That

Definition

That is a demonstrative pronoun, determiner, or conjunction used to refer to a specific person, thing, or idea, often distinguishing it from others or connecting clauses.

Parts of Speech

• Pronoun
• Determiner
• Conjunction

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ðæt/
• Respelling: THAT

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ðæt/
• Respelling: THAT

Etymology

The word "that" originates from Old English "þæt," a neuter singular form of the demonstrative pronoun "se" or "þe," meaning "the" or "that." It is derived from Proto-Germanic "*þat" and Proto-Indo-European "*tod" (this or that).

Derivatives

• Thatness (noun, rare)
• Thattish (adjective, rare)
• That'll (contraction, informal)
• That-wise (adverb, archaic)
• That-like (adjective, informal)

Synonyms

• Which
• Such
• Those

Antonyms

• This
• These
• None

Usage

The word "that" is used as a pronoun to indicate something specific, as in "That is my book." As a determiner, it identifies a specific item, as in "That car is red." As a conjunction, it introduces clauses, as in "I know that you are here."

Related Terms

• This: Refers to something close or immediate.
• Those: Refers to plural forms of "that."
• Which: Refers to a choice or distinction between items.

Detailed Definitions

Pronoun

• Used to identify or specify a person, thing, or idea: Refers to something distinct from the current context.
  • Example: "That is the book I was talking about."

Determiner

• Used to point out a specific item: Refers to an object or person at a distance.
  • Example: "I prefer that color over this one."

Conjunction

• Used to introduce a clause: Refers to connecting dependent clauses or ideas.
  • Example: "She said that she would come."