Definition of That
Quick Meaning of That
A word to point to or show a specific person or thing, usually farther away or already talked about.
Detailed Definition of That
A demonstrative determiner or pronoun used to indicate a specific person, thing, or idea that is distant in time, space, or previously mentioned.
How to Pronounce That
Stress pattern: O (1-syllable word).
Tip: The 'th' is voiced /ð/ (like in 'this'). The 'a' is short like in 'cat': /ðæt/.
Watch out: Saying 'dat' or 'dat' instead of 'ðæt' is a common error for non-native speakers.
Origin and Etymology of That
From Old English þæt, related to Germanic languages; same root as 'the' and 'this'.
How to Use That in a Sentence
Each example shows “that” with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.
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“That dog is very friendly.”
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“I like that movie you mentioned yesterday.”
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“Those ideas from the book that we read are important.”
Synonyms and Antonyms of That
Common Synonyms for That
Smart Synonyms for That — When to Use Each
- this
- for something nearer in space or time
- those
- for plural distant or previously mentioned items
Common Collocations with That
These phrases pair with “that” in everyday English:
- that day
- that time
- that place
- that said
- that is
Common Mistakes When Using That
Even fluent speakers slip up with “that”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:
- ✗ Wrong: I like that book but I prefer this one.
- ✓ Correct: I like that book but I prefer this one. (correct)
- Why: Actually correct. Use 'that' for the distant/previous item; 'this' for the current one.
- ✗ Wrong: He said that he is happy.
- ✓ Correct: He said that he is happy. (or He said he is happy.)
- Why: Both are correct. Omitting 'that' in reported speech is optional but grammatical.
Words Confused With That
Frequently Asked Questions About That
What is the meaning of "That"?
A word to point to or show a specific person or thing, usually farther away or already talked about.
How do you pronounce "That"?
The IPA is /ðæt/. The 'th' is voiced /ð/ (like in 'this'). The 'a' is short like in 'cat': /ðæt/.
What part of speech is "That"?
"That" is a phrase at A1 level (Common European Framework).
What are synonyms for "That"?
Common synonyms include the one, such, which.
How do you use "That" in a sentence?
For example: "That dog is very friendly."