rhizoverbBeta
DictionarythatSpecific reference
determiner / pronoun / adverb

that

THAT/ðæt/

Points to something identified or more distant.

The customer points to that green mug in the shopkeeper's hand.

At a pottery stall a customer points precisely at one green mug while the shopkeeper lifts that very SAME green mug. The pointing fingertip is aimed at the green mug held in the shopkeeper hand. All other pottery is brown, no second green mug.
Etymology
thatOld Englishthat

The Old English demonstrative singled something out. Originally restricted to neuter nouns, it later applied to any gender, retaining its role of identifying a particular person or thing.

In context

Leopoldo López0:29
At that time, we started a movement,
How to Defend Democracy — and Fight Autocracy | Leopoldo Lopez | TED
Refilwe Ledwaba1:39
At that point, they changed the instructor.
How to Empower the Next Generation of Pilots | Refilwe Ledwaba | TED

More examples

  • We can leave early, and that works for me.
  • Can you reach those cups on the top shelf?
  • The walk isn't that far.

Forms

that · those

Similar words

this
Usually points to something nearer the speaker or immediately present.
so
Can indicate degree, but cannot point to a specific object.