That is beautiful, isn’t it?

Today’s English
June 27th, 2017

“That" is an important word in English in the sense that that is frequently used as various parts of speech in different contexts.  Here are few things that may be useful when you use that in your speech and writing:

1. Can we omit that? Yes, but not always.

“That" can be dropped out in spoken English in subordinate clause and in defining clause but “ that” is compulsory when main clause and defining clause have same subjects.

Examples:
A. He says (that) he cannot join with us today. (That is omitted in spoken English)
B. The matter (that) I have already told you must be kept secret. (That can be omitted because the matter and I are two different subjects)
C. The idea that is useless always goes unnoticed. (Here that cannot be omitted because the idea is the only subject both for the main clause and the defining clause)

2. Which is correct – That or who?

Purists in English argue,” that “ should be used for non-human references and “who" should be used for “human references” in defining clause.  But modern standard English accepts “who" for human reference” and “that” for both.

A. Anyone who gets first mark will be awarded with a prize. (Correct)
Anyone that gets first mark will be awarded with a prize. (Correct)
Any book that is useful for students can be gifted as a prize.

3. Which is correct -That or which?

You can use that and which alternatively in many contexts but only “which" should be used when you give additional information through a clause.

A. A mobile that is only for attending call is my mother’s choice. (Correct)
A mobile which is only for attending call is my mother’s choice.(Correct)
B. Olympic games, which were first held in Olympia, Greece, are the foremost inspiring games for many sportsmen. (Correct)
Olympic games, that were first held in Olympia, Greece, are the foremost inspiring games for many sportsmen. (Incorrect)

4. That can be used in the beginning, middle and end of a sentence

That he goes to gym everyday is a lie.

It’s said that he goes to gym everyday.

I don’t like the way he talked about that.

5. Using two that nearby is not an error.

A. Do you know that that is actually my idea.
B. Everyone knows that that will not work out.

6. That’s about all / that’s about it = you have said everything and have nothing more to say

A. Please don’t go with him and you will be in trouble. That’s about it.
B. If you don’t get 80%, you cannot sit the exam. That’s about all.

7. That is a pronoun, an adjective and an adverb not merely a conjunction

A. That is my teacher. That is my book.  (Used as a pronoun)
B. That programme is very boring. (An adjective)
C. I can say only that much. (An Adverb)

8. How about that? = What do you think about that?

A. I think, we can go to a movie this evening. How about that?
B. Shall we give a surprise gift to Uma? How about that?

(Friend 1 : that’s beautiful, isn’t it?

Friend 2: What?

Friend 1: That which is beyond all these visible things.

Friend 2: What is that?

Friend 1: I say that that can be known only by going beyond that.

Friend:………….!? )