User:Raelin

Greetings, gentle reader.

'That', get thee down!

Know that I am at odds with over-use of the word That; (that) being necessary only when it is. (See where it worked and where it didn't?).

If editing (or even just reading) a sentence with the word that, please try without it. If still fully understood with no material impact on clarity, style or readability, it's probably best to remove it.

I will, without mercy, remove its overuse and inappropriate use from this Wiki (i.e. most of the time). Read on to see when and why I won't.

Explaining the Use of That in English

The word that can serve several functions in English. It may act as a demonstrative pronoun, a relative pronoun, or a conjunction. Below is an overview of how to use that properly in each role, along with guidance on when its inclusion or omission is appropriate.

1. Demonstrative Pronoun

Example

• “That is my favorite painting.”

In this sense, that refers to a specific thing or idea. If you’re pointing at or referring to something not immediately close to you (physically or metaphorically), that is often used rather than this.

• Use this when referring to something nearby or just mentioned.
• Use that when referring to something farther away or mentioned earlier.

2. Relative Pronoun

Examples

• Restrictive Clause:
  • “The book that is on the table is mine.”
• Nonrestrictive Clause:
  • “The book, which is on the table, is mine.”

That as a relative pronoun introduces a restrictive (essential) clause. Restrictive clauses are necessary to identify or limit the noun’s meaning. Compare:

• “The house that has a red door is mine.”
  • Here, that has a red door is essential to identifying which house.

• “The house, which has a red door, is mine.”
  • Here, the clause is merely additional information; the speaker is not using the red door detail to distinguish the house from others.

Key point:

• Use that for restrictive clauses (no commas).
• Use which for nonrestrictive clauses (with commas).

3. Conjunction (or Subordinating Conjunction)

Example

• “I think that you should go.”

In this role, that introduces a noun clause—often a statement, thought, or indirect speech. The word that can sometimes be optional:

• “I think you should go.” (Without that)
• “I think that you should go.” (With that)

Both are grammatically correct. The choice to include or omit that often comes down to clarity or style. If omitting that causes confusion or makes the sentence sound awkward, keep it.

4. When That is Useful (or Proper) vs. Omissible

• Clarity: If leaving out that causes ambiguity, it is better to include it. For instance, in complex sentences with multiple clauses, that can prevent confusion about which clause modifies or refers to which element.
• Formality and Style: Some writers prefer using that to maintain a more formal tone (I usually don't). Others may omit it for brevity, if the meaning remains clear.
• Restrictive Clauses: When describing a noun with an essential characteristic, that is typically correct (rather than which).
• Demonstrative Pointing: If you’re referencing something further away in space or time, that serves as a useful demonstrative pronoun.

Summary of Best Practices

• Use that as a relative pronoun for restrictive clauses that are essential to the meaning. (No commas required.)
• Use that as a conjunction to introduce indirect speech or a subordinate clause, especially when it helps clarify the sentence.
• Include or omit that based on clarity, style, and readability. If removing that doesn’t obscure meaning, you can omit it; otherwise, keep it.
• Use that as a demonstrative pronoun to point out or reference something specific, often something farther away than this would imply.

By understanding these roles and applying them as needed, you’ll be able to judge when that is truly necessary—and when it can be safely left out—while keeping your writing clear and grammatically sound.

I hope that makes sense.