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UK [ðæt] / US adverb, conjunction, determiner, pronoun

Summary:

That can be used in the following ways: - as a determiner (followed by a noun): Give me that hammer. - as a demonstrative pronoun (without a following noun): Who gave you that? - as a conjunction (connecting two clauses): I didn't know that she was married. - as a relative pronoun (forming the subject, object, or complement of a relative clause): It's a song that my mother taught me. - as an adverb (before an adjective or adverb): Three years? I can't wait that long.

1)

Word forms "that":
plural those UK [ðəʊz] / US [ðoʊz] the one that is known about

a) used when you are referring to someone or something that has already been mentioned

I know there's a problem, but I haven't got time to worry about that now.

No, I'm not in love with Ken. Where did you get that idea?

It was a secret – that's why they never talked about it.

Why don't you ask Carmen? That's who I'd choose.

b) spoken used for referring to someone or something that the person you are speaking to already knows about

The engine's started making that noise again.

Why don't you invite that nice Mr Clifford?

The children used to love those old Charlie Chaplin films.

Wasn't that the boss's wife you were talking to just now?

2) spoken

Word forms "that":
plural those UK [ðəʊz] / US [ðoʊz] the one that you are looking at

a) used for referring to someone or something that is not very near to you but that you can see or point at

That's Jerry's car, over there.

This is my towel and that's yours.

I need these books, but you can borrow any of those.

Where did that stain on the carpet come from?

Do you know who that woman in the blue dress is?

b) used for referring to something that the person you are talking to is holding or wearing

I like that jacket. It suits you.

What's that you're holding?

3)

Word forms "that":
plural those UK [ðəʊz] / US [ðoʊz] a past time or event

a) used for referring to a period, event, or experience in the past

There were no telephones in those days.

Remember that time we all went to the lake?

He once played for England, but that was a long time ago.

b) used for referring to something that has just happened

That was fun. We must do it again some time.

4)

Word forms "that":
plural those UK [ðəʊz] / US [ðoʊz] a specific one used when you are saying which person or thing you are referring to

All the details were in that letter I sent you last week.

Those who could not walk were left to die by the roadside.

that of:

The voice was that of an elderly woman.

5) British spoken the person you are talking to used for asking who someone is when you are telephoning them

Hello, is that Robert Hoffman? My name is Richard Anderson.

6) strong UK [ðæt] / US

weak UK [ðət] / US used for introducing a statement, idea, fact, or reason

a) used for introducing what someone says, thinks, believes etc

Dawkins believes that his sister was murdered.

There had been some suggestion that I should resign.

b) used for introducing a clause stating a fact

We cannot ignore the fact that there is a shortage of qualified nurses.

That no one remembered her birthday left Marta very depressed.

it is surprising/interesting/important that:

It was surprising that no one had warned them of the danger.

c) used when explaining why someone feels sad, angry, happy etc

I'm sorry that I missed the first meeting.

I am absolutely delighted that we achieved what we set out to do.

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Usage note:
When it does not begin a sentence, the conjunction that is often left out, especially in spoken English, or with some very common verbs: I told them I was busy.

7) strong UK [ðæt] / US

weak UK [ðət] / US used instead of "which", "who", or "whom"

a) used for introducing a clause that shows which person or thing you are talking about, or that gives more information about a specific person or thing

We haven't met the people that live next door.

Think of all the things that have happened to us since we moved here.

We have built a structure that should last for hundreds of years.

I want a car that's reliable.

b) used after a superlative for stating in what situation the superlative is true

It was the worst winter that anyone could remember.

Davis is the most brilliant man that I've ever worked with.

c) used after a word such as "all", "everything", "anyone", or "none"

There was no one that I could ask for help.

Is there anything else that you want to ask?

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Usage note:
The relative pronoun that is often left out when it is the object of a relative clause: Did you find the book you were looking for? In formal written English that is not generally left out.

8) strong UK [ðæt] / US

weak UK [ðət] / US used for introducing a result used after "so" or "such" to show the result of something

It was so cold that the sea froze in some places.

In the morning he had such a headache that he could not even drink his coffee.

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Usage note:
The conjunction that is often left out of expressions with "so" and "such", especially in spoken English: I was so excited I couldn't sleep.

9) spoken used for showing how big or how much used when you use your hands to show how big something is or how much of it there is

I need a piece of rope about that long.

There was only that much left in the bottle.

10) [usually in negatives or questions] mainly spoken very to a very great degree

There's no need to rush around – it isn't that urgent.

I know some people left before the end, but was it really that bad?

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Usage note:
You can also say "It's not as bad/cold/expensive as all that" when you mean "It's not very bad/cold/expensive".

that is (to say) — used when explaining more clearly what you have just said; used when you are going to correct something that you have just said

Some wines have "proprietary" names – that is to say, their names were created by the producers.

I've always enjoyed my work – that is, I did until this new manager arrived.

that's a good boy/clever girl etc — British

spoken used for praising or encouraging a child or an animal

- and all that

- at that

- that's it

- that's that

See:

this