Word Confusion: As versus That

NOTE: This post is not exploring the prepositional definition of as.

Plural for the pronoun(s): those

• as
• as if
• as though

Conjunction, causal:
Indicates that something happens during the time when something is taking place

• Confluence in time

Indicates by comparison the way that something happens or is done

• Used to add or interject a comment relating to the statement of a fact
• Similarity in manner
• Accordance

That (introduces a subordinate clause expressing a statement or hypothesis)

• Expressing a reason or cause
• Expressing a result
• [Usually with modal] Expressing a purpose, hope, or intention
• [Literary; usually with modal] Expressing a wish or regret

Pronoun:
A fact that

[New England, Midland, and Southern US] Who

• Whom
• Which
• That

[Chiefly dialect] After a substantive not modified by same or such

Relative Pronoun:
Used after such and sometimes after same

• So
• Used with a gesture to indicate size
• [Informal; with negative] Very

Conjunction:
[Usually with modal] Expressing a purpose, hope, or intention

[Causal] Introducing a subordinate clause expressing a statement or hypothesis

[Causal] Expressing a reason or cause

[Causal] Expressing a result

Pronoun:
Used to identify a specific person or thing observed by the speaker

• Referring to the more distant of two things near to the speaker (the other, if specified, being identified by this)

Referring to a specific thing previously mentioned, known, or understood

[Often with clause] Used in singling out someone or something and ascribing a distinctive feature to them

Relative Pronoun:
Used to introduce a defining or restrictive clause, especially one essential to identification

• Instead of which, who, or whom
• Instead of when after an expression of time

“On Saturday, June 1, Madsen, 32, shared a heartfelt post on her Instagram account, sharing some artwork celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, as well as an historical photo of a march following the Stonewall Riots” (Phillipp).

“People began lining up as early as 4 a.m. to cast their ballots at the consulate office in the 2400 block of West 6th Street, near MacArthur Park” (De Leon).

Conjunction:
The letter k is sometimes silent, as it is in knee.

She spilled the milk just as she was getting up.

I met him as I was leaving.

Pronoun:
She did her job well, as can be proved by the records.

Them as has gets.

“. . . that kind of fruit as maids call medlars . . .” –William Shakespeare

He is a foreigner, as is evident from his accent

Relative Pronoun:
I have the same trouble as you had.

She lived in the same building as my brother.

“. . . tears such as angels weep . . .” –John Milton

He is such a man as I honor.

My position is the same as yours.

I received the same grade as you did.

Those as want to can come with me.

It was that big, perhaps even bigger.

He wasn’t that far away.

Conjunction:
We pray that the coming year may be a year of peace.

I eat that I may live.

Oh that he could be restored to health.

She said that she was satisfied.

It is possible that we have misunderstood.

He seemed pleased that I wanted to continue.

She was so tired that she couldn’t think.

Pronoun:
That’s his wife over there.

This is stronger than that.

That’s a good idea!

What are we going to do about that?

His appearance was that of an undergrown man.

They care about the rights of those less privileged than themselves.

Relative Pronoun:
That is the book that I’ve just written.

Nineteen sixty-five is the year that Anna was born.

This is the book that we want.