that October

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that October" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific October in the past or future, often in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "I remember that October vividly; the leaves were a brilliant shade of orange."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That October, Wall Street crashed.

The New York Times

That October, Boyd got a scoop.

The New York Times - Magazine

That October, Steyer officially stepped down from running Farallon.

The New Yorker

That October was our first profitable month after the downturn.

The New York Times

Let that October war be the last of the wars.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That October, the litigants filed O.T. III materials in court.

The New Yorker

That October belonged to him, and Burns was a footnote.

The New York Times - Sports

Nearly 10 months after that October night, Nixon resigned.

The New York Times

That October night, there was a rain delay of hours.

The New York Times

That October, he and I ran the Columbus Marathon.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"What about Business — which branch is that?" October 31, 2014.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that October", ensure the context clearly establishes which year is being referenced to avoid confusion. Provide additional context if necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "that October" without establishing context. If the specific year hasn't been mentioned, use a more explicit reference like "October 2024" or "October of last year".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that October" functions as a temporal reference, specifically indicating a particular October that is understood or has been previously established within the context. Ludwig confirms its common usage in various forms of writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that October" is a grammatically sound and widely used temporal reference, as supported by Ludwig. It's crucial to ensure contextual clarity when using it, explicitly establishing the year being referenced. While it can be effectively used across a range of contexts, from news reports to personal narratives, being mindful of potential ambiguity is essential. Alternatives such as "in October of that year" or "during that October" can be used for increased clarity or emphasis. This analysis shows that "that October" is a reliable phrase when used thoughtfully and with adequate context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In October of that year

Emphasizes the year in question, providing a slightly more formal tone.

During that October

Highlights that events occurred throughout the entire month of October.

That very October

Adds emphasis to the specific October being discussed.

That particular October

Emphasizes the uniqueness or distinctiveness of the October being referred to.

The October in question

Used when referring back to a previously mentioned October, formal.

That specific October

Clarifies that a particular October is being referenced, excluding others.

That autumn

Broader, seasonal reference that encompasses October but isn't specific.

In the October of that time

More elaborate phrasing that stresses a specific period.

The said October

A somewhat formal or legalistic way to refer back to a previously mentioned October.

That autumnal month

A more poetic way to reference October, highlighting the season.

FAQs

How do I use "that October" in a sentence?

Use "that October" to refer to a specific October already mentioned or understood within the context of your writing. For example, "The summer was unusually hot. That October, the weather finally cooled down."

What can I say instead of "that October"?

You can use alternatives like "in October of that year", "during that October", or "that specific October" depending on the specific context.

Is it okay to start a sentence with "that October"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "that October", particularly if the context is already clear. For example, "That October, the leaves were especially vibrant."

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

"That October" refers to a specific, previously mentioned October. "The October" can refer to a general idea of October or an October that will be defined immediately after. For example, "The October before the recession was a good month".