GE L12 (That Clause)

Global English
Level 1
Unit 1

That Clause

A that clause is a group of words that begins with the word that and functions as a dependent clause in a sentence. It is used to add more information, explain opinions, or compare ideas.

​What is a that clause?

1. Define

Use that to provide extra information about a noun or phrase.

that adds clarification or description.

Example:

• I read an article that explains how yawning is contagious.

• The book that you recommended is amazing.

Three Main Uses of that clauses

2. Evaluate

Use that to show someone’s opinion or point of view.

Common with reporting or thinking verbs like believe, think, know, say...

Example:

• Scientists believe that yawning is related to empathy.

• I think that she will do well in the test.

Three Main Uses of that clauses

3. Compare

Use that to draw comparisons between two ideas.
Often used with phrases like in the same way that…

Example:

• Reading a book before bed relaxes you in the same way that meditation does.

• The way that she speaks is similar to her sister.

Three Main Uses of that clauses

Grammar Rules to Remember

One mystery that has confused scientists for a long time is yawn contagion. This refers to the urge we have to yawn when we see other people do it.

Although some researchers first thought that this urge was a kind of social empathy, which enables people to connect with each other, it remained unclear whether we catch a yawn or not.

USE OF ENGLISH (Reading Passage)

However, a recent study by Professor Elisabetta Palagi at the University of Pisa in Italy has shown that the most important factor is the relationship between the yawner and the person that hears or sees it, rather than the nationality, sex or age of the people involved.

The research team studied cases of yawning among a group of adults from around the world over the course of one year.

USE OF ENGLISH (Reading Passage)

The results showed that people are most likely to catch or pass on a yawn when interacting with family members, followed on a decreasing scale by friends, then acquaintances and finally strangers.
Children develop contagious yawning at the age of four or five – around the same time that they begin to understand the emotions of other people.

USE OF ENGLISH (Reading Passage)

From the article:

“The results showed that people are more likely to catch or pass on a yawn…”

🟢 This is an evaluate example – reporting research findings.

“Children develop contagious yawning at the age of four or five – around the same time that they begin to understand emotions.”

🟢 This is a compare example.

Examples in Context

1. Read the information about yawning.
Match the bold phrases with the uses of that below.

a. Define: to provide additional information about the head noun or phrase.
b. Evaluate: to signpost a person’s viewpoint.
c. Compare: to compare two ideas.

(Answer boxes next to each, labeled 1, 2, 3)

Check!

2. Read the information again. Circle true (T) or false (F) for each of these statements about the use of that clauses.

a. Who or which can never be used instead of that.
☐ T ☐ F

b. That can be omitted after some verbs.
☐ T ☐ F

c. That is never preceded by a comma.
☐ T ☐ F

Notice!

3. Match the beginnings (a–e) and the endings (i–v) to make correct sentences.

Beginnings:

a. Yawn contagion is a phenomenon that
b. The researchers considered a number of different factors that
c. The research team discovered that
d. It was a study that
e. Professor Elisabetta Palagi is one of the researchers that

Endings:

i. people are less likely to respond to a yawn with another yawn if the other person is a stranger.
ii. sampled people from many different countries.
iii. has been a puzzle for many years.
iv. were associated with contagious yawns, such as gender and age.
v. helped write the study.

Focus!

. Complete these sentences using a that clause.

a. Students generally like lessons
→ that are fun and motivating.

b. I didn’t manage to finish all the homework
→ _______________________________________

c. Have you finished the book
→ _______________________________________

d. I like the kind of film
→ _______________________________________

e. A good friend is someone
→ _______________________________________

Challenge!