Proper Usage of «That» in English
Updated on November 26, 2019
The word ‘that’ is a common word in English that is used in many different ways. Did you notice the use of ‘that’ in the previous sentence? In this case, ‘that’ was used as a relative pronoun as a complement. Often ‘that’ can be used or left out of a sentence entirely. For example, many English students know (that) you can leave out ‘that,’ depending on the instance. This guide to the use of ‘that’ will help you understand when to use the word, as well as when it’s okay to leave it out.
‘That’ as a Determiner
‘That’ is used as a determiner at the beginning of sentences to indicate one object which is far from the speaker. Note that the plural form of ‘that’ as a determiner is ‘those.’ ‘That’ and ‘those’ is generally used with ‘there’ to indicate that the object(s) is not close to the speaker.
Examples
- That’s my friend Tom over there.
- That’s a pencil you have in your hand.
- Those paintings are by Cezanne.
- That is my house on the corner of the street.
‘That’ as a Relative Pronoun
‘That’ can be used as a relative pronoun to connect two clauses. In this case, ‘that’ can also be substituted by ‘who’ or ‘which.’
Examples: That = Which
Tom bought the apples that the man was selling.
OR
Tom bought the apples which the man was selling.
Examples: That = Who
Peter invited the boy that was new in class.
OR
Peter invited the boy who was new in class.
‘That’ in a Clause as an Object
‘That’ can be used in clauses that act as the object of a verb.
Examples
- Jennifer hinted that she would be late for class.
- Doug knew that he needed to hurry up.
- The teacher suggested that we finish our homework.
‘That’ in a Clause as a Complement to a Noun or an Adjective
‘That’ can be used in a clause following a noun or an adjective as a complement. A complement helps give additional information about the noun or adjective. It answers the question ‘why.’
Examples
- Peter is upset that his sister wants to drop out of high school.
- Mr. Johnson appreciates our efforts that have brought in a lot of donations.
- She is certain that her son will be accepted to Harvard.
‘That’ Clause as Subject of a Sentence
‘That’ clauses can introduce a phrase acting as the subject of a sentence. This use of ‘that’ clauses is somewhat formal and is not common in everyday speech.
Examples
- That it is so difficult is hard to understand.
- That Mary feels so sad is very upsetting.
- That our teacher expects us to do two hours of homework every day is crazy!
The Fact That …
Related to the use of ‘that’ clauses as a subject is the more common phrase «The fact that…» to introduce a sentence. While both forms are correct, it is much more common to begin a sentence with the phrase «The fact that….»
Examples
- The fact that he wants to see you should make you happy.
- The fact that unemployment is still high proves what a difficult economy this is.
- The fact that Tom passed the test shows how much he has improved.
Compound Conjunctions with ‘That’
There are a number of compound conjunctions (words that connect) with ‘that.’ These expressions tend to be used in formal English and include:
«in order that,» «so that,» «providing that,» «in case that,» «now that,» «given that»
Examples
- He purchased the computer so that he might improve his typing.
- Susan told him she would marry him providing that he found a job.
- Alice feels happy now that she has moved into a new home.
After Reporting Verbs
‘That’ can be dropped after reporting verbs such as say (that), tell someone (that), regret (that), imply (that), etc.
Examples
- Jennifer said (that) she was in a hurry.
- Jack told me (that) he wanted to move to New York.
- The boss implied (that) the company was doing very well.
After Adjectives
Some adjectives can be followed by ‘that’ when answering the question ‘why.’ ‘That’ can be dropped after the adjective.
- I’m happy (that) you found a new job.
- She’s sad (that) he’s going to move to New York.
- Jack is anxious (that) he didn’t pass the test.
As Object in Relative Clauses
It’s common to drop ‘that’ when it is the object of the relative clause it introduces.
- He invited the boy (that) he met on the train.
- Shelly purchased the chair (that) she had seen at the auction.
- Alfred wants to read the book (that) Jane recommended.
Many people use “which” and “that” interchangeably but the two words are not synonymous.
“Which” and “that” both refer to something previously mentioned when introducing another clause.
The difference between them is “which” introduces a non-essential clause and “that” introduces an essential one.
Read on to learn how to identify clauses and subsequently use the right word every single time.
The Trick for Remembering Which vs. That
There’s a simple trick to remember the difference:
If your sentence has a clause but does not need it, use “which”; if the sentence does need the clause, use “that.”
Before we look at when to use “that” or “which,” let’s quickly discuss what a clause is.
What Is a Clause?
A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate.
A subject is the thing that the clause is about. A predicate contains the verb and says something about the subject.
Examples of clauses are:
- When I was running (dependent)
- That went missing yesterday (dependent/adjective)
- I ate pasta and apple crumble (independent)
There are two main types of clauses: independent and dependent.
Dependent clauses can be split further into noun and adjective clauses.
Within these categories, there are two types of noun clauses, restrictive and non-restrictive, which are essential to understand the difference between “which” and “that.”
Which vs. That: Let Us Explain
The clause that comes after the word “which” or “that” is the determining factor in deciding which one to use.
If the clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence, you use “that.”
If you could drop the clause and leave the meaning of the sentence intact, use “which.”
For example:
- The school that burned down last week is still smoking.
- The school, which burned down last week, is next to Mila’s restaurant.
In the first sentence, the clause “that burned down last week” is essential because it identifies the school that is still smoking. Without the clause, we could refer to any school. With an essential clause, use the word “that.”
In the second sentence, the clause “which burned down last week” is non-essential because it is unnecessary to identify the school. Without it, the sentence would still make sense. With a non-essential clause, use the word “which.”
How to Use Commas with Which vs. That
“Which” and “that” are relative pronouns that begin adjective clauses. Both tell us a little more about the noun they follow.
The clauses that start with “that” are called restrictive because they ONLY tell us about the noun being discussed and are not surrounded by commas.
The “which” clause is non-essential or non-restrictive and is always set off from the rest of the sentence with commas.
Examples of When to Use Which vs. That
- The old schoolhouse, which is one of my favorite historical sites to visit, is in dire need of renovation.
In this case, you could drop the clause “which is one of my favorite historical sites to visit” and the sentence would still make sense.
On the flip side, try this example:
- The type of antibiotic that the doctor prescribed made me nauseous.
Clearly, it’s not just any antibiotic, but the one the doctor prescribed that made you sick to your stomach. The sentence without the clause doesn’t make sense.
Start Editing Like a Pro
Once you’ve checked your use of “which” and “that,” use ProWritingAid to make sure the rest of your sentence is stylistically and grammatically correct, too.
Our Realtime report lets you see and fix grammar, style, and spelling issues quickly. If you would like to know more about a suggestion, just click on the orange “i.”
You’ll see articles and videos to help you learn as you edit.
Extended Example of Which vs. That
In some sentences, both “which” and “that” are grammatically correct but provide slightly different meanings, like in the example below.
- Our home, which has four bedrooms, is located in the Caribbean.
- Our home that has four bedrooms is located in the Caribbean.
The first sentence discusses the location of your only home and it just so happens to have four bedrooms. Lucky you, it’s in the Caribbean.
The second sentence points out that the home you own with four bedrooms is located in the Caribbean, which means you have more than one home. “That has four bedrooms” is how you distinguish between your many homes.
Which vs. That: Quiz
Now that you know how to use “which” and “that,” are you ready for a quick test? I have omitted all commas because otherwise it would be too easy.
1) The lion __ I saw at the zoo scared me.
2) My summer chemistry project __ I handed in yesterday got an A!
3) My dress __ I wore last week has a hole in it.
4) My boat __ is at the summer house in Devon was repainted last week.
5) Jupiter __ is next to Saturn is the largest planet in our solar system.
Answers: 1) either 2) which 3) that 4) either 5) which
A big congratulations if you got all of them right because I was a little mean with sentences 1 and 4. Both the words “that” and “which” are grammatically correct depending on whether you have seen lions in the wild and how many boats the speaker has.
In sentence 4, if they have multiple boats then “that” is correct because it is necessary to identify which boat they are discussing. If they only have one boat then “which” is correct because we would already know where the boat is located and therefore the clause is not essential.
As a writer (me) once said:
“That which confuses you can only make you a better writer.”
Do you have any sentences like this that use both “which” and “that”? Share them in the comments.
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In a recent newsletter, I corrected myself after some readers wrote in saying the word that should have been who in the sentence “There’s not one mother I know that would allow her child to cross that street alone.” However, it got me thinking more about this topic, so I dug a little deeper into what some of the leading English usage reference books such as The Chicago Manual of Style, The Associated Press Stylebook, and various dictionaries have to say on the matter. It turns out the majority of these references allow the use of the word that to refer to people. While I am not personally a proponent of this usage, I think it’s a good time to revisit the rules for who vs. that.
Rule: Who refers to people. That may refer to people, animals, groups, or things, but who is preferred when referring to people.
Example: Anya is the one who rescued the bird.
NOTE: While Anya is the one that rescued the bird is also correct, who is preferred.
Example: Lope is on the team that won first place.
Example: She belongs to an organization that specializes in saving endangered species.
NOTE: While teams and organizations are composed of people, they are considered groups. However, this matter is not always clear-cut. Consider this sentence: “Several of the university’s scientists who/that favored the new policy attended the meeting.” Which is correct, who or that? Does “university’s scientists” seem more like individual people than a group? In cases like this, you may use your own judgment.
You may be asking whether there are any rules guiding when to use the word that and when to use the word which. The answer is yes. That introduces essential clauses and which introduces nonessential clauses. This topic is explored more thoroughly in the grammar tip entitled “That vs. Which.”
Pop Quiz
1. Was it Marguerite who/that organized the surprise party for Johann?
2. Kepler is the scientist who/that proposed the laws of planetary motion.
3. I do not want to go on any amusement park rides who/that involve sudden drops.
4. Oliver is the president of the association who/that nurses injured wild animals back to health.
5. Most of the members of the board who/that voted against the motion to change the bylaws were present at the meeting.
Pop Quiz Answers
1. Was it Marguerite who organized the surprise party for Johann? (that is also acceptable.)
2. Kepler is the scientist who proposed the laws of planetary motion. (that is also acceptable.)
3. I do not want to go on any amusement park rides that involve sudden drops.
4. Oliver is the president of the association that nurses injured wild animals back to health.
5. Most of the members of the board who voted against the motion to change the bylaws were present at the meeting. (that is also acceptable.)
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A light fall of ash, that it may destroy one year’s crop, often pays the farmer well in future years with the fertility it adds to the soil.
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asked Oct 18, 2015 at 7:57
2
Your example is not grammatical in current English.
In modern English, that may be used as a relative pronoun, so
A light fall of ash, that may destroy one year’s crop …
(without the ‘it’) is fine.
But in the example as you give it, the subject it is expressed, so that is not a relative pronoun but a conjunction introducing a subordinate clause. In Early Modern English (the era of Shakespeare and the King James Bible), it could do so, with the sense in order that; but in current English that does not have that function.
answered Oct 18, 2015 at 9:03
Colin FineColin Fine
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I would edit such a sentence to read «… , despite that…», or «… given that …», or «… even knowing that …». I would certainly not publish it in its present incorrect form. Otherwise, Colin Fine’s answer is good guidance for you.
answered Oct 18, 2015 at 9:32
AntonAnton
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The sentence is not grammatically correct. That is a relative pronoun, standing for «A light fall of ash». Therefore, that serves as the subject of the relative clause that it introduces. But you also have an it in that clause. Having two subjects doesn’t make sense; you would have to drop it.
Here is one corrected version:
A light fall of ash, that may destroy one year’s crop, often pays the farmer well in future years with the fertility it adds to the soil.
It’s also possible that you were thinking of using another word there?
A light fall of ash, though it may destroy one year’s crop, often pays the farmer well in future years with the fertility it adds to the soil.
answered Nov 17, 2015 at 18:46
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Spotlight Test 5 (Module 5) + KEY to test — цитаты Теста № 5 с ответами из сборника контрольных заданий УМК по английскому языку серии «Английский в фокусе 9 класс» для учащихся общеобразовательных организаций (авторы: Ю.Е. Ваулина и др./ М.: Просвещение).
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Vocabulary
A. Fill in the missing word. There are three words you do not need to use.
1 No one knows the author’s name, as he chooses to …. • remain •…. anonymous.
2 Jonathan absolutely loves adventure films which are … • set •…… in medieval times.
3 The children had to sit perfectly …. • still •…. while the photographer was taking their picture.
4 Some Hollywood actors like to perform their own ….. • stunts •…… no matter how dangerous these are.
5 The artist’s …. • miniature •…… sculptures are so small that they fit on the top of a pinhead.
6 Most of his paintings …. • portray •….. scenes from the town where he grew up.
7 You can’t draw graffiti on that man’s house, it’s ….. • private •…… property!
8 Children often express their ….. • artistic •…… creativity through finger painting and drawing.
9 Ian loves crime novels because they always have interesting and mysterious …. • plots •……
В. Fill in the correct phrase.
10 Rick loves …… • action-packed •……. films, as they are full of excitement and adventure scenes.
11 Shakespeare in Love is a great romantic comedy with an amazing …..• all-star •….. cast including Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow and Geoffrey Rush.
12 Steve made a fantastic replica of an ancient ship in …..• model making •……. class.
13 The …..• special effects •…… in Harry Potter were brilliant; it really looked like the characters could do magic!
14 The …..• box office •…… success Mama Mia made over 69 million pounds in the UK alone.
15 Claire made a beautiful clay vase on the ……• potter’s wheel •……. we gave her for her birthday.
Grammar
C. Complete the sentences using the correct form of the words in brackets.
16 John is by far the most talented pupil in the art class.
17 Which of Beethoven’s compositions do you think is the most famous ?
18 Sue has been practicing a lot, so her artwork is getting better and better all the time.
19 That’s the worst film I’ve ever seen; the characters were shallow and the ending was dull and predictable.
20 Nick sculpts much more accurately than I do because he pays attention to every little detail.
21 The more Anne practiced, the easier it became for her to paint portraits.
22 The author’s book is quite good, but it’s not as interesting as his last novel.
23 Willard Wigan’s sculptures are the tiniest works of art in the world.
D. Underline the correct item.
24 We left in the middle of the film because it was extremely/completely slow-paced.
25 Tim would sooner/would prefer see a science fiction film than a comedy.
26 The theatre was totally/fairly empty, as they had cancelled Monday night’s performance.
27 Sarah is slightly/totally nervous about singing in front of a live audience tomorrow night.
28 We would prefer/would rather go to a classical music concert than go to a rock concert.
29 The Sydney Opera House is a very/completely famous theatre in Australia.
30 It’s fairly/completely impossible to find tickets to the ballet.
31 Jane would rather/would prefer to take pottery classes than learn how to sculpt.
32 It was absolutely/rather late, so Annabel put her paintbrushes away and decided to stop painting for the day.
33 Olga prefers/would rather going to the cinema on a weekday, when it’s not so crowded.
Everyday English
E. Complete the dialogue using the phrases below.
Chris: Hey, Pete. We’re all going to a jazz concert tonight. Do you want to come with us?
Pete: 34) I can’t make it, I’m afraid. And to be honest, I’m not too keen on jazz.
Chris: I didn’t know that. 35) What sort of music do you like?
Pete: Actually, I’m really into classical music.
Chris: I like that too. 36) What do you think of Mozart?
Pete: My favourite!
Chris: Well, that’s great, because I have tickets to The Magic Flute. Do you like it?
Pete: 37) I absolutely love it!
Chris: So, do you fancy coming to that?
Pete: 38) Sure, count me in!
Reading
F. Read the text and answer the questions that follow.
WEEKEND ARTS REVIEW: FILMS
А. The Class
The Class is about a young teacher who works at a school in a poor area of Paris and his difficult students. The story was originally a book written by Francois Begaudeau. The film tells the sad story of how a teacher tries to teach his class of teenage students but fails, because the students don’t respect education or teachers, and because they have no desire to learn. Everyone who stars in the film (including Begaudeau, who plays himself) is a non-professional. People expect The Class to be boring because the teacher-student theme has appeared in films many times before, but it isn’t. It is an absolutely brilliant film and no one should miss it.
B. Slumdog Millionaire
Director Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire is the story of Jamal, a poor boy in India, who goes on the TV show ‘Who wants to be a millionaire?’. The story was originally a prize-winning novel by Indian author Vikas Swarup. Jamal wins the TV show. But before he does, they take him to a police station because the police think that he is cheating. While the police ask Jamal questions, we see events from Jamal’s life which explain why he knows the answers.
At one point, the creators of Slumdog Millionaire had decided not to show it in film theatres, and just make it into a DVD. Luckily they changed their minds, because this film is now an international hit!
C. American Teen
American Teen is a documentary film by director Nanette Burstein. Burnstein filmed the lives of five teenagers, who go to a school in Indiana, USA. She followed the students filming their everyday lives for a year, because she wanted to show what it is like to be a teenager in America today.
American Teen is an enjoyable documentary, but sometimes it doesn’t feel true to life. In fact, some film critics think that Burstein gave the teens lines to learn. But in interviews, the teenagers have always said that the film is 100% real-life and no one is acting.
Whether real-life or not, American Teen is an entertaining look at young people today.
Which film (A, B, or C) …
39 is extremely popular all over the world? B
40 is about someone trying but not succeeding? A
41 does not seem realistic to some people? C
42 was first a very successful book? B
43 is about daily life experiences? C
44 is interesting even though the plot is not original? A
45 was not going to play in cinemas at first? B
Listening
G. Listen to some people talking about music on a radio programme and match the speakers (1-5) to the statements (A-E).
A The speaker enjoys going to concerts. 48 Speaker 3
В The speaker is not sure he/she is talented enough. 50 Speaker 5
C The speaker only likes listening to a particular type of music. 49 Speaker 4
D The speaker’s family inspired him/her to become a professional musician. 46 Speaker 1
E The speaker feels nervous about performing in public. 47 Speaker 2
Вы смотрели: Spotlight Test 5 (Module 5) + KEY to test — цитаты Теста № 5 с ответами из сборника контрольных заданий УМК по английскому языку серии «Английский в фокусе» для учащихся 9 класса общеобразовательных организаций. Авторы: Ю.Е. Ваулина и др.
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