What Part of Speech is That: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

The English language is made up of several parts of speech, each serving a unique purpose in a sentence. One such part of speech is ‘that’. But what part of speech is that? Let’s dive in and find out.

Understanding Parts of Speech

Parts of speech are categories that are used to describe the function of words in the context of grammar. English has eight parts of speech: noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, conjunction, and interjection.

Defining Different Parts of Speech

‘That’ is a very common word in both writing and speaking. We use it as a determiner, a demonstrative pronoun, a relative pronoun, and a conjunction.

‘That’ as a Definite Article

The word ‘that’ can be used as a definite article when it is used to indicate something specific that the listeners or readers already know. For instance, in the sentence: “Pick up that book on the floor.” The person being talked to knows exactly what ‘book’ the speaker is referring to.

Examples of ‘That’ as a Definite Article

Here are some examples of ‘that’ used as a definite article:

“Look at that old woman.”

“She lived in New York at that time.”
“Where is that friend of yours?”

‘That’ as a Demonstrative Pronoun

The word ‘that’ is often used as a demonstrative pronoun in English. It is used to point forward to something previously mentioned or understood, or to point backward to something about to be mentioned.

Examples of ‘That’ as a Demonstrative Pronoun

Here are some examples of ‘that’ used as a demonstrative pronoun:

“I don’t think that is a good idea.”
“That is my book.”

‘That’ as a Relative Pronoun

‘That’ can also function as a relative pronoun in English. It is used to introduce a defining or restrictive clause and is typically used to refer to things rather than people.

Examples of ‘That’ as a Relative Pronoun

Here are some examples of ‘that’ used as a relative pronoun:

“The book that I borrowed from you is excellent.”

“I have a friend that lives in New York.”

‘That’ as a Conjunction

‘That’ is also commonly used as a conjunction in English. As a conjunction, ‘that’ is used to introduce a clause expressing purpose, result, consequence, or reason.

Examples of ‘That’ as a Conjunction

Here are some examples of ‘that’ used as a conjunction:

“I think that you are right.”
“He said that he was tired.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, ‘that’ is a versatile word in the English language. While it is most commonly used as a demonstrative pronoun, a relative pronoun, and a conjunction, it can also function as a definite article in certain contexts. Understanding how ‘that’ functions in a sentence can help improve both your comprehension and expression in English.

FAQs About what part of speech is that

Is ‘that’ always used as a demonstrative pronoun?
While ‘that’ is most commonly used as a demonstrative pronoun, it can also function as a relative pronoun, a conjunction, and a definite article in certain contexts. (Topic: what part of speech is that)
Can ‘that’ be used to connect any two words?

‘That’ as a conjunction can be used to connect clauses, but not individual words. (Topic: what part of speech is that)
Can ‘that’ start a sentence?
Yes, ‘that’ can start a sentence when it is used as a demonstrative pronoun or a conjunction. (Topic: what part of speech is that)

What is the role of ‘that’ in a list?
In a list, ‘that’ is typically not used unless it is part of the items in the list. (Topic: what part of speech is that)
How is ‘that’ used as a relative pronoun?

As a relative pronoun, ‘that’ is used to introduce a defining or restrictive clause and is typically used to refer to things rather than people. (Topic: what part of speech is that)
How is ‘that’ used as a conjunction?
As a conjunction, ‘that’ is used to introduce a clause expressing purpose, result, consequence, or reason. (Topic: what part of speech is that)

Can ‘that’ be used in place of ‘which’ or ‘who’?
Yes, ‘that’ can often be used in place of ‘which’ or ‘who’, especially in defining clauses. However, ‘which’ is typically used for non-defining clauses, and ‘who’ is typically used when referring to people. (Topic: what part of speech is that)
Is ‘that’ used in formal or informal English?

‘That’ is used in both formal and informal English. Its usage depends more on the context and the specific role it is playing in the sentence. (Topic: what part of speech is that)
Can ‘that’ be omitted in a sentence?
In some cases, ‘that’ can be omitted from a sentence without changing the meaning. This is often the case when ‘that’ is used as a conjunction. For example, “I think (that) you are right. (Topic: what part of speech is that)

What is the difference between ‘a’ and ‘that’ as articles?
‘A’ is an indefinite article used before singular, countable nouns which are unspecified. ‘That’ is a definite article used before singular, countable nouns which are specific or known to the speaker. (Topic: what part of speech is that)
Is ‘that’ a common word in English?

Yes, ‘that’ is one of the most commonly used words in English. It can be found in various types of sentences, serving different functions. (Topic: what part of speech is that)
Can ‘that’ be used in questions?
Yes, ‘that’ can be used in questions. For example, “Is that your book?” Here, ‘that’ is used as a demonstrative pronoun. (Topic: what part of speech is that)

What is the role of ‘that’ in indirect speech?
In indirect or reported speech, ‘that’ is often used as a conjunction to introduce the reported clause. For example, “He said that he was tired. what part of speech is that
Can ‘that’ be used to refer to people?

While ‘that’ is typically used to refer to things, it can also refer to people in some cases, especially when used as a relative pronoun in defining clauses. what part of speech is that
What is the difference between ‘this’ and ‘that’?
‘This’ and ‘that’ are both demonstrative pronouns, but they are used differently. ‘This’ is used to refer to something that is near in space or time, or to something that has just been mentioned. ‘That’ is used to refer to something that is farther away in space or time, or to something that was mentioned earlier. (Topic: what part of speech is that)

I hope this article has provided a comprehensive understanding of the different roles ‘that’ can play in English grammar. Remember, understanding the parts of speech is a fundamental aspect of mastering English. Keep practicing and you’ll get the hang of it in no time!