such a thing vs that

such a thing

that

noun
  • Something being indicated that is there; one of those. 

det
  • The (thing, person, idea, etc) indicated or understood from context, especially if more remote physically, temporally or mentally than one designated as "this", or if expressing distinction. 

adv
  • To such an extent; so. (in positive constructions). 

  • To a given extent or degree. 

  • To a great extent or degree; very, particularly (in negative constructions). 

conj
  • Introducing a subordinate clause expressing a reason or cause: because, in that. 

  • Introducing — especially, but not exclusively, with an antecedent like so or such — a subordinate clause expressing a result, consequence, or effect. 

  • Introducing a subordinate clause modifying an adverb. 

  • Introducing a clause which is the subject or object of a verb (such as one involving reported speech), or which is a complement to a previous statement. 

  • Introducing an exclamation expressing a strong emotion such as sadness or surprise. 

pron
  • The known (thing); used to refer to something just said. 

  • That's my car over there. 

  • The thing, person, idea, quality, event, action, or time indicated or understood from context, especially if more remote geographically, temporally or mentally than one designated as "this", or if expressing distinction. 

  • The aforementioned quality or proposition; used to emphatically affirm or deny a previous statement or question. 

  • (plural that) Which, who; representing a subject, direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition. 

  • Used in place of relative adverbs such as where or when; often omitted. 

How often have the words such a thing and that occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )