{"id":11356,"date":"2021-03-11T11:46:12","date_gmt":"2021-03-11T11:46:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/?p=11356"},"modified":"2023-04-10T13:19:57","modified_gmt":"2023-04-10T13:19:57","slug":"comma-before-that","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-that\/","title":{"rendered":"Comma before &#8220;that&#8221; \u2014 The Only Guide You&#8217;ll Ever Need!"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:150%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}<\/style><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A teacher once asked, &ldquo;What else could be more perplexing than the punctuation system?&rdquo;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One student answers, &ldquo;Punctuation decision before words, which belong to multiple parts of speech.&rdquo;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The straight-A student cringed and thought, &ldquo;You should&rsquo;ve used <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">which.&rdquo;<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No matter which kind of student you used to be, or you still are, this post on the comma usage before &ldquo;that&rdquo; should be able to help you out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>When should we put a comma before &ldquo;that&rdquo;?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><strong>A comma before &ldquo;that&rdquo; is only necessary when it introduces parenthetical information in the middle or at the end of a sentence. Inserting a parenthetical that-remark is possible regardless of the part of speech it belongs to. However, a pre-comma otherwise makes the sentence ungrammatical when &ldquo;that&rdquo; non-parenthetically functions as a pronoun, determiner, adverb, and most especially, as a conjunction that links a subordinate clause in a complex sentence structure that begins with the main clause.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"grow-exclusive-content-widget-aa70192d-d134-4c49-86a3-d6f2effb13c9 grow-allow-content-ads\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1FcGWj9ZmJCqbVuKMOa6A7yA_r8YRdtsq\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-16942 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive.jpeg\" alt=\"Comma Rules Cheat Sheet\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive.jpeg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-480x270.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-720x405.jpeg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-320x180.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-735x413.jpeg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-335x188.jpeg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-347x195.jpeg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-520x293.jpeg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-640x360.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-960x540.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-1080x608.jpeg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive.jpeg\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"eager\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-16942 size-full eager-load\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201280%20720'%3E%3Crect%20width='1280'%20height='720'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"Comma Rules Cheat Sheet\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive.jpeg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-1\" data-src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive.jpeg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive.jpeg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-480x270.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-720x405.jpeg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-320x180.jpeg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-735x413.jpeg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-335x188.jpeg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-347x195.jpeg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-520x293.jpeg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-640x360.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-960x540.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Comma-Cheat-Sheet-to-Google-Drive-1080x608.jpeg 1080w\" data-svg=\"1\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>The essential comma before &ldquo;that&rdquo;<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/how-long-is-a-while\/\"><b>While<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> comma usage is already quite an intimidating topic, pairing comma-related guidelines with grammatical <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/writingcenter.tamu.edu\/Students\/Writing-Speaking-Guides\/Alphabetical-List-of-Guides\/Punctuation\/Contractions-Homonyms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>homonyms<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> only seems to make matters worse.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&ldquo;That&rdquo; is a word that belongs to multiple parts of speech, namely, adjective, pronoun, adverb, and conjunction.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-or-after-thus\/\"><b>thus<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, attaining a full grasp of when to punctuate it with a pre-comma remains an itchy scalp to scratch for many.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-or-after-although\/\"><b>Although<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &ldquo;that&rdquo; belongs in several parts of speech, technically called a grammatical homonym in linguistics, the default process on its pre-comma placement isn&rsquo;t that complicated.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One only needs to identify the essentiality of the information that &ldquo;that&rdquo; introduces in order to do so.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Non-essential <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-or-after-or\/\"><b>or<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> non-restrictive information is called a parenthetical element in stylistics, which requires comma-encapsulation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whereas, essential or restrictive information need not be separated with a pre-or-post comma <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-nor\/\"><b>nor<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> two adjacent commas.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Therefore, regardless of the part of speech used, the statutory comma before &ldquo;that&rdquo; is necessary when it introduces parenthetical information in texts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-or-after-now\/\"><b>Now<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, let&rsquo;s discuss the mentioned instances further.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11363\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin.jpg\" alt=\"Comma Before That Pin\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin-735x1103.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin-223x335.jpg 223w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin-231x347.jpg 231w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin-347x520.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin-427x640.jpg 427w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin-512x768.jpg 512w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin-640x960.jpg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin-720x1080.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin.jpg\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11363 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin.jpg\" alt=\"Comma Before That Pin\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin-735x1103.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin-223x335.jpg 223w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin-231x347.jpg 231w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin-347x520.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin-427x640.jpg 427w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin-512x768.jpg 512w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin-640x960.jpg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin-720x1080.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Before-That-Pin.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-2\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>When &ldquo;that&rdquo; introduces a mid-sentence parenthesis<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A parenthesis can be a word, a phrase, or even a clause <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/that-that\/\"><b>that<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> needs the help of commas in sentence construction.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The commas are inserted to let the reader interpret the message with ease, as well as to facilitate an emphatic effect.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-no-matter\/\"><b>No matter<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> where a parenthesis appears in a sentence, it has to be set off with commas to aid textual clarity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Therefore, a pre-comma is essential when &ldquo;that&rdquo; introduces a parenthetical remark in the middle of the sentence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&rsquo;s an example to illustrate the explanation.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">Robert, that guy over there, is actually my sister&rsquo;s ex-boyfriend.<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&ldquo;That&rdquo; is used to identify the subject based on the reference point of the writer, in which it particularly functions as a determiner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The parenthetical clause above is also called a nonrestrictive <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-a-relative-clause\/\"><b>relative clause<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is a type of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-subordinate-clauses\/\"><b>subordinate clause<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that functions as an adjective.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&ldquo;Who is that guy over there&rdquo; is the complete clause, but &ldquo;who is&rdquo; has been deliberately removed for the sake of providing an example.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Truncated or shortened statements are very common in the informal register wherein the context is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-after-often-the-definitive-guide\/\"><b>often<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &ldquo;understood&rdquo; by the message receiver.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another common way of using the parenthetical &ldquo;that&rdquo; in the middle of a sentence is through the phrase &ldquo;that is,&rdquo; the shortened version of &ldquo;that is to say.&rdquo;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&ldquo;That is&rdquo; or &ldquo;that is to say,&rdquo; the widely-accepted equivalent of the Latin expression &ldquo;id est&rdquo; that can be <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-after-abbreviations\/\"><b>abbreviated as &ldquo;i.e.&rdquo;<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, has a particularizing function just like &ldquo;specifically&rdquo; and &ldquo;in particular.&rdquo;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&rsquo;s how to use it midway.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">Humor is characterized by benign violations of social norms, that is, laughter is a result of morally-wrong yet non-threatening conditions.<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lastly, please bear in mind that &ldquo;that&rdquo; can be used in any part of speech when it is used parenthetically.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-after-and\/\"><b>And<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, this is simply because of the parenthetical information&rsquo;s grammatical independence from the rest of the sentence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>When &ldquo;that&rdquo; introduces an end-sentence parenthesis<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11382\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis.jpg\" alt=\"When &ldquo;that&rdquo; introduces an end-sentence parenthesis\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis.jpg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-735x413.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-335x188.jpg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-347x195.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-520x293.jpg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis.jpg\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11382 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis.jpg\" alt=\"When &ldquo;that&rdquo; introduces an end-sentence parenthesis\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis.jpg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-735x413.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-335x188.jpg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-347x195.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-520x293.jpg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-introduces-an-end-sentence-parenthesis.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-3\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To show the other possible parenthetical position that requires a pre-comma to &ldquo;that,&rdquo; here&rsquo;s how to use it at the end of the sentence.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">She entrusted her finances to a loyal and trustworthy person, that was what she thought.<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Representing parenthetical ideas <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/included-but-not-limited-to\/\"><b>is not limited to<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the use of commas only, and thus, square brackets or open and close parentheses may also be observed at times.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">She entrusted her company to a loyal and trustworthy person (that was what she thought).<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&ldquo;That&rdquo; in the example above is used as a pronoun, by the way, which means it replaces the previously-mentioned idea in the same sentence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-since\/\"><b>Since<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the guidelines on the necessary pre-comma usage have been thoroughly discussed, it is also crucial that we understand when we do not need one.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>The incorrect comma before &ldquo;that&rdquo;<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11380\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that.jpg\" alt=\"Incorrect punctuation before that\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that.jpg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-735x413.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-335x188.jpg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-347x195.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-520x293.jpg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that.jpg\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11380 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that.jpg\" alt=\"Incorrect punctuation before that\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that.jpg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-735x413.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-335x188.jpg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-347x195.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-520x293.jpg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/incorrect-punctuation-before-that.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-4\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Actually, the pre-comma is often unnecessary before &ldquo;that&rdquo; except for the cases explained in the last section.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-after-so\/\"><b>So<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, worrying too much about this topic is not a very good idea <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-after-all\/\"><b>after all<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To see clearly, though, here&rsquo;s another set of guidelines on the incorrect use of a comma before &ldquo;that.&rdquo;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Again, kindly note that all the circumstances below do not contain parenthetical information, which is inessential to the sentence&rsquo;s whole unit of meaning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>When &ldquo;that&rdquo; non-parenthetically functions as a subordinating conjunction<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/subordinating-conjunctions\/\" title=\"Subordinating conjunctions\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">Subordinating conjunctions<\/a> are responsible for building complex sentences, which contain at least one dependent and independent clause.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&ldquo;That&rdquo; functions as a conjunction when it introduces a restrictive clause that contains essential information to the rest of the sentence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A grammatical rule in English <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/suggest-i-do-or-suggest-me-to-do\/\"><b>suggests<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that &ldquo;that&rdquo; should mainly introduce restrictive information, while &ldquo;which&rdquo; is used for non-restrictive ones.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&rsquo;s an example to represent what has just been explained.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">Layla mentioned that you&rsquo;re not coming to the wedding.<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The restrictive that-clause above functions as a subordinate noun clause, as well as the direct object of the verb &ldquo;mentioned.&rdquo;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>When &ldquo;that&rdquo; non-parenthetically functions as a demonstrative pronoun<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The second case that makes placing a pre-comma ungrammatical is when &ldquo;that&rdquo; functions as a demonstrative pronoun.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Demonstrative pronouns are used to represent or replace nouns that are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-or-after-either\/\"><b>either<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> near or far based on the speaker or writer&rsquo;s perspective.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The three other demonstrative pronouns in English are <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this, these, <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">those.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Please never use a comma before &ldquo;that&rdquo; when you&rsquo;re using it such as in the next example.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">This is mine and that is yours.<\/div><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-or-after-although\/\"><b>Although<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> placing a comma before &ldquo;that&rdquo; in the structure above, the comma may be optionally placed before &ldquo;and&rdquo; instead.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A compound sentence often needs a comma before the coordinating conjunction, but it is otherwise omissible when the sentence is clear and short enough.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>When &ldquo;that&rdquo; non-parenthetically functions as a relative pronoun<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11384\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun.jpg\" alt=\"When &ldquo;that&rdquo; non-parenthetically functions as a relative pronoun\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun.jpg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-735x413.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-335x188.jpg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-347x195.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-520x293.jpg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun.jpg\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11384 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun.jpg\" alt=\"When &ldquo;that&rdquo; non-parenthetically functions as a relative pronoun\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun.jpg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-735x413.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-335x188.jpg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-347x195.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-520x293.jpg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/When-that-non-parenthetically-functions-as-a-relative-pronoun.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-5\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thirdly, &ldquo;that&rdquo; may also function as a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-or-after-although\/\"><b>relative pronoun<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in sentences, a type of pronoun used to refer back to an already-mentioned noun.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just make sure that, again, the information is non-parenthetical, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/but-rather-in-a-sentence\/\"><b>but rather<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, essential to the overall meaning of the sentence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Otherwise, you can use &ldquo;which&rdquo; for a nonrestrictive relative clause.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&rsquo;s an example using a restrictive that-clause.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">The bag that she wanted to buy has just been sold out.<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let&rsquo;s try to compare the above example&rsquo;s difference with the non-restrictive relative which-clause.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">The Birkin bag from Hermes, which she really wanted to buy, has just been sold out.<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you can see,<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the subject in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-after-e-g\/\"><b>example<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> above is specific enough to be identified, and thus, the relative which-clause afterward is only additional information to the whole statement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>When &ldquo;that&rdquo; non-parenthetically functions as a determiner<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&ldquo;That&rdquo; may also function as a determiner, which is simply a word that comes before a noun that functions adjectivally.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Putting a comma before the determiner &ldquo;that&rdquo; in this case is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-or-after-also-the-definitive-guide\/\"><b>also<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ungrammatical, unless, of course, used in a parenthetical manner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clearly, we can also use the determiner &ldquo;that&rdquo; to introduce a serial list such as in &ldquo;this one, that one, and this too.&rdquo;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But, this specific guideline has been deliberately eliminated in this post because of its rather <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-before-or-after-obviously\/\"><b>obvious<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> implication.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To spot the determinative function of &ldquo;that,&rdquo; just look for a noun or noun phrase after it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, here&rsquo;s how to use the determiner &ldquo;that&rdquo; in a sentence.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\">Sorry, but I can&rsquo;t accept that explanation.<\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>When &ldquo;that&rdquo; non-parenthetically functions as an intensifying adverb<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11398\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That.jpg\" alt=\"Comma Rules with That\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That.jpg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-735x413.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-335x188.jpg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-347x195.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-520x293.jpg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That.jpg\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11398 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That.jpg\" alt=\"Comma Rules with That\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That.jpg 854w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-735x413.jpg 735w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-335x188.jpg 335w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-347x195.jpg 347w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-520x293.jpg 520w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-640x360.jpg 640w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-960x540.jpg 960w, https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That-1080x608.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Comma-Rules-with-That.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-6\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lastly, &ldquo;that&rdquo; can also be used in colloquial English as an intensifying adverb that means &ldquo;very&rdquo; or &ldquo;really.&rdquo;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-after-apparently\/\"><b>Apparently<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, we must not place a pre-comma as well when it functions this way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And, the easy way to spot this particular usage is to look for the word it modifies, which is usually an adjective.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-note\" style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/comma-rules\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Comma rules<\/a><\/strong> aren&rsquo;t that hard to digest, are they?<\/div><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&ldquo;That&rdquo; pre-modifies &ldquo;hard&rdquo; in the example above, which can also be replaced with other intensifying adverbs depending on the intended message.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Frequently Asked Questions on Comma Before &ldquo;That&rdquo;<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Should we put a comma before &ldquo;that&rsquo;s why?&rdquo;<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A comma before &ldquo;that&rsquo;s why&rdquo; is only necessary when it functions parenthetically such as in &ldquo;People generally think that the punctuation system is too complex, that&rsquo;s why<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">many of us simply groan when asked about it.&rdquo; But, make sure to limit this type of construction to less formal registers only<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as opposed to scholarly texts.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>What part of speech is &ldquo;that?&rdquo;<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&ldquo;That&rdquo; is a grammatical homonym that belongs in several parts of speech. It can be used as a determiner as in &ldquo;that one,&rdquo; an adverb as in &ldquo;that simple,&rdquo; a pronoun as in &ldquo;that is awesome,&rdquo; and a conjunction as in &ldquo;she said that didn&rsquo;t like it.&rdquo;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Should I put a comma before &ldquo;which&rdquo; or before &ldquo;that?&rdquo;<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A comma is often placed before &ldquo;which&rdquo; instead of &ldquo;that&rdquo; to introduce a nonrestrictive relative clause whose meaning is grammatically nonessential to the whole unit of meaning implied by the overall sentence.<\/span><br>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Should we put a comma before &ldquo;that&rsquo;s why?&rdquo;\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"A comma before &ldquo;that&rsquo;s why&rdquo; is only necessary when it functions parenthetically such as in &ldquo;People generally think that the punctuation system is too complex, that&rsquo;s why many of us simply groan when asked about it.&rdquo; But, make sure to limit this type of construction to less formal registers only, as opposed to scholarly texts.&nbsp;\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"What part of speech is &ldquo;that?&rdquo;\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"&ldquo;That&rdquo; is a grammatical homonym that belongs in several parts of speech. It can be used as a determiner as in &ldquo;that one,&rdquo; an adverb as in &ldquo;that simple,&rdquo; a pronoun as in &ldquo;that is awesome,&rdquo; and a conjunction as in &ldquo;she said that didn&rsquo;t like it.&rdquo;\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Should I put a comma before &ldquo;which&rdquo; or before &ldquo;that?&rdquo;\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"A comma is often placed before &ldquo;which&rdquo; instead of &ldquo;that&rdquo; to introduce a nonrestrictive relative clause whose meaning is grammatically nonessential to the whole unit of meaning implied by the overall sentence.\"\n      }\n    }\n  ]\n}\n<\/script><br>\n<!--FAQPage Code Generated by https:\/\/saijogeorge.com\/json-ld-schema-generator\/faq\/--><\/p>\n<h2><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Linguistic nuances never fail to leave anyone scratching their heads, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/such-as-in-a-sentence\/\"><b>such as<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the case of punctuating &ldquo;that&rdquo; with a pre-comma.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, it is also essential to note that constant reading, and of course, writing is the best way to amplify punctuation skills, as well as semantic comprehension.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A teacher once asked, &ldquo;What else could be more perplexing than the punctuation system?&rdquo; One student answers, &ldquo;Punctuation decision before words, which belong to multiple parts of speech.&rdquo; The straight-A student cringed and thought, &ldquo;You should&rsquo;ve used that. Not which.&rdquo; No matter which kind of student you used to be, or you still are, this &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11362,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable-in-feed":false,"article-schema-type":"Article","disable-critical-css":false,"_convertkit_action_broadcast_export":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,1119,1116],"tags":[80,422,103],"class_list":["post-11356","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english","category-comma-rules","category-grammar","tag-comma","tag-comma-before-that","tag-comma-usage"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11356","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11356"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11356\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24538,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11356\/revisions\/24538"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11362"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11356"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11356"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linguaholic.com\/linguablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11356"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}