that

Everyday

1. That points to a thing that was named before or that is farther away: «that box over there». tree →
2. That joins a sentence to what someone says or thinks: «I know that 2 + 2 is 4». tree →
3. That can mean «which» or «who» in a description: «the cake that Mum made». tree →
4. That can mean «so» or «very»: «It was not that hard». tree →
5. (casual) «That's it», «that's that» mean it is finished; «and all that» means and similar things. tree →
6. (rude) «that» can point at someone in a cold or rude way: «Who does that think he is?»; «that's rich» is sarcasm. tree →
7. (formal) Exams use «that which», «such that», «given that», «so that» and «in that» to join facts. tree →

In the lessons

a word pointing back: «I cannot do that»; «than that box»; in problems find what it points to; phrases: «that's right», «after that», «like that», «that is to say», «that's all»; in casual talk «that's it», «not that much», «that's so cool», «that lot» (UK, those people); in rough talk «that's rich, coming from you», «don't give me that»; in the exam voice «it is given that», «such that», «that is» (i.e.)

Examples

• That box has 9 pencils. tree →
• Tom has 4 more than that. tree →
• Is that your coat on the hook? tree →
• I think that the answer is 12. tree →
• This is the book that I told you about. tree →
• Those apples are green, but these are red. tree →
• After that, we went home. tree →
• That's it, no more biscuits, you've had 4. tree →
• It's not that hard, just add 'em. tree →
• Don't give me that, you ate 3! tree →
• Find a number such that its double is 14. tree →
• It is given that the box contains 9 pencils. tree →
• That is how I lost it. tree →

Note

Plural: those. «this/these» are near, «that/those» are far. Carries no operation clue; find the thing it points back to. Trap: in «more than that», the number is the one just named. «such that» in an exam gives a condition the answer must meet. «that is» or «i.e.» means «in other words».

In Jewish tradition

a word pointing back: «I cannot do that»; «than that box»; in problems find what it points to; phrases: «that's right», «after that», «like that», «that is to say», «that's all»; in casual talk «that's it», «not that much», «that's so cool», «that lot» (UK, those people); in rough talk «that's rich, coming from you», «don't give me that»; in the exam voice «it is given that», «such that», «that is» (i.e.)

Examples

• These are that Moses and Aaron. (Torah EXO.6.27, JPS 1917) tree →
• I know that he can speak well. (Torah EXO.4.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• that the LORD spoke unto me saying: (Torah DEU.2.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• They die, and that without wisdom.' (Writings JOB.4.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• What knowest thou, that we know not? (Writings JOB.15.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• Or what provoketh thee that thou answerest? (Writings JOB.16.3, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Plural: those. «this/these» are near, «that/those» are far. Carries no operation clue; find the thing it points back to. Trap: in «more than that», the number is the one just named. «such that» in an exam gives a condition the answer must meet. «that is» or «i.e.» means «in other words».