Word: that Part of Speech: conj Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *tód Proto-Germanic *þod Proto-Germanic *þat Proto-West Germanic *þat Old English þæt Middle English that English that From Middle English that, from Old English þæt (“the, that”, neuter definite article and relative pronoun), from Proto-West Germanic *þat, from Proto-Germanic *þat. Cognate to Scots that, Saterland Frisian dät, West Frisian dat, Dutch dat, Low German dat and datt, German dass and das, Danish det, Swedish det, Icelandic það, Gothic 𐌸𐌰𐍄𐌰 (þata). Further from Proto-Indo-European *tód; compare Ancient Greek τό (tó), Sanskrit तद् (tád), Waigali ta, Lithuanian tai̇̃, Polish to. Pronunciation: /ðət/, /ðæt/, [ˈðat], [ˈd̪aʔ], /ðɛt/ 1. Introducing a clause that is the object of a verb, especially a reporting verb or verb expressing belief, knowledge, perception, etc. Example: He told me that the book is a good read. Example: I believe that it is true. 2. Introducing a clause that is the subject of a verb, especially the 'be' verb or a verb expressing judgement, opinion, etc. Example: It is almost certain that she will come. Example: It amazes me that people still believe this nonsense. 3. Introducing a clause that is the subject of a verb, especially the 'be' verb or a verb expressing judgement, opinion, etc. Labels: literary Example: That she will come is almost certain. Example: That people still believe this nonsense amazes me. 4. Introducing a clause that complements an adjective or passive participle. Example: I'm sure that you are right. Example: She is convinced that he is British. 5. Introducing a clause that complements an adjective or passive participle. Example: Be glad that you have enough to eat. 6. Introducing a subordinate clause modifying an adverb. Example: Was John there? — Not that I saw. Example: How often did she visit him? — Twice that I saw. 7. Introducing a clause that describes the information content of a preceding reporting noun. Example: I heard a rumour that they got married. Example: Reports that he left the country are circulating. 8. Introducing — especially, but not exclusively, with an antecedent like so or such — a subordinate clause expressing a result, consequence, or effect. Example: The noise was so loud that she woke up. Example: The problem was sufficiently important that it had to be addressed. 9. Introducing a subordinate clause that expresses an aim, purpose, or goal ("final"), and usually contains the auxiliaries may, might, or should: so, so that, in order that. Labels: dated Example: He fought that others might have peace. Example: Baſſ[anio]. Be aſſured you may. / Shy[lock]. I will be aſſured I may: and that I may be aſſured, I will bethinke me, may I ſpeake with Anthonio? 10. Introducing a premise or supposition for consideration: seeing as; inasmuch as; given that; as would appear from the fact that. Labels: archaic, poetic Example: What are you mad, that you doe reaſon ſo? Example: [I]n short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only. 11. Introducing an exclamation expressing a desire or wish. Labels: archaic, poetic Example: Oh that spring would come! Example: O that they were wiſe, and vnderſtoode, […] 12. Introducing an exclamation expressing a strong emotion such as sadness or surprise. Labels: archaic, poetic Example: That men should behave in such a way! Example: Oh that I'd never set eyes on him!