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Wordswarms From Years PastAdjacent Wordsthankworthythankyou Thant thar Thar Desert THARA Tharah Tharm Tharms Tharos Tharp THARRA Tharshish THASSI THAT DAY that is to say that much that'd that'll that's thataway Thatch thatch palm Thatch sparrow thatch tree Thatched thatched roof Full-text Search for "That" 1713 |
That definitions
Webster's 1828 DictionaryTHAT, an adjective, pronoun or substitute. Merriam Webster's
Oxford Reference Dictionarypron., adj., adv., & conj. --demons.pron. (pl. those) 1 the person or thing indicated, named, or understood, esp. when observed by the speaker or when familiar to the person addressed (I heard that; who is that in the garden?; I knew all that before; that is not fair). 2 (contrasted with this) the further or less immediate or obvious etc. of two (this bag is much heavier than that). 3 the action, behaviour, or circumstances just observed or mentioned (don't do that again). 4 Brit. (on the telephone etc.) the person spoken to (who is that?). 5 colloq. referring to a strong feeling just mentioned ('Are you glad?' 'I am that'). 6 (esp. in relative constructions) the one, the person, etc., described or specified in some way (those who have cars can take the luggage; those unfit for use; a table like that described above). 7 (pl. that) used instead of which or whom to introduce a defining clause, esp. one essential to identification (the book that you sent me; there is nothing here that matters). Usage: As a relative that usually specifies, whereas who or which need not: compare the book that you sent me is lost with the book, which I gave you, is lost. --demons.adj. (pl. those) 1 designating the person or thing indicated, named, understood, etc. (cf. sense 1 of pron.) (look at that dog; what was that noise?; things were easier in those days). 2 contrasted with this (cf. sense 2 of pron.) (this bag is heavier than that one). 3 expressing strong feeling (shall not easily forget that day). --adv. 1 to such a degree; so (have done that much; will go that far). 2 Brit. colloq. very (not that good). 3 at which, on which, etc. (at the speed that he was going he could not stop; the day that I first met her). Usage: Often omitted in this sense: the day I first met her. --conj. introducing a subordinate clause indicating: 1 a statement or hypothesis (they say that he is better; there is no doubt that he meant it; the result was that the handle fell off). 2 a purpose (we live that we may eat). 3 a result (am so sleepy that I cannot keep my eyes open). 4 a reason or clause (it is rather that he lacks the time). 5 a wish (Oh, that summer were here!). Usage: Often omitted in senses 1, Webster's 1913 DictionaryBut what is used for but that, usually after a negative, and excludes everything contrary to the assertion in the following sentence. ``Her needle is not so absolutely perfect in tent and cross stitch but what my superintendence is advisable.'' --Sir W. Scott. ``Never fear but what our kite shall fly as high.'' --Ld. Lytton. What ho! an exclamation of calling. What if, what will it matter if; what will happen or be the result if. ``What if it be a poison?'' --Shak. What of this? that? it? etc., what follows from this, that, it, etc., often with the implication that it is of no consequence. ``All this is so; but what of this, my lord?'' --Shak. ``The night is spent, why, what of that?'' --Shak. What though, even granting that; allowing that; supposing it true that. ``What though the rose have prickles, yet't is plucked.'' --Shak. What time, or What time as, when. [Obs. or Archaic] ``What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.'' --Ps. lvi. 3. What time the morn mysterious visions brings. --Pope. Webster's 1913 DictionaryThat That, pron., a., conj., & adv. [AS. [eth][ae]t, neuter nom. & acc. sing. of the article (originally a demonstrative pronoun). The nom. masc. s[=e], and the nom. fem. se['o] are from a different root. AS. [eth][ae]t is akin to D. dat, G. das, OHG. daz, Sw. & Dan. det, Icel. [thorn]at (masc. s[=a], fem. s[=o]), Goth. [thorn]ata (masc. sa, fem. s[=o]), Gr. ? (masc. ?, fem. ?), Skr. tat (for tad, masc. sas, fem. s[=a]); cf. L. istud that. [root]184. Cf. The, Their, They, Them, This, Than, Since.] 1. As a demonstrative pronoun (pl. Those), that usually points out, or refers to, a person or thing previously mentioned, or supposed to be understood. That, as a demonstrative, may precede the noun to which it refers; as, that which he has said is true; those in the basket are good apples. The early fame of Gratian was equal to that of the most celebrated princes. --Gibbon. Note: That may refer to an entire sentence or paragraph, and not merely to a word. It usually follows, but sometimes precedes, the sentence referred to. That be far from thee, to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked. --Gen. xviii. 25. And when Moses heard that, he was content. --Lev. x. 20. I will know your business, Harry, that I will. --Shak. Note: That is often used in opposition to this, or by way of distinction, and in such cases this, like the Latin hic and French ceci, generally refers to that which is nearer, and that, like Latin ille and French cela, to that which is more remote. When they refer to foreign words or phrases, this generally refers to the latter, and that to the former. Two principles in human nature reign; Self-love, to urge, and Reason, to restrain; Nor this a good, nor that a bad we call. --Pope. If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that. --James iv. 16. 2. As an adjective, that has the same demonstrative force as the pronoun, but is followed by a noun. It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city. --Matt. x. 15. The woman was made whole from that hour. --Matt. ix. 22. Note: That was formerly sometimes used with the force of the article the, especially in the phrases that one, that other, which were subsequently corrupted into th'tone, th'tother (now written t'other). Upon a day out riden knightes two . . . That one of them came home, that other not. --Chaucer. 3. As a relative pronoun, that is equivalent to who or which, serving to point out, and make definite, a person or thing spoken of, or alluded to, before, and may be either singular or plural. He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame. --Prov. ix. 7. A judgment that is equal and impartial must incline to the greater probabilities. --Bp. Wilkins. Collin's Cobuild DictionaryI. DEMONSTRATIVE USES Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. Please look at category 20 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword. 1. You use that to refer back to an idea or situation expressed in a previous sentence or sentences. They said you particularly wanted to talk to me. Why was that?... Some members feared Germany might raise its interest rates on Thursday. That could have set the scene for a confrontation with the US. PRON That is also a determiner. The most important purpose of our Health Care is to support you when making a claim for medical treatment. For that reason the claims procedure is as simple and helpful as possible. DET 2. You use that to refer to someone or something already mentioned. The Commissioners get between £50,000 and £60,000 a year in various allowances. But that amount can soar to £90,000 a year... DET 3. When you have been talking about a particular period of time, you use that to indicate that you are still referring to the same period. You use expressions such as that morning or that afternoon to indicate that you are referring to an earlier period of the same day. The story was published in a Sunday newspaper later that week... DET 4. You use that in expressions such as that of and that which to introduce more information about something already mentioned, instead of repeating the noun which refers to it. (FORMAL) A recession like that of 1973-74 could put one in ten American companies into bankruptcy... PRON: PRON of n, PRON pron-rel 5. You use that in front of words or expressions which express agreement, responses, or reactions to what has just been said. 'She said she'd met you in England.''That's true.'... 'I've never been to Paris.''That's a pity. You should go one day.' PRON 6. You use that to introduce a person or thing that you are going to give details or information about. (FORMAL) In my case I chose that course which I considered right... DET 7. You use that when you are referring to someone or something which is a distance away from you in position or time, especially when you indicate or point to them. When there are two or more things near you, that refers to the more distant one. Look at that guy. He's got red socks... Where did you get that hat?... DET That is also a pronoun. That looks heavy. May I carry it for you? PRON 8. You use that when you are identifying someone or asking about their identity. That's my wife you were talking to... I answered the phone and this voice went, 'Hello? Is that Alison?' PRON 9. You can use that when you expect the person you are talking to to know what or who you are referring to, without needing to identify the particular person or thing fully. (SPOKEN) Did you get that cheque I sent?... DET That is also a pronoun. That was a terrible case of blackmail in the paper today... PRON 10. If something is not that bad, funny, or expensive for example, it is not as bad, funny, or expensive as it might be or as has been suggested. Not even Gary, he said, was that stupid... ADV: with brd-neg, ADV adj/adv 11. You can use that to emphasize the degree of a feeling or quality. (INFORMAL) I would have walked out, I was that angry... = so ADV: ADV adj/adv [emphasis] 12. see also those 13. You use and all that or and that to refer generally to everything else which is associated with what you have just mentioned. (INFORMAL) I'm not a cook myself but I am interested in nutrition and that. PHRASE: cl/group PHR [vagueness] 14. You use at that after a statement which modifies or emphasizes what you have just said. Success never seems to come but through hard work, often physically demanding work at that... PHRASE: n/adj PHR [emphasis] 15. You use that is or that is to say to indicate that you are about to express the same idea more clearly or precisely. I am a disappointing, though generally dutiful, student. That is, I do as I'm told... PHRASE: PHR with cl/group 16. You use that's it to indicate that nothing more needs to be done or that the end has been reached. When he left the office, that was it, the workday was over. PHRASE: V inflects 17. You use that's it to express agreement with or approval of what has just been said or done. 'You got married, right?''Yeah, that's it.' = exactly CONVENTION [formulae] 18. You use just like that to emphasize that something happens or is done immediately or in a very simple way, often without much thought or discussion. (INFORMAL) Just like that, I was in love... PHRASE: PHR with cl [emphasis] 19. You use that's that to say there is nothing more you can do or say about a particular matter. (SPOKEN) 'Well, if that's the way you want it,' he replied, tears in his eyes, 'I guess that's that.' PHRASE: V inflects 20. like that: see like this and that: see this this, that and the other: see this II. CONJUNCTION AND RELATIVE PRONOUN USES Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. You can use that after many verbs, adjectives, nouns, and expressions to introduce a clause in which you report what someone has said, or what they think or feel. He called her up one day and said that he and his wife were coming to New York... We were worried that she was going to die... CONJ 2. You use that after 'it' and a link verb and an adjective to comment on a situation or fact. I've made up my mind, but it's obvious that you need more time to think... CONJ: it v-link adj CONJ cl 3. You use that to introduce a clause which gives more information to help identify the person or thing you are talking about. ...pills that will make the problem disappear. ...a car that won't start... PRON 4. You use that after expressions with 'so' and 'such' in order to introduce the result or effect of something. She became so nervous that she shook violently... CONJ: so/such group CONJ cl |