Yes, you absolutely can begin a sentence with “that.” This simple, three-letter word has been the subject of one of the most persistent and misunderstood grammatical “rules” in the English language. For generations, students have been taught to avoid starting sentences with conjunctions like and, but, or that, often without understanding the historical reasoning or the reality of modern usage. This prohibition is a myth, a fossilized piece of advice from a bygone era of rigid prescriptivism. Understanding when and why to use “that” at the beginning of a sentence is a powerful tool for achieving clarity, emphasis, and a natural, sophisticated writing style.
The Myth of the Prohibited “That”
The idea that a sentence cannot start with “that” stems from a fundamental confusion about its grammatical function. Consider this: “That” is primarily a conjunction (introducing a noun clause) or a relative pronoun (introducing a relative clause). The old rule likely arose from a well-intentioned but overgeneralized attempt to prevent sentence fragments. A clause starting with “that” is almost always a subordinate clause, meaning it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence Simple, but easy to overlook..
As an example, “That she was late” is not a complete sentence; it’s a dependent clause needing an independent main clause to form a complete thought: “That she was late was obvious.”
The erroneous rule morphed into: “Never start a sentence with ‘that’.” This mistakenly applied a caution against fragments to all uses of the word, regardless of whether the resulting structure was grammatically complete. In reality, when the clause introduced by “that” contains both a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought, it is a perfectly valid independent clause and can stand as its own sentence.
When Starting with “That” Is Grammatically Correct
The key is to ensure the sentence is structurally complete. Here are the primary, correct scenarios:
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“That” as a Conjunction Introducing a Noun Clause: This is the most common and powerful use. The entire clause functions as the subject or object of the sentence.
- “That the experiment failed disappointed the entire team.” (The noun clause “That the experiment failed” is the subject of the sentence.)
- “I believe that we can find a solution.” (The noun clause “that we can find a solution” is the direct object of “believe.”) In both cases, the clause beginning with “that” is the core of the sentence and is grammatically self-contained.
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“That” as a Demonstrative Pronoun: Here, “that” points to a specific idea or thing previously mentioned and acts as the subject.
- “She made a compelling argument. That convinced everyone.” (“That” refers to “a compelling argument” and is the subject of “convinced.”)
- “He proposed two plans. That was the better one.”
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“That” as a Relative Pronoun in a Defining Clause: While less common at the very start, it can occur when the relative clause itself is the subject.
- “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” (A famous aphorism from Nietzsche, where “that which” functions as the subject.)
- “That who betrayed us must be found.” (Archaic/formal, but structurally sound; modern English would typically use “The person who…”).
Common Errors and How to Avoid Them
The misuse that likely fueled the myth is the sentence fragment. This happens when only the subordinate clause is written, with no main clause to complete the thought.
- Incorrect (Fragment): “That the project is behind schedule.” (This is just a dependent clause. It feels incomplete because it is.)
- Correct: “That the project is behind schedule is a serious concern.” (Now the dependent clause is repurposed as the subject of the independent clause “is a serious concern.”)
Another pitfall is using “that” as a dummy subject (it or there are more common) in a way that creates awkwardness. * Awkward: “That is why I am late.While not strictly ungrammatical, it can sound stilted. ” (Acceptable but less common than “That’s why…” or “That is the reason…”)
- Better: “That explains the delay.
Stylistic Considerations and Rhetorical Power
Beyond pure grammar, starting a sentence with “that” is a stylistic choice with significant rhetorical effects:
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Emphasis and Focus: Placing the “that” clause first puts immediate, strong emphasis on the idea it introduces. It signals to the reader: “Pay attention to this core concept.”
- “That we must act now is non-negotiable.” (Emphasizes the urgency of the action.)
- Compare to: “It is non-negotiable that we must act now.” (The emphasis is diluted on “it is.”)
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Formal and Academic Tone: This structure is prevalent in academic writing, legal documents, and formal analysis, where precision and the clear delineation of arguments are essential. It helps package complex ideas into manageable, subject-focused units.
- “That economic inequality correlates with social unrest is well-documented.”
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Narrative Flow and Connection: It can create a smooth, logical link from a previous statement, often acting as a bridge.
- “He denied any involvement. That his fingerprints were on the weapon suggested otherwise.”
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Avoiding Wordiness: It can be more concise than alternative phrasings Worth keeping that in mind..
- “That she accepted the offer surprised no one.” vs. “The fact that she accepted the offer surprised no one.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I start a sentence with "that" in informal writing? A: Yes, but use it sparingly. In casual contexts, it can feel overly formal or stilted. Here's one way to look at it: "That she didn't call is strange" works, but "That's why I'm late" is more natural in speech It's one of those things that adds up..
Q: Is it ever wrong to start a sentence with "that"? A: Only if the result is a sentence fragment. Ensure the "that" clause is part of a complete thought, either as a subject, complement, or in a cleft sentence And that's really what it comes down to..
Q: How does this differ from using "which" or "who" at the start? A: "Which" and "who" typically introduce relative clauses, not standalone subjects. "That" is unique in its ability to function as a demonstrative pronoun or subordinating conjunction at the sentence's head.
Q: Does this work in all tenses? A: Yes. The tense of the main verb determines the sentence's temporal context. As an example, "That he will arrive late is likely" (future) vs. "That he arrived late was unfortunate" (past).
Conclusion
The idea that sentences cannot start with "that" is a grammatical myth, likely born from confusion over fragments and a misunderstanding of dependent clauses. Whether you're crafting an academic argument, a legal statement, or a narrative beat, starting with "that" can sharpen your focus and strengthen your prose—so long as the sentence is complete. In practice, in reality, "that" is a versatile tool for emphasis, clarity, and formal precision. The next time you hear this "rule," you'll know: it's not a rule at all, but a stylistic choice with real rhetorical power.
Beyond the Myth: Mastering Sentences That Begin with "That"
The persistent notion that sentences cannot begin with the word "that" is a common misconception lingering in the realm of grammar. While caution is warranted to avoid sentence fragments, the assertion that "that" is inherently forbidden is inaccurate and limits stylistic expression. Understanding the nuances of "that" allows writers to employ it effectively, adding precision, formality, and emphasis to their work.
As we've explored, "that" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that acts as the subject of the main clause. This structure is particularly valuable in academic and formal writing, where clear and direct articulation of arguments is essential. Practically speaking, it also provides a natural way to create a smooth transition from a previous statement, building logical connections between ideas. Adding to this, using "that" at the beginning of a sentence can be a concise alternative to longer phrases like "the fact that," streamlining the writing without sacrificing clarity Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
The key to successful implementation lies in ensuring the resulting sentence is grammatically sound and complete. A sentence beginning with "that" must have a main clause that can stand alone as a complete thought. Practically speaking, this often involves a verb and a subject, creating a balanced and coherent structure. The examples discussed earlier – emphasizing a point, introducing a factual statement, or creating a narrative link – highlight the diverse applications of this seemingly simple word Took long enough..
At the end of the day, the perceived prohibition against starting sentences with “that” is less a rigid grammatical rule and more a matter of stylistic preference and careful construction. Here's the thing — by recognizing the legitimate functions of "that" in sentence structure and focusing on ensuring sentence completeness, writers can confidently make use of this word to enhance the clarity, precision, and impact of their writing. It's a guideline developed to prevent common errors, but not a definitive restriction. It’s a tool, not a taboo, and understanding its potential unlocks a new level of rhetorical flexibility Took long enough..
