A Guide to “That”

How to reduce or eliminate a linguistic crutch in formal writing

Person / Who

Example: He is the guy that edits my papers.
Rephrased: He is the guy who edits my papers.

Thing / What

Example: Looking back, I can remember the things that interested me.
Rephrased: Looking back, I can remember what things interested me.
Also: Looking back, I can remember which things were interesting to me.

Example: This is the laptop that everyone wants.
Rephrased: This is the laptop everyone wants.
Also: This laptop is wanted by everyone.

Example: Dad built a train set that filled up the garage.
Rephrased: Dad built a train set so big it filled up the garage.

Time / When

Example: Do you remember the time that we danced till dawn?
Rephrased: Do you remember the time when we danced till dawn?

Place / Where

Example: Louisville is a city that supports dedicated bike lanes.
Rephrased: Louisville is a city where dedicated bike lanes are supported.

Reason / Why

Example: This is the reason that we made the new rule.
Rephrased: This is the reason why we made the new rule.

Method / How

Example: Notice that the coach reminded them of what they had practiced.
Rephrased: Notice how the coach reminded them of what they had practiced.

Which

Example: I love this album that is the last one Frank Sinatra recorded.
Rephrased: I love this album, which is the last one Frank Sinatra recorded.
Also: I love this album; it is the last one Frank Sinatra recorded.

Note: Use “which” when it leads an independent clarifying clause or when it specifies a selection from among other choices.

Capability / Responsibility

Example: Ask the doctor for medicine that can help your stomach.
Rephrased: Ask the doctor for medicine capable of (suitable for) helping your stomach.

Example: Inside the special unit that investigates crime.
Rephrased: Inside the special unit responsible for (tasked with) investigating crime.

Example: This is the phone that works with the new headset.
Rephrased: This phone is designed to work with the new headset.
Also: This phone works with the new headset.

Signifier of Belief or Speech

Example: I have come to believe that Joe Dimaggio was a great hitter.
Rephrased: I have come to believe Joe Dimaggio was a great hitter.
Also: I have come to believe in Joe Dimaggio as a great hitter.

Example: I heard someone say that Michael Jordan was the GOAT.
Rephrased: I heard someone say Michael Jordan was the GOAT.

Example: The governor said in an address that the death toll would reach at least 50.
Rephrased: In an address, the governor said the death toll would reach at least 50.
Also: As the governor said in an address, the death toll would reach at least 50.

Verb-Form Substitute

Example: There is no record that he ever taught here.
Rephrased: There is no record of him ever teaching here.

Example: The thought that my friend could have a heart attack was unnerving.
Rephrased: The thought of my friend potentially having a heart attack was unnerving.

Adjective Displacement

Example: I prefer to buy clothes that fit properly.
Rephrased: I prefer to buy properly fitted clothes.

Subject-Verb Displacement

Example: 25 dresses that are great for summer
Rephrased: These 25 dresses are great for summer
Also: 25 great dresses for summer

Example: A list of shoes that are the best for running long distances.
Rephrased: The shoes on this list are the best for running long distances.
Also: A list of the best shoes for running long distances.

Conjunction Substitute

Example: Cracked pepper adds a fresh bite to steaks and fries that makes the taste really pop.
Rephrased: Cracked pepper adds a fresh bite to steaks and fries, and it makes the taste really pop.
Also: Cracked pepper adds a fresh bite to steaks and fries—it makes the taste really pop.

Starting a Sentence with “It”

Example: It was in the year 1776 that the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Rephrased: In the year 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Also: The Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.

Linguistic Filler

Example: This is the first time that I’ve seen the bill.
Rephrased: This is the first time I’ve seen the bill.

Example: Their house was filled with furnishings that they had made themselves.
Rephrased: Their house was filled with furnishings they had made themselves.

Examples in the Real World:

Original: Main character syndrome . . . is characterized by behavior that indicates that everything that happens exists only to further their story or contribute to their own enlightenment, and that they feel and understand things with greater clarity than the people around them. —Alex Abad-Santos (2021)

Rephrased: Main character syndrome . . . is characterized by behavior in which everything happens or exists only to further their own story or contribute to their own enlightenment, and they feel and understand things with greater clarity than the people around them.

—

Original: The side facing Earth and the sun will contain propulsion and communications systems that can handle heat, while the side facing space will contain the telescope mirrors and other instruments that require absolute cold. —Marina Koren (2021)

Rephrased: The side facing Earth and the sun will contain propulsion and communications systems capable of handling heat, while the side facing space will contain telescope mirrors and other instruments designed for absolute cold.