That

Understanding That

• As a relative pronoun, that starts a relative clause, giving important info about the noun before it.
• As a demonstrative pronoun, that points to a specific thing or things, and it's often used for stuff that's further away or in the past compared to this.

Examples of Using That

• Relative Pronoun: The book that you lent me was great. (Here, that you lent me tells us which book.)
• Demonstrative Pronoun: That was an amazing concert. (Talking about a specific concert.)

Role in Conversation

• Linking ideas or things: She has a strategy that really works. (Connects strategy with more details about it.)
• Referring to specific stuff: That is the phone I want. 📱

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Incorrect Use in Restrictive Clauses:
   • ❌ Incorrect: The song which was playing is my favorite.
   • ✅ Correct: The song that was playing is my favorite.
2. Mixing Up That and This:
   • ❌ Incorrect: This is my friend's house (when the house is far away).
   • ✅ Correct: That is my friend's house.
3. Wrong Usage as a Relative Pronoun:
   • ❌ Incorrect: The dress, that I bought last week, is too small.
   • ✅ Correct: The dress that I bought last week is too small.
4. Confusing That with Who in Human References:
   • ❌ Incorrect: The person that called you will call again.
   • ✅ Correct: The person who called you will call again. (Though that can be used, who is often preferred for people.)
5. Using That in Non-restrictive Clauses:
   • ❌ Incorrect: My car, that is red, needs washing.
   • ✅ Correct: My car, which is red, needs washing.