The Indispensable Use of 'That' in English

Efficient use of language can significantly enhance communication. The words 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those' play pivotal roles in English, each with a distinct purpose, especially when it comes to specifying the proximity of objects or concepts to the speaker. Understanding the nuances of 'that' can greatly improve your command of English and align with the Google-friendly SEO practices.

Understanding 'That'

'That' is a versatile word in English serving multiple roles such as an adjective, pronoun, and conjunction. It can also function as a determiner, helping to indicate which object is being referred to, especially when that object is farther from the speaker. The opposite of 'this,' 'that' is used to point to something further away, while 'this' indicates something closer.

Uses of 'That'

As a Determiner: 'That' can be used to indicate one object that is far from the speaker. For instance, in the sentence 'That is the corner where Lisa was last seen,' 'that' is used to clarify that we are talking about a specific corner that is not immediately in front of the speaker. Its plural form is 'those,' referring to multiple objects. These words are also used with 'there' to indicate that the object is not close to the speaker.

Comparing 'This' and 'That'

This and that are used with singular subjects, distinguishing between objects near and far from the speaker. For example, 'This book is more interesting than that book.' indicates books within and outside the speaker's reach, respectively. On the other hand, these and those are plural determiner pronouns used with multiple subjects to show proximity or distance. 'These cupcakes taste a lot better than those cupcakes' demonstrates the contrast clearly.

Other Uses of 'That'

Relative Pronoun: 'That' can also function as a relative pronoun. It can be used to introduce a relative clause and often replaces 'which' or 'who' when referring to objects or animals. For example, 'The dog that came here yesterday was black.' In this sentence, 'that' introduces a clause that modifies 'dog,' specifying when it came.

Conjunction: 'That' can also be used to introduce clauses, often without needing a pronoun. It is often used in sentences where it connects a main clause with a subordinate clause. For instance, 'I insist that the charges were false.' Here, 'that' introduces the subordinate clause. It is also commonly used in exclamations, such as 'That is truly an unbelievable story.' In this case, 'that' stands alone to emphasize the statement.

Practical Examples

Use in Complimentary Statements: When complimenting something, 'that' helps in specifying the object being referred to. For instance, 'Jody's was a nice question.' indicates that a question made by Jody was nice. Note that in such cases, 'that' can often be omitted without changing the meaning of the sentence. For example, 'It’s not that I don’t believe you' is a more natural way to say 'It's not the fact that I don’t believe you.'

Identification: 'That' is frequently used for identification. For example, "That is the girl I saw" introduces a specific girl to the conversation. Notice that 'that' and 'I saw' work together to pinpoint the subject. Similarly, 'That is the table that I will use' identifies a particular table being referred to. The sentence 'Whose that' or 'What is that' seeks clarification about an unknown object or entity closer to the listener.

Verbs of Attribution

Say, State, Announce: When using verbs of attribution such as 'said,' 'stated,' or 'announced,' 'that' can be omitted without a loss of meaning. For example, 'He said that he was tired' is better said as 'He said he was tired.' Similarly, 'He will understand that I was only joking.' can be more succinctly written as 'He will understand I was only joking.' In these cases, 'that' effectively serves as a placeholder, enhancing clarity and conciseness.

Paul tasted the wine that his wife bought for him.' Here, 'that' introduces the clause explaining what Paul tasted. Note that 'that' can be omitted without significantly changing the meaning, making the sentence more direct: 'Paul tasted the wine his wife bought for him.'

Johnson isn’t doing that course. This sentence indicates that Johnson is not enrolled in a specific course. The use of 'that' is clear and concise in specifying the course being referred to.

Maintaining Clarity and Conciseness: Shortening sentences where 'that' is unnecessary can enhance readability and clarity, making your text more appealing to Google's algorithms. This practice aligns with Google's preference for content that is clear, concise, and easy to read. By using 'that' judiciously, you can improve the overall readability and SEO effectiveness of your content.