Looking for the best that synonyms?
The word that is one of the most common words in English, but it can perform several different grammatical jobs. It can work as a demonstrative pronoun, demonstrative determiner, relative pronoun, conjunction or even part of common expressions.
Because of this, there is no single synonym that can replace that in every sentence. The right alternative depends on how that is being used.
What Does “That” Mean?
That can point to a particular person, thing, idea, or situation, usually one that is farther away or already mentioned.
Examples
- That car is expensive.
- I don’t like that idea.
- She said that she was tired.
- The book that I bought is interesting.
The meaning changes according to its grammatical function.
30 Useful That Synonyms and Alternatives
1. Those
Meaning: The plural form related to “that.”
Example: Those shoes belong to my sister.
Best Usage: Referring to multiple things.
2. This
Meaning: Used to refer to something closer or currently being discussed.
Example: This book is easier to understand.
Best Usage: Near objects, ideas, or situations.
3. It
Meaning: A pronoun referring to a previously mentioned thing or idea.
Example: I saw the movie, and it was excellent.
Best Usage: Replacing a previously mentioned singular thing.
4. Such
Meaning: Of the type or kind previously mentioned.
Example: Such behavior is unacceptable.
Best Usage: Formal and descriptive writing.
5. The One
Meaning: A particular person or thing already identified.
Example: The one I chose was the blue jacket.
Best Usage: Identifying a specific item.
6. The Thing
Meaning: A particular object, idea, or matter.
Example: The thing I remember most was her kindness.
Best Usage: Informal and conversational English.
7. Which
Meaning: Used to refer to a previously mentioned thing or idea.
Example: He missed the train, which caused a delay.
Best Usage: Relative clauses.
8. Who
Meaning: Used to refer to a person.
Example: She is the teacher who helped me.
Best Usage: People.
9. Whom
Meaning: A formal relative pronoun referring to a person receiving an action.
Example: The person whom I contacted replied quickly.
Best Usage: Formal English.
10. What
Meaning: Used to refer to a thing, matter, or idea.
Example: I understand what you mean.
Best Usage: Questions and noun clauses.
11. Which One
Meaning: Refers to one particular choice from a group.
Example: Which one do you prefer?
Best Usage: Choosing between options.
12. Such a
Meaning: Refers to a person or thing of a particular kind.
Example: Such a mistake can be avoided.
Best Usage: Formal and emphatic writing.
13. The Same
Meaning: Identical or previously mentioned.
Example: She bought the same dress that I wanted.
Best Usage: Comparison and reference.
14. The Former
Meaning: The first of two previously mentioned things.
Example: Between the two options, I prefer the former.
Best Usage: Formal writing.
15. The Latter
Meaning: The second of two previously mentioned things.
Example: Both options are useful, but I prefer the latter.
Best Usage: Formal writing.
16. The Said
Meaning: The previously mentioned person or thing.
Example: The said document was submitted yesterday.
Best Usage: Legal and highly formal writing.
17. The Mentioned
Meaning: Something that was previously referred to.
Example: The mentioned issue needs further discussion.
Best Usage: Formal writing.
18. The Specified
Meaning: Clearly identified or stated.
Example: Please complete the specified task.
Best Usage: Instructions and professional writing.
19. The Particular
Meaning: Referring to one specific person or thing.
Example: The particular issue requires attention.
Best Usage: Formal and precise writing.
20. The Identified
Meaning: Previously recognized or specified.
Example: The identified problem was fixed immediately.
Best Usage: Technical and professional writing.
21. The Above
Meaning: Something previously written or mentioned.
Example: Please consider the above information.
Best Usage: Formal documents.
22. The Previous
Meaning: Referring to something mentioned earlier.
Example: The previous example explains the concept clearly.
Best Usage: Academic and formal writing.
23. The Earlier
Meaning: Referring to something that occurred before.
Example: The earlier discussion helped clarify the issue.
Best Usage: Formal and academic contexts.
24. The Relevant
Meaning: The particular thing connected to the subject.
Example: Please provide the relevant documents.
Best Usage: Professional writing.
25. The Referenced
Meaning: Something previously mentioned or referred to.
Example: The referenced article contains additional information.
Best Usage: Academic and professional writing.
26. Therefore
Meaning: For that reason.
Example: The evidence was weak; therefore, the claim was rejected.
Best Usage: Formal writing.
Note: “Therefore” is not a direct synonym for that, but it can replace certain expressions containing “that” when showing a result.
27. So
Meaning: Used to show a result, purpose, or degree.
Example: The road was blocked, so we took another route.
Best Usage: Everyday English.
28. Thus
Meaning: In this way or as a result.
Example: The evidence was insufficient; thus, the case was closed.
Best Usage: Academic and formal writing.
29. Hence
Meaning: For this reason or as a result.
Example: The weather was poor; hence, the event was canceled.
Best Usage: Formal writing.
30. Accordingly
Meaning: In a way that follows from a particular situation or fact.
Example: The rules changed, and we acted accordingly.
Best Usage: Formal and professional writing.
When to Use Different Alternatives to “That”
| Alternative | Best Used For | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| This | Something nearby | Neutral |
| Those | Multiple distant things | Neutral |
| It | Previously mentioned thing | General |
| Such | A particular type | Formal |
| Which | Relative clause | Formal/Neutral |
| Who | People | General |
| Whom | People as objects | Formal |
| What | Things or ideas | General |
| The one | Specific item | Neutral |
| The former | First of two things | Formal |
| The latter | Second of two things | Formal |
| The said | Previously mentioned item | Legal/Formal |
| The specified | Clearly identified item | Professional |
| The previous | Earlier item | Formal |
| Therefore | Result | Formal |
| So | Result | Casual |
| Thus | Result | Formal |
| Hence | Result | Formal |
“That” as a Demonstrative
When that points to a specific thing, common alternatives include:
- This
- It
- Such
- The one
- The particular
Example
I don’t like that color.
Depending on the intended meaning:
I don’t like this color.
Here, this changes the meaning because it normally refers to something closer.
“That” as a Relative Pronoun
Consider this sentence:
The book that I bought was expensive.
Depending on the sentence, that can sometimes be replaced by:
- Which
- Who
- Whom
Examples
For things:
The book which I bought was expensive.
For people:
The teacher who helped me was kind.
However, who and whom are used for people, while which is generally used for things.
“That” as a Conjunction
In a sentence like:
She said that she was tired.
That introduces a clause.
You generally cannot replace it with a direct synonym.
In many cases, however, you can simply remove it:
She said she was tired.
Both sentences are grammatically correct.
This is an important point for ESL learners.
That vs This
This usually refers to something closer, more immediate, or currently being discussed.
That usually refers to something farther away or already established.
Examples
This book is in my hand.
That book is on the other table.
The choice depends on distance and context.
That vs Which
These words can both introduce relative clauses, but their grammatical use can differ.
The car that I bought is new.
The car, which I bought yesterday, is new.
In standard English, that is commonly used for restrictive clauses, while which can introduce nonrestrictive clauses.
That vs Such
That identifies a particular thing.
Such describes a type or kind.
I don’t want that book.
I don’t want such a book.
The first points to a specific book. The second refers to that type of book.
That vs It
That can point to something, while it usually refers back to something already identified.
That is my favorite restaurant.
I visited the restaurant, and it was excellent.
Understanding this difference can make your English more natural.
“That” Alternatives in Academic Writing
In academic writing, you can sometimes avoid repeating that by restructuring your sentence.
Instead of:
The study showed that the method was effective.
You could write:
The study demonstrated the effectiveness of the method.
Instead of:
The results indicate that the theory is useful.
You could write:
The results indicate the usefulness of the theory.
This can make formal writing more concise.
Common Mistakes With That Synonyms
Not Every Alternative Is a Direct Replacement
Words such as therefore, hence, and thus are not direct synonyms for the grammatical word that. They serve different functions.
Check What “That” Is Doing
Before replacing that, ask whether it is:
- Pointing to something
- Referring to a person or thing
- Introducing a clause
- Showing a result as part of an expression
Don’t Force a Synonym
Sometimes the best replacement is simply to remove “that”.
For example:
I think that she is right.
can naturally become:
I think she is right.
Why Learning Alternatives to “That” Improves Your English
Understanding different uses of that can help you:
- Improve grammar
- Write more naturally
- Avoid repetitive sentence structures
- Understand relative clauses
- Improve academic writing
- Develop stronger ESL skills
The most important lesson is that that is a grammatical word with several functions, so its alternatives depend on context.
Conclusion
There is no single universal synonym for that because it can function in several different ways. Depending on the sentence, useful alternatives and related expressions include this, those, it, such, which, who, whom, what, the one, the former, the latter, the specified, the previous and the referenced.
When that points to a specific thing, this, such, or the one may sometimes work. When it introduces a relative clause, which, who or whom may be appropriate. When it introduces a noun clause, it often cannot be replaced but it can frequently be omitted.
Understanding the grammatical role of that is more important than simply memorizing a list of synonyms.
