Cool MateMeaning of That
used for referring to a person or thing that is not near the speaker or as near to the speaker as another
In simple words: used to refer to a specific thing or person
That in a sentence
- Look at that man over there.
- How much are those apples at the back?
- I was living with my parents at that time.
- That incident changed their lives.
- Have you forgotten about that money I lent you last week?
- That dress of hers is too short.
How to use That
Used to refer to something already mentioned or known. In spoken English, it's often used informally. Be careful not to use it in overly formal writing where specificity is needed.
Grammar pattern
standalone pronoun
Memory hint
Think of 'that' as a pointing finger — it points out something specific.
Related words
Collocations with That
- that is
- that way
- that means
- not that
- that much
Opposites of That
Common mistakes with That
- Confusing 'that' with 'which' in restrictive vs non-restrictive clauses.
- Using 'that' when the antecedent is a person (use 'who').
- Overusing 'that' in sentences, which can make them awkward.
That appears in
More words like That
- AbandonB2
To leave someone or something and never return to them.
- AbilityA2
the fact that somebody/something is able to do something
- AbleA2
having the skill, intelligence, opportunity, etc. needed to do something
- AbroadA2
In or to a country that is not one's own.
- AbsoluteB2
total and complete
- AbsolutelyB1
used to emphasize that something is completely true
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Frequently asked questions about That
What does That mean?
used to refer to a specific thing or person
What is the definition of That?
used for referring to a person or thing that is not near the speaker or as near to the speaker as another
How do you use That in a sentence?
Look at that man over there.
Can you give another example of That?
How much are those apples at the back?
What are synonyms for That?
Common alternatives include this, it, those.
What is the opposite of That?
Opposite meanings include this.
What words go with That?
It commonly pairs with that is, that way, that means, not that, that much.
What are common mistakes when using That?
Confusing 'that' with 'which' in restrictive vs non-restrictive clauses. Using 'that' when the antecedent is a person (use 'who'). Overusing 'that' in sentences, which can make them awkward.
How do you pronounce That?
US: /["/ðæt/","/ðəʊz/"]/, UK: /["/ðæt/","/ðəʊz/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.
When should I use That?
Used to refer to something already mentioned or known. In spoken English, it's often used informally. Be careful not to use it in overly formal writing where specificity is needed.
What CEFR level is That?
"That" is at A1 level on the CEFR scale.