One syllable: That.
that
/ðæt/
That is pronounced that (/ðæt/). It has one syllable (That), with the stress on "That". That is a versatile adverb and determiner used to refer to something near in space or time, or to emphasize a point. In everyday speech it also functions as a discourse marker, signaling agreement or contrast. Usage varies by emphasis and context, but it often signals proximity, focus, or contrast with alternatives in the listener’s mind.
adverbThat is a versatile adverb and determiner used to refer to something near in space or time, or to emphasize a point. In everyday speech it also functions as a discourse marker, signaling agreement or contrast. Usage varies by emphasis and context, but it often signals proximity, focus, or contrast with alternatives in the listener’s mind.
"That book over there is mine."
"If you’re sure about that, we can proceed."
"That was a great performance, considering the weather."
That is pronounced with the voiced dental fricative /ð/ followed by a low-mid front lax vowel /æ/ and a clear voiceless stop /t/. In US speech you’ll hear /ðæɾ/ or /ðæt/ depending on flapping; in careful speech the final /t/ is a released stop [t], while in many UK pronunciations it is a crisp [t] with slight alveolar contact. Start with /ð/ using the tongue between teeth, then move quickly to /æ/ and finish with /t/ tip of the tongue at the alveolar ridge. Listen to native samples and mirror the exact tongue placement: upper teeth lightly contacting lower lip area for /ð/, and a short, open jaw before /æ/ to keep it sound-focused.
Common errors include substituting /d/ for /ð/ (that becomes /dæt/), or pronouncing with a long vowel as in /θæt/ or replacing /æ/ with /eɪ/ (the air escapes differently). Some speakers merge /ð/ with /d/ when tired, producing an abrupt start. Another mistake is not releasing the final /t/, sounding like /ðæt/ with a silent or glottal stop; ensure the tongue taps alveolar ridge and the tip releases fully. Practice with minimal pairs to fine-tune the dental fricative and the short /æ/.
In US English you’ll hear /ðæt/ with a rhotic, relaxed /æ/ in many dialects, and sometimes a flapped or unreleased /t/ in casual speech. UK English tends toward a crisper /t/ with less vowel reduction, and Australian English commonly features a centralized /ɐ/ or /æ/ depending on the speaker, with a more even mouth relaxation and a tendency for non-rhoticity in some regions. While the core sequence /ð-æ-t/ remains, the quality of /æ/ and the presence of a tap or stop can shift, aligning with regional vowel shifts and lenition patterns. Aim for a precise /ð/ and a fast, clean /t/ in all accents for clarity.
The difficulty lies in the initial /ð/ sound, a voiced dental fricative that many learners substitute with /d/ or /z/. The /æ/ vowel requires a relatively open jaw and relaxed tongue, which can clash with the tongue positioning for /ð/. The final /t/ can be unreleased in casual speech, or influenced by flapping in American English, altering the perceived crispness. Mastery involves precise tongue placement between teeth, maintaining voice for /ð/, and a clean alveolar contact for /t/ without a vowel intrusion.
In connected speech, the /ð/ can be realized with a slightly devoiced or reduced onset, especially when surrounding consonants are strong. The /æ/ can be shortened or centralized in fast speech, and the /t/ may be unreleased or elided when followed by another consonant (e.g., 'That’s all' -> /ðæs ɔːl/). Practicing with multi-word phrases helps you maintain the integrity of each sound while preserving natural rhythm and timing in fluent speech.
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That originates from Old English thaet, a demonstrative pronoun and adverb used to point to something distant or near in context, and later evolved to its contemporary function as a general demonstrative and intensifier. The earliest form thaet appeared in Old English texts, with the sense tied to proximity and reference, much like other demonstratives such as this and these. Through Middle English, spelling and pronunciation shifted under influences from Norse and Norman French, coalescing into the modern form that is standard in Modern English. The word has maintained a flexible role in syntax, serving as a pronoun, determiner, and adverb, and it often interacts with word order to convey emphasis or contrast. Its usage broadened to include discourse-marking and summed emphasis, as speakers developed subtler ways to signal agreement, assurance, or contrast with alternative propositions. The core semantic core—reference to proximity or focal point—remains intact, even as pronunciation and usage bells expanded in colloquial speech and writing. First known uses appear in Old English and early Middle English texts, with continuous evolution into present-day English across dialects, reflecting its utility as a succinct, versatile grammatical and pragmatic tool.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "That" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "That" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "That"
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