Who and that are both relative pronouns referring to nouns in a sentence. These are commonly confused with one another, but it’s important to know the difference between them, so you can use them correctly in your writing.
When to Use Who vs. That
Who should be used when referring to people.
- People who excel as leaders often share several key qualities
That should be used when referring to objects (and sometimes animals—more on that later).
- Businesses that invest in financial tools and software can streamline their accounting processes.
Faraway Antecedents
Sometimes the antecedent (the noun the pronoun refers to) is not near the pronoun. This can make it more difficult to identify whether to use that or who.
- The employees were recognized for their dedication, especially those that/who showed exceptional commitment during the busy season.
In this example, the correct pronoun is who because it refers to the employees.
Animals
Choosing between that and who can also be tricky when referring to an animal. If you’re writing about an animal you consider part of the family, an animal that is personified (given human characteristics, like speech), or an animal that has a name, use who. For all other instances, use that. Here are some examples with explanations:
- My dog, who loves to lick empty peanut butter jars, is named Daisy.
- In this example, I’m writing about my actual dog, Daisy, who I consider a family member. She is also being referred to by name. For both of these reasons, who is the correct pronoun.
- I enjoy Aesop’s fable about the mouse who saved the lion from a trap.
- Here, I am referring to a mouse who is personified in the story. In the story, the mouse speaks and makes the conscious decision to help the lion.
- The polar bear that was spotted on the northern coast has been tracked by researchers to study its migration patterns.
- The polar bear is not given a name, is not part of a human family, and is not personified. In this context, that is the correct pronoun.
I hope this helps clear up some confusion. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected] or book a call.
Check out some of our other grammar mini lessons!
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