that

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a determining clause, to refer to a previously mentioned noun, to refer to something previously mentioned, or as a substitute pronoun. Example: I think that the best way to solve this problem is to collaborate.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Odd that).

The Guardian

But never mind that.

The New York Times - Arts

"Although the investigation is in its early stages, we will take action to protect the public if we uncover evidence that could affect the safety of other rides at the park or elsewhere".

The Guardian

Sorry about that.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think it's for women to make a choice about what clothes they wish to wear, if they wish to wear a veil that is for a woman to make a choice.

The Guardian

"I will always treasure my opportunity to have done that with you, and I will always regret the circumstances that brought that work with you to an end".

The New York Times

Amen to that.

The New York Times

That would be absurd.

The New York Times

Who is that?

The Guardian

And that is true.

The New York Times

That may be so.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that" to clearly indicate the specific item, person, or idea you are referring to, especially when there might be ambiguity without it. Always make sure the context provides enough information for the reader to understand the reference.

Common error

Avoid using "that" unnecessarily in restrictive clauses where the meaning is clear without it. Removing "that" can often make your writing more concise and fluid.

Linguistic Context

"That" serves multiple grammatical functions, acting as a determiner to specify a noun, a pronoun to refer to something previously mentioned, or a conjunction to introduce a clause. As Ludwig AI shows, it is versatile and crucial in constructing clear and coherent sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"That" is a versatile word serving as a determiner, pronoun, and conjunction, essential for clarity and coherence in writing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. While highly frequent in news and media, understanding its nuances, such as avoiding overuse in restrictive clauses, enhances writing quality. Related phrases, like "the aforementioned" or "which", offer alternatives for varied expression. By following best practices and being aware of common errors, writers can effectively leverage "that" to communicate with precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which

Substitutes "that" as a relative pronoun introducing a non-restrictive clause.

the fact that

Highlights the factual nature of something, often replacing "that" introducing a clause.

the aforementioned

Replaces "that" when referring to something previously mentioned with more formality.

since

Introduces a reason or explanation, functioning similarly to "that" as a conjunction.

considering that

Introduces a reason or explanation, similar to "that" used as a conjunction.

the one

Specifies a particular item or person, similar to "that" used as a determiner.

because

Provides a direct causal link, similar to "that" implying causation.

in that

Specifies a particular aspect or respect, replacing "that" with a focus on condition.

as

Functions as a conjunction indicating reason or time, similar to "that" in certain contexts.

this

Indicates proximity, contrasting with "that" which implies distance or a previous reference.

FAQs

How can I use "that" in a sentence?

"That" can be used as a determiner (e.g., "That book is interesting"), a pronoun (e.g., "I didn't know that"), or a conjunction (e.g., "He said that he would come").

When can I omit "that" in a sentence?

You can often omit "that" when it introduces a noun clause acting as the object of a verb, such as in "She said she would come" instead of "She said that she would come".

What's the difference between "that" and "which"?

"That" introduces restrictive clauses (essential to the sentence's meaning), while "which" introduces non-restrictive clauses (adds extra information). For example, "The book that I borrowed is good" versus "The book, which I borrowed, is good".

Which is correct, "the fact that" or just "that"?

"The fact that" is more formal and emphasizes the factual nature of something. In many cases, you can use just "that" for a more concise sentence. For instance, "The fact that he arrived late" can be shortened to "That he arrived late".