce a clause with the verb to be to emphasize the extent to which the preceding noun is applicable: genius that she is, she outwitted the computer.
[Old English thæt; related to Old Frisian thet, Old Norse, Old Saxon that, Old High German daz, Greek to, Latin istud, Sanskrit tad]
Usage: Precise stylists maintain a distinction between that and which: that is used as a relative pronoun in restrictive clauses and which in nonrestrictive clauses. In the book that is on the table is mine, the clause that is on the table is used to distinguish one particular book (the one on the table) from another or others (which may be anywhere, but not on the table). In the book, which is on the table, is mine, the which clause is merely descriptive or incidental. The more formal the level of language, the more important it is to preserve the distinction between the two relative pronouns; but in informal or colloquial usage, the words are often used interchangeably
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
that
(ðæt; unstressed ðət)
pron.andadj., pl. those;
adv. ; conj. pron. 1. (used to indicate a person or thing as pointed out or present, mentioned before, supposed to be understood, or by way of emphasis): That is her mother.
2. (used to indicate one of two or more persons or things already mentioned, referring to the one more remote in place, time, or thought; opposed to
this):
This is my sister and that's my cousin. 3. (used to indicate one of two or more persons or things already mentioned, implying a contrast or contradistinction; opposed to
this):
This suit fits better than that. 4. (used as the subject or object of a relative clause, esp. one defining or restricting the antecedent, sometimes replaceable by who, whom, or which): the horse that he bought.
5. (used as the object of a preposition, the preposition standing at the end of a relative clause): the farm that I spoke of.
6. (used in various special or elliptical constructions): fool that he is.
adj. 7. (used to indicate a person, place, thing, or degree as indicated, mentioned before, present, or as well-known or characteristic): That woman is her mother.
8. (used to indicate the more remote in time, place, or thought of two persons or things already mentioned; opposed to
this):
This room is his and that one is mine. 9. (used to imply mere contradistinction; opposed to
this):
not this house, but that one. adv. 10. (used with adjectives and adverbs of quantity or extent) to the extent or degree indicated: Don't take that much.
11. to a great extent or degree: It's not that important.
12. Dial. (used to modify an adjective or another adverb) to such an extent: He was that weak he could hardly stand.
conj. 13. (used to introduce a subordinate clause as the subject or object of the principal verb or as the necessary complement to a statement made, or a clause expressing cause or reason, purpose or aim, result or consequence, etc.): I'm sure that you'll like it. That he will come is certain.
14. (used elliptically to introduce an exclamation expressing desire, indignation, or other strong feeling): Oh, that I had never been born!
Idioms: 1. at that, a. nevertheless.
b. in addition; besides.
2. that is, to be more accurate: I read the book, that is, I read most of it.
3. that's that, Informal. there is no more to be said or done: I'm not going, and that's that!
4. with that, following that; thereupon.
[before 900; Middle English; Old English thæt (pronoun, adj., adv. and conjunction), orig., neuter of sē the, c. Old Frisian thet, Old Saxon, Old Norse that, Old High German daz, Greek tó, Skt tad]
usage: When
that introduces a relative clause, the clause is usu. restrictive, that is, essential to the complete meaning of the sentence. In
The keys that I lost last month have been found, the keys referred to are a particular set. Without the
that clause, the sentence
The keys have been found would be vague and probably puzzling.
that is used to refer to animate and inanimate nouns and thus can substitute in most uses for
who(m) and
which: Many of the workers that (or
who)
built the pyramids died while working. The negotiator made an offer that (or
which)
was very attractive to the union.―The relative pronoun
that is sometimes omitted. Its omission as a subject is usu. considered nonstandard, but the construction is heard occasionally even from educated speakers:
A fellow (
that)
lives near here takes people rafting. Most often it is as an object that the relative pronoun is omitted. The omission almost always occurs when the dependent clause begins with a personal pronoun or a proper name; the usage in the following examples is standard in all varieties of speech and writing:
The mechanic (that) we take our car to is very reliable. The films (that) Chaplin made have become classics.―The conjunction
that is sometimes omitted, often after verbs of thinking, saying, believing, etc.:
She said (that) they would come in separate cars. This omission almost always occurs when the dependent clause begins with a personal pronoun or a proper name and is most frequent in informal speech and writing. See also
which. Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
that
That has three main uses:
1. used for referring backYou use it in various ways to refer to something that has already been mentioned or that is already known. When that is used like this, it is always pronounced /ðæt/.
I was so proud of that car!
How about natural gas? Is that an alternative?
See that - those
2. used in that-clausesThat is used at the beginning of a special type of clause called a that-clause. In that-clauses, that is usually pronounced /ðət/.
He said that he was sorry.
Mrs Kaul announced that the lecture would now begin.
3. used in relative clausesThat is also used at the beginning of another type of clause called a defining relative clause. In defining relative clauses, that is usually pronounced /ðət/.
I reached the gate that opened onto the lake.
that
– thoseThat and those are used in different ways when you are referring to people, things, events, or periods of time. They can both be determiners or pronouns. In this use, that is pronounced /ðæt/. Those is the plural form of that.
1. referring backYou can use that or those to refer to people, things, or events that have already been mentioned or that are already known about.
I knew that meeting would be difficult.
'Did you see him?' – 'No.' – 'That's a pity.'
Not all crimes are committed for those reasons.
There are still a few problems with the software, but we're working hard to remove those.
2. things you can seeYou can also use that or those to refer to people or things that you can see but that are not close to you.
Look at that bird!
Don't be afraid of those people.
3. 'that', referring to a personHowever, you don't usually use that as a pronoun to refer to a person. You only use it when you are identifying someone or asking about their identity.
'Who's the woman in the red dress?' – 'That's my wife.'
Who's that?
4. saying when something happenedWhen you have been describing an event, you can use that with a word like day, morning, or afternoon to say that something else happened during the same day.
There were no classes that day.
Paula had been shopping that morning.
You can also use that with week, month, or year to show that something happened during the same week, month, or year.
There was a lot of extra work to do that week.
Later that month they attended another party at Maidenhead.
5. 'this' and 'these'This and these are used in some similar ways to that and those.
this
– thatThis and that are determiners or pronouns. The plural form of this is these. The plural form of that is those.
This entry deals with the similarities and differences between the ways in which these words are used.
1. referring backThis, these, that, and those are all used for referring to people, things, or events that have already been mentioned. It is more common to use this and these than that and those.
New machines are more expensive and this is something one has to consider.
So, for all these reasons, my advice is to be very, very careful.
You use that or those when you are referring to something for the second time in a sentence, using the same noun.
I know that what I say to a person is seldom what that person hears.
Students suggest books for the library, and normally we're quite happy to get those books.
You usually use that, rather than 'this', to refer to a statement that someone has just made.
'She was terribly afraid of offending anyone.' – 'That's right.'
'That's a good point,' he said in response to my question.
2. present and pastYou can use this or that to talk about events or situations.
You use this to refer to a situation that is continuing to exist, or to an event that is continuing to take place.
'My God,' I said, 'This is awful.'
This whole business has gone on too long.
You use that to refer to an event or situation that has taken place recently.
I knew that meeting would be difficult.
That was a terrible air crash last week.
3. closenessYou use this or these to refer to people or things that are very near to you. For example, you use this to refer to an object you are holding in your hand, or something on a desk or table in front of you.
'What is this?' she said, picking up the parcel on my desk.
Wait a minute. I just have to sort these books out.
You use that or those to refer to people or things that you can see or hear, but that are not very near to you, so that, for example, you cannot put out your hand and touch them.
Look at that bird!
Can you move those boots off there?
When you are comparing two things and one of them is nearer to you than the other, you can use this to refer to the one that is nearer and that to refer to the one that is further away.
This one's nice but I don't like that one much.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012