“That” is a word people use to point to a person, thing, idea, or situation that is already known or easy to identify. It can also be used to connect parts of a sentence or to refer back to something mentioned before.
In daily English, people use “that” all the time to make speech and writing clearer. For example, they may say “that book,” “that was great,” or “I know that you’re busy.” It helps show exactly what they mean without repeating the same words.
Meaning & Usage
“That” can work as a demonstrative word, a pronoun, a conjunction, or a determiner. In simple terms, it often means “the one over there,” “the one I mentioned,” or “the fact that something is true.”
Examples
• That car is mine.
• I remember that day clearly.
• She said that she would call later.
• Is that your phone?
What does “that” usually refer to?
It usually refers to something already known, mentioned before, or easy to identify from context.
Can “that” be used in different ways?
Yes. “That” can point to something, connect ideas, or introduce a clause in a sentence.
Is “that” formal or informal?
It is very common in both spoken and written English, so it works in both casual and formal situations.
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