that

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Introducing a clause that is the object of a verb, especially a reporting verb or verb…

   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.
   • I believe that it is true.
   • I can see that the ladder won't reach.
2. 2

   Introducing a clause that is the subject of a verb, especially the 'be' verb or a verb…

   Introducing a clause that is the subject of a verb, especially the 'be' verb or a verb expressing judgement, opinion, etc.

   • It is almost certain that she will come.
   • It amazes me that people still believe this nonsense.
   • The boss ordered that the worker enter the room.
3. 3

   Introducing a clause that complements an adjective or passive participle.

   • I'm sure that you are right.
   • She is convinced that he is British.
4. ›+ 15 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Introducing a subordinate clause modifying an adverb.

      • Was John there? — Not that I saw.
      • How often did she visit him? — Twice that I saw.
      • "[…
   2. 5

      Introducing a clause that describes the information content of a preceding reporting noun.

      • I heard a rumour that they got married.
      • Reports that he left the country are circulating.
   3. 6

      Introducing — especially, but not exclusively, with an antecedent like so or such — a…

      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.
      • The problem was sufficiently important that it had to be addressed.
      • My dad apparently always said that no child of his would ever be harassed for its poor eating habits, and then I arrived, and I was so disgusting that he revised his opinion.
   4. 7

      Introducing a subordinate clause that expresses an aim, purpose, or goal ("final"), and…

      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.

      • He fought that others might have peace.
      • Baſſ[anio]. Be aſſured you may. / Shy[lock]. I will be aſſured I may: and that I may be aſſured, I will bethinke me, may I ſpeake with Anthonio?
      • When hungry Judges ſoon the Sentence ſign, / And Wretches hang that Jury-men may Dine; […]
   5. 8

      Introducing a premise or supposition for consideration

      Introducing a premise or supposition for consideration: seeing as; inasmuch as; given that; as would appear from the fact that.

      • What are you mad, that you doe reaſon ſo?
      • [I]n short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.
      • “She must be wonderfully fascinating,” said Mrs Morel, with scathing satire. “She must be very wonderful, that you should trail eight miles, backward and forward, after eight o’clock at night.”
   6. 9

      Introducing an exclamation expressing a desire or wish.

      • Oh that spring would come!
      • O that they were wiſe, and vnderſtoode, […]
      • 'Would that my rage and wrath would somehow stir me, / Here as I am, to cut off thy raw flesh / And eat it, […]
   7. 10

      Introducing an exclamation expressing a strong emotion such as sadness or surprise.

      • That men should behave in such a way!
      • Oh that I'd never set eyes on him!
      • That you could think such a thing!
   8. 11

      The (thing, person, idea, etc) indicated or understood from context, especially if more…

      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.

      • That book is a good read. This one isn't.
      • That battle was in 1450.
      • That cat of yours is evil.
   9. 12

      The thing, person, idea, quality, event, action, or time indicated or understood from…

      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.

      • That's my car over there.
      • He went home, and after that I never saw him again.
      • ‘Who's that?’ ‘It’s me.’.
   10. 13

       In a relative clause, referring to a previously mentioned noun, as subject, direct…

       In a relative clause, referring to a previously mentioned noun, as subject, direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition; which, who.

       • I didn't see the car that hit me.
       • The CPR course that she took really came in handy.
       • The house that he lived in was old and dilapidated.
   11. 14

       Used in place of relative adverbs such as where or when

       Used in place of relative adverbs such as where or when; often omitted.

       • the place that [= where or to which] I went last year
       • the last time that [= when] I went to Europe
   12. 15

       To a given extent or degree.

       • Here's the measurement – the ribbon must be that long, no longer and no shorter.
   13. 16

       To a great extent or degree

       To a great extent or degree; very, particularly.

       • I was seen quite quickly — I didn't have to wait that long.
       • I did the run last year, and it wasn't that difficult.
       • How was the play? ~ Not all that good.
   14. 17

       To such an extent

       To such an extent; so.

       • Ooh, I was that happy I nearly kissed her.
       • This was carried with that little noise that for a good space the vigilant Bishop was not awak'd with it.
   15. 18

       Something being indicated that is there

       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.

The neighborhood

• antonymhereantonym(s) of “that thing”
• antonymthereantonym(s) of “that thing”
• antonymthisantonym(s) of “that thing”
• antonymyonantonym(s) of “that thing”
• antonymyonderantonym(s) of “that thing”