Parts Of Speech Of The Word That | Clear Usage Guide

English learners meet the word that very early, yet its many roles often stay fuzzy even years later. One little word shifts shape from determiner to pronoun to conjunction or adverb, and the change happens almost silently. A clear map of the grammatical roles of that helps you read with more confidence and write sentences that feel natural.

This guide walks through the main parts of speech of the word that, shows how to test each use, and gives plenty of short examples. You will see how the same letters behave very differently in real sentences and how exam questions usually label each case.

Parts Of Speech Of The Word That In English Grammar

Teachers and grammar books do not always list the same labels for this word. Some work with a short list, while others break the categories into finer groups. The table below gathers the most common ways that appears in modern descriptions of English, which match what major dictionaries and grammar references use.

Part Of Speech	Main Function Of ‘That’	Quick Example Sentence
Determiner	Points to a specific noun	That book is on the desk.
Demonstrative Pronoun	Stands in for a noun	That was my favorite movie.
Relative Pronoun	Introduces a relative clause	The car that broke down was new.
Subordinating Conjunction	Introduces a noun clause	I think that you are right.
Relative Determiner	Links a noun to earlier information	The reason that you gave was clear.
Adverb Of Degree	Shows extent or degree	It is not that hard.
Adverb Of Distance	Shows distance in space or time	Can you run that far?

Reference works such as the Cambridge Grammar pages on that treat it first as a determiner and pronoun, then as a conjunction and adverb. These sources give a good cross-check if you ever need a second opinion.

For learners, the label you put on that matters less than the practical tests you can use. Each use comes with simple questions: What does that point to?Can I replace it with a noun?Does a full clause follow it? With those checks, labels become much easier.

Different Roles That The Word ‘That’ Can Play

Every time you spot the word that, ask first what sits directly after it. The next word tells you a lot about the role. A noun or adjective after that often hints at a determiner. A verb or auxiliary after that may signal a conjunction or pronoun. A comparative or adjective can point to an adverb use.

Another simple habit helps. Try to swap that with a near twin such as this, which, or who. If the sentence still works, you may be looking at a demonstrative or relative form. If you can delete that and the sentence keeps the same basic meaning, you may have a conjunction introducing a clause that acts like a big noun.

From this point on, each section looks at one broad use of that and gives you a shortcut test with plenty of examples. Read the sample sentences out loud and listen to the rhythm of each pattern.

How To Spot ‘That’ As A Determiner

The determiner that sits right before a singular or uncountable noun and singles out one item from others. In this use, another determiner such as the, a, or some cannot appear in the same place. The determiner shapes which noun the speaker means, so a gesture or shared situation often supports it.

Here are some common patterns with that as a determiner:

• That + singular countable noun: That song always makes me smile.
• That + uncountable noun: I do not need that advice right now.

You can check the role of that in this pattern by trying to switch it with another determiner such as this or the. If the sentence stays grammatical, and the noun still sits right after the word, you almost certainly have a determiner use.

School grammar courses often group this determiner use together with demonstrative pronouns and call them all demonstratives. That label tells you that the word points to something already known in the situation.

When ‘That’ Works As A Pronoun

When that stands alone and takes the place of a noun or noun phrase, it acts as a pronoun. In modern grammar, teachers often split this into two types: demonstrative pronoun and relative pronoun. Both carry meaning from an earlier part of the sentence, yet their structure looks quite different.

Demonstrative Pronoun ‘That’

As a demonstrative pronoun, that stands by itself and often appears at the start or end of a clause. It points back to a whole idea or to a specific thing already mentioned.

• That was an honest answer.
• If you won the prize, that would be neat.

A quick test works well here. If you can replace that with a clear noun such as the result, this plan, or the news, you are dealing with a pronoun, not a determiner or conjunction.

Relative Pronoun ‘That’

As a relative pronoun, that introduces a clause which describes or identifies a noun. The clause usually follows the noun it describes and answers questions like which one? or what kind?

• The book that I bought yesterday is on the shelf.
• The students that studied passed the test.

Here, the relative clause can often use who or which instead of that. Many style guides allow you to choose freely, though some suggest using that for things and who for people. The Merriam-Webster page on that versus which gives helpful background on this choice.

With relative clauses that define which person or thing you mean, you usually cannot drop the pronoun that. If removing it breaks the grammar, you are almost certainly looking at a relative pronoun.

Using ‘That’ As A Conjunction

In many sentences, that links a main clause to a following clause which acts like a noun. In this use, it behaves like a subordinating conjunction or complementizer. Many native speakers leave it out in everyday speech, yet in writing, it can prevent confusion or awkward rhythm.

Here are typical patterns with that as a conjunction:

• Verb of thinking or saying + that + clause: She said that she would call.
• Adjective + that + clause: I am glad that you came.

A quick check helps you spot this use. Try deleting the word. If the sentence still makes sense and keeps the same meaning, you probably have a conjunction. The parts of speech of the word that often confuse learners here, since the word feels almost empty, yet it still shapes the link between ideas.

‘That’ As An Adverb And Other Edge Uses

In a smaller group of cases, that works as an adverb of degree or distance. It then modifies an adjective, adverb, or verb instead of pointing to a noun or clause. These uses often appear with comparatives or in set phrases.

• Degree: The task is not that difficult.
• Distance: Have you ever run that far before?

To test this use, see whether you can switch that with so or very. If the sentence still sounds natural and no noun follows directly, the word likely acts as an adverb here.

Some grammar guides treat that in fixed expressions such as that is or that said as a pronoun. For most learners, it is enough to see that in these phrases it still points to earlier information, even if the structure does not fit neatly into one box.

Practice Table For Classifying ‘That’

The best way to master the parts of speech of the word that is to test real sentences. The table below gives practice examples with suggested labels and quick tests. Cover the middle column and try to name the part of speech from context before you peek.

Sentence With ‘That’	Label For ‘That’	Fast Test You Can Use
That painting was done by my cousin.	Demonstrative pronoun	Swap with a noun such as the painting.
I heard that you got the job.	Conjunction	Delete that and check if the clause still fits.
The phone that rang was in my bag.	Relative pronoun	Try who or which in place of that.
That road leads to the station.	Determiner	Check for a noun immediately after the word.
Why did you speak that loudly?	Adverb of degree	Replace that with so and test the sound.

Teaching And Learning The Word ‘That’

For teachers, a simple chart of the main categories keeps lessons clear. Start with determiner and demonstrative pronoun, since these uses tie closely to real objects in the room. Move next to relative clauses, which students meet in reading tasks from middle school onward. Finish with conjunction and adverb uses once learners already feel comfortable with the basic shapes.

For self study, build a small notebook page with four columns: sentence, part of speech, your test, and a short note. Each time you read or hear a neat example with the word, copy it down and label it. Over time, your page will turn into a personal reference better than any printed list.

The different uses of that may look messy at first, yet the patterns settle quickly once you look at real sentences. With practice, you will see that as a friendly signal in a sentence rather than a puzzle. The word will stop slowing you down, and your attention can move to the ideas that writers want you to follow.