That’s quite a mustache! The Most Important Uses of That in English

In this post we’ll look at all of the uses of that in English. The word “that” is extremely versatile in English and has several distinct uses. First, we’ll look at that as a pronoun. Then we’ll look at that as a demonstrative determiner. Next we’ll see some examples of that as an intensifier.

Uses of That in English: Pronoun, Determiner, Intensifier

Let’s start by looking at some of the less complicated uses of that in English.

That as a Pronoun

One of the most common uses of that in English is as a pronoun, a word that stands in for a noun. That can stand in for a specific, concrete noun. In this use, it usually refers to something further away from the speaker, in contrast to this.

• This is my cell phone, and that is your cell phone.
• What’s that?
  That’s a bread machine.
• Who’s that?
  That’s my husband.
• That‘s quite a mustache!

That is singular. The plural form is those, contrasted with these.

• These are my keys, and those are yours.
• Whose keys are those?
  Those are mine.

You’ll also hear that one to refer to a specific noun, again often contrasted with this one.

• I don’t like this one, but I really like that one.
• That one is too expensive. You should buy this one.

That can also refer to or stand in for an abstract noun, for example a situation or an idea.

• You’re sick? I’m sorry to hear that! I hope you feel better.
• It finally stopped raining? That’s great, maybe we can go to the beach.
• Bill’s quitting the company? Wow, I didn’t know that! That’s a shame.
• Don’t say that! It’s rude!

That as a Demonstrative Determiner

In the examples of that as a pronoun, it stands alone. In other words, it is not right before a noun. Another common use of that in English is as a demonstrative determiner. In this use, that appears right before a noun and functions a bit like the or a, introducing a noun. Again, the plural form is those.

• That mustache is huge!
• That guy has quite a mustache.
• This cell phone is mine, and that cell phone is yours.
• Who does that bag belong to?
• I really don’t like that shirt.
• Those pants are way too tight!

That as an Intensifier

You can use that before an adjective or an adverb as an intensifier, similar in meaning to so.

• It’s already 9:30! I didn’t realize we were that late!
• Don’t complain. It’s not that bad.
• Why are you wearing a heavy coat? It’s not that cold today!
• How does he eat with a mustache that big?

A similar construction uses so followed by an adjective or adverb, followed by a that clause.

• I woke up so late that I had to rush to get to work on time.
• It was so bad that we had to do everything over.
• It’s so cold today that I’m wearing a sweater under my coat.
• His mustache is so big that he has to hold it out of the way when he eats.

Uses of That in English: Relative Pronoun and Coordinating Conjunction

Now let’s move on to two uses of that in English involving clauses, mini-sentences inside larger sentences.

That as a Relative Pronoun

One of the most important uses of that in English is as a relative pronoun. A relative pronoun is a word that introduces a relative clause. A relative clause is like a mini-sentence inside a larger sentence that describes or gives more information about a particular noun. In these examples, the relative clause is underlined.

• The movie that we saw last night was really bad.
• Have you read the book that I gave you?
• What’s the name of the restaurant that we went to last week?

That Relative Pronoun Omitted

That is often omitted in English, but it can only be omitted in certain circumstances. If that acts as the direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition in the relative clause, it can be omitted.

• The car that we bought is a hybrid.
  That is the direct object of the verb bought, so it can be omitted:
  The car we bought is a hybrid.
• The person that I sent a letter (to) never received it.
  That is the indirect object of the verb sent, so it can be omitted:
  The person I sent a letter (to) never received it.
• The pen that I wrote with is missing.
  That is the object of the preposition with, so it can be omitted:
  The pen I wrote with is missing.

If that acts as the subject of the relative clause, it cannot be omitted.

• The bag that is next to the door is empty.
  That is the subject of the verb is, so it cannot be omitted.
  *The bag is next to the door is empty.
• The next train that will arrive on track seven is the one we’re waiting for.
  That is the subject of the verb will arrive, so it cannot be omitted.
  * The next train will arrive on track seven is the one we’re waiting for.

Restrictive That

There’s an important contrast between that and another relative pronoun, which. These two pronouns are not interchangeable; they have different uses. That introduces important or essential information need to know to precisely identify the noun. It’s called “restrictive,” because it restricts the definition or identity of the noun. Notice that you never use a comma before this use of that in writing.

• The book that I read last month was Dune.
  Here, “that I read last month” defines the book. It’s not any book, it’s the specific book that I read last month.
• The country that interests me the most is Japan.
  Here, “that interests me the most” defines the country. It’s not any country, it’s one specific country that I find the most interesting.
• The guy that’s standing next to Mary is her boyfriend.
  Here, we’re not talking about any guy. We’re talking specifically about the guy standing next to Mary, so that information defines and restricts the meaning of guy.

Non-Restrictive Which

Which, on the other hand, is non-restrictive. Which adds extra, but non-essential, information. This extra information is just added in a “by the way” manner. In speaking, there’s often a pause before the which clause, and the tone suggests that it’s added, extra information. In writing, the which clause is always set off by commas. Also note that which never refers to people, just things. (Use who with commas for people.)

• That book, which I read years ago, is for you.
  Here, “which I read years ago” doesn’t define or restrict the meaning of book. It just adds some extra information. You could just as easily leave it out: “That book is for you.”
• Japan, which is an island country, has really beautiful landscapes.
  Here, “which is an island country” is just extra information. You don’t need it to understand what Japan means, and you could also leave it out: “Japan has really beautiful landscapes.”
• Our table, which by the way we bought exactly one year ago, already needs to be replaced.
  Here, “which by the way we bought exactly one year ago” doesn’t give you any necessary information about the table. You already know that we’re talking about our table. The commas and the phrase by the way reinforce that this is not essential information.

Which, unlike that, can never be omitted.

• This film, which is by the same director, was excellent.
  *This film, is by the same director, was excellent.

That as a Subordinating Conjunction

Another very important of that in English is as a subordinating conjunction. This is similar to that introducing a relative clause, but not identical. A relative clause is a clause (mini-sentence) that describes a particular noun in the main sentence. A subordinate (or dependent) clause is a mini sentence that functions as a direct object or some other role other than description. Compare:

• The film that I love most is The Wizard of Oz.
  “…that I love most” is a relative clause. It describes the noun film.
• I said that I loved this film.
  “…that I love most” isn’t describing any noun. It’s acting as the direct object of said, so it’s basically a big noun. But since it’s a clause rather than a noun, we call it a subordinate clause.
• It’s surpising that it’s still snowing so much!
  “…that it’s still snowing so much” isn’t describing anything. It’s referring to a particular situation that is surprising: the length of the snow storm, the amount of snow, etc.

That subordinate clauses typically follow verbs of communicating (say, tell, explain…), verbs of thinking (think, believe, know…), verbs of perceiving (see, hear, notice…), verbs of emotional states (hope, fear, worry…), verbs of (dis)agreeing (agree, deny, confirm…) verbs of possibility or certainty (seem, appear, mean…), and verbs of cause and effect (mean, imply, indicate…)

• They said that they would be here today.
• I think that the neighbors called the police.
• I worry that it’s going to be too hot to eat outside.
• She agreed that the meeting didn’t go too well.
• It seems that we have a problem.
• That means that we’ll have to wake up at 6:00 am.

Omission of That as a Subordinating Conjunction

Remember that omission is always a part of talking about the uses of that in English when that is a relative pronoun or coordinating conjunction. You can omit that when it introduces most subordinate clauses.

• They said they would be here today.
• I think the neighbors called the police.
• I worry it’s going to be too hot to eat outside.
• She agreed the meeting didn’t go too well.
• It seems we have a problem.
• That means we’ll have to wake up at 6:00 am.

The only time that-omission sounds unnatural in subordinate clauses is with “heavy” verbs. A “heavy” verb is a very that has a very specific, detailed meaning. For example, say is not a heavy verb. You can say things in many different ways. But if you use a more specific verb of saying – whisper, scream, mumble, shriek, exclaim, growl, enunciate, pronounce, etc. – that omission can sound unnatural, or even completely wrong.

• He said that he was sorry.
  He said he was sorry. (perfectly natural)
• He whispered that he was sorry.
  ?He whispered he was sorry. (sounds unnatural)
• He growled that he was sorry.
  ??He growled he was sorry. (sounds very unnatural)
• He shrieked that he was sorry.
  *He shrieked he was sorry. (sounds wrong)

The Subjunctive After Verbs of Necessity or Requirement

When looking at the different uses of that in English, it’s necessary to touch on an uncommon verb form, the subjunctive. There are certain verbs that express a demand, a necessity, or a requirement that are followed by a that subordinate clause and a verb in the subjunctive. The form of the subjunctive is simple. It’s just the base form of the verb, in other words the infinitive without to: be, have, go, take, arrive, etc. The most common verbs that take the subjunctive are: suggest, recommend, insist, demand, propose, request, urge, require.

• We need to leave by 8 am tomorrow, so I suggest that you set the alarm early.
• My boss demands that everyone be on time.
• They requested that he come back for a second interview.
• I insist that everyone be careful and pay attention.

Like other that subordinate clauses, that can be omitted in these examples.

• They requested he come back for a second interview.
• I insist everyone be careful and pay attention.

This subjunctive construction can sound a bit formal. It’s most common in writing, but grammar sticklers will use it in speech. Many people avoid the construction altogether by relying on gerunds when it’s possible.

• We need to leave by 8 am tomorrow, so I suggest setting the alarm early.
• I insist on everyone being careful and paying attention.

Uses of That in English: Introducing Subject Clauses

Finally, let’s look at one other use of that in English that you’re likely to encounter: subject clauses.

That Clauses as Subjects

Finally, we’ll wrap up our look at the most important uses of that in English with subject clauses. A that clause can also be the subject of a sentence. In these cases, that cannot be omitted. In these examples, the underlined that clauses function as subjects.

• That she arrived late for work again is very unfortunate.
• That the customer wrote such a negative review was a shock to everyone.
• That you get so angry so quickly makes everyone uncomfortable.

This construction sounds rather formal in English. There are two common ways to express the same thing that sound much more natural and conversations. The fact that can replace that, or it can be used as a subject, and the that clause is moved to the end of the sentence.

• The fact that she arrived late for work again is very unfortunate.
  It is very unfortunate that she arrived late for work again.
• The fact that the customer wrote such a negative review was a shock to everyone.
  It was a shock to everyone that the customer wrote such a negative review.
• The fact that you get so angry so quickly makes everyone uncomfortable.
  It makes everyone uncomfortable that you get so angry so quickly.

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