that

UK[ðæt]US[ðæt]

pron

used to refer to a specific person, thing, idea, or event mentioned, known, or understood by the speaker and listener

det

used to identify a specific person or thing observed or heard by the speaker

conj

used to introduce a subordinate clause, especially one that is the subject or object of a verb

adv

to such a degree; so

Etymology

the word 'that' originates from the old english neuter demonstrative pronoun 'þæt', which is part of the paradigm of 'se' (masculine), 'sēo' (feminine), and 'þæt' (neuter). it derives from the proto-germanic demonstrative base þa-, which is also the source for the definite article 'the'. this proto-germanic form can be traced further back to the proto-indo-european demonstrative stem to-, a fundamental deictic element meaning 'that'. over time, 'that' evolved from its primary role as a simple demonstrative to acquire additional grammatical functions, such as introducing relative and noun clauses, a development common in the history of many indo-european languages.

Analysis

this is a simplex word of germanic origin. it functions as a demonstrative pronoun, determiner, conjunction, and adverb.

Examples

that is the house where i grew up.

look at that beautiful painting on the wall.

i believe that he will arrive on time.