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Editorial Guides For "that"

Which vs That: Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Clauses

Use which and that with confidence in formal and everyday writing.

That

//ðət// adv, conj, det, noun, pron, slang

Definitions

Adverb

1
To a given extent or degree.; Denoting an equal degree. not-comparable
"Here's the measurement – the ribbon must be that long, no longer and no shorter."
2
To a given extent or degree.; Denoting 'as much', 'no less'. not-comparable
"She said we waited for three hours, but I'm sure it wasn't that long."
3
To a great extent or degree; very, particularly. not-comparable
"I was seen quite quickly — I didn't have to wait that long."
4
To such an extent; so. Australia, British, informal, not-comparable
"Ooh, I was that happy I nearly kissed her."

Conjunction

1
Introducing a clause that is the object of a verb, especially a reporting verb or verb expressing belief, knowledge, perception, etc.
"He told me that the book is a good read."
2
Introducing a clause that is the subject of a verb, especially the 'be' verb or a verb expressing judgement, opinion, etc.; As delayed subject.
"It is almost certain that she will come."
3
Introducing a clause that is the subject of a verb, especially the 'be' verb or a verb expressing judgement, opinion, etc.; As direct subject. literary
"That she will come is almost certain."
4
Introducing a clause that complements an adjective or passive participle.
"I'm sure that you are right."
5
Introducing a clause that complements an adjective or passive participle.; Expressing a reason or cause: because, in that.
"Be glad that you have enough to eat."

Show 7 more definitions

6
Introducing a subordinate clause modifying an adverb.
"Was John there? — Not that I saw."
7
Introducing a clause that describes the information content of a preceding reporting noun.
"I heard a rumour that they got married."
8
Introducing — especially, but not exclusively, with an antecedent like so or such — a subordinate clause expressing a result, consequence, or effect.
"The noise was so loud that she woke up."
9
Introducing a subordinate clause that expresses an aim, purpose, or goal ("final"), and usually contains the auxiliaries may, might, or should: so, so that, in order that. dated
"He fought that others might have peace."
10
Introducing a premise or supposition for consideration: seeing as; inasmuch as; given that; as would appear from the fact that. archaic, poetic
"What are you mad, that you doe reaſon ſo?"
11
Introducing an exclamation expressing a desire or wish. archaic, poetic
"Oh that spring would come!"
12
Introducing an exclamation expressing a strong emotion such as sadness or surprise. archaic, poetic
"That men should behave in such a way!"

Determiner

1
The (thing, person, idea, etc) indicated or understood from context, especially if more remote physically, temporally or mentally than one designated as "this", or if expressing distinction. demonstrative
"That book is a good read. This one isn't."

Noun

1
Something being indicated that is there; one of those.
"As such, they do not have the ontological weight of "Being" and "Not-being," but serve simply as an explanatory vocabulary necessary to describe our world of thises and thats."

Pronoun

1
The thing, person, idea, quality, event, action, or time indicated or understood from context, especially if more remote geographically, temporally or mentally than one designated as "this", or if expressing distinction. demonstrative
"That's my car over there."
2
The thing, person, idea, quality, event, action, or time indicated or understood from context, especially if more remote geographically, temporally or mentally than one designated as "this", or if expressing distinction.; Used to refer to a noun phrase or statement just made. demonstrative
"They're getting divorced. What do you think about that?"
3
The thing, person, idea, quality, event, action, or time indicated or understood from context, especially if more remote geographically, temporally or mentally than one designated as "this", or if expressing distinction.; Used to emphatically affirm or deny a previous statement or question. demonstrative
"The water is so cold! — That it is."
4
In a relative clause, referring to a previously mentioned noun, as subject, direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition; which, who. relative
"I didn't see the car that hit me."
5
Used in place of relative adverbs such as where or when; often omitted. colloquial, relative
"the place that [= where or to which] I went last year"

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English that, from Old English þæt (“the, that”, neuter definite article and relative pronoun), from Proto-West Germanic *þat, from Proto-Germanic *þat. Cognate to Scots that, Saterland Frisian dät, West Frisian dat, Dutch dat, Low German dat and datt, German dass and das, Danish det, Swedish det, Icelandic það, Gothic 𐌸𐌰𐍄𐌰 (þata). Further from Proto-Indo-European *tód; compare Ancient Greek τό (tó), Sanskrit तद् (tád), Waigali ta, Lithuanian tai̇̃, Polish to.

Etymology 2

Etymology 3

Etymology 4

Etymology 5

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