rhizoverbBeta
DictionarythatIdentifying clause
pronoun

that

Introduces a clause specifying which person or thing is meant.

The jacket that hangs by the door belongs to Maya.

Etymology
thatOld Englishthat

The identifying demonstrative developed into a relative marker. It introduces information specifying the person or thing intended.

More examples

  • The neighbor that helps us garden lives across the street.
  • I finally found the book that you recommended.
  • The chair that I sat on wobbled.

Forms

that

Similar words

who
Refers to people rather than both people and things.
which
Refers to things and also introduces nonrestrictive clauses.