that is — used to explain or make clearer what has just been said; in other words
Part of speech: ADVERB
Definition: used to explain or make clearer what has just been said; in other words
Pronunciation (IPA): /ðæt ɪz/
Example Sentences
- I'm a foodie, that is, I basically live to eat.
- He passed the exam, that is, he barely scraped by with a 60.
- The meeting is postponed, that is, moved to next Friday.
that is
ADVERB[/ðæt ɪz/]
used to explain or make clearer what has just been said; in other words
He rewrote the ending, that is, he changed the villain into a hero.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The phrase 'that is' evolved as an English equivalent to the Latin formula 'id est' (literally 'that is'), which was abbreviated as 'i.e.' in English texts. By combining the demonstrative pronoun 'that' (from Old English þæt) with the verb 'is' (from Old English bēon), the phrase developed the sense of 'that is to say' or 'in other words,' used to restate or clarify preceding statements. From Middle English onward, it became established as a discourse marker for explanation and elaboration.
Breakdown
that (demonstrative pronoun, from Old English þæt, meaning 'that thing') + is (verb 'to be,' from Old English bēon) → 'that is [to say]' → a formulaic phrase meaning 'that is to say' or 'in other words,' paralleling Latin id est.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“I'm a foodie, that is, I basically live to eat.”
“He passed the exam, that is, he barely scraped by with a 60.”
“The meeting is postponed, that is, moved to next Friday.”
“She only eats organic food, that is to say, she's very picky about what goes into her body.”
📚Related Words
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