Who Vs That: Mastering the Art of Choosing the Right Word in English Grammar
Hey friends! If you're anything like me, you’ve probably stumbled over the tricky difference between who and that more times than you can count. Don't worry—you're not alone! These two words seem simple but can trip up even seasoned writers. Today, I’ll break down everything you need to know to confidently decide when to use who and that, making your writing clearer, more precise, and totally on point.
Understanding the Essentials: Who vs. That
At first glance, who and that might look interchangeable—they’re both used to introduce relative clauses. However, their usage depends on context and the type of noun they refer to. Let’s demystify these two words with clear definitions and examples.
Definitions and Core Differences
What is Who?
- Who is a relative pronoun that refers specifically to people.
- It introduces relative clauses providing more information about a person or group of persons.
Example:
The teacher who teaches Math is very friendly.
(Here, who refers to the teacher—a person.)
What is That?
- That is a relative pronoun capable of referring to people, animals, or things.
- It can be used in restrictive clauses (essential information) without commas.
Example:
The book that I borrowed from the library is fantastic.
(Here, that refers to the book—a thing.)
Summary Table: Who vs. That
| Feature | Who | That |
|---|---|---|
| Refers to | People | People, animals, or things |
| Use in restrictive clauses | Usually no | Yes |
| Use in non-restrictive clauses | Generally no (prefer whom or commas) | Usually no (better use in restrictive clauses) |
| Comma usage | No (generally) | No (in restrictive clauses) |
| Formality | Slightly more formal | Slightly more versatile |
When and How to Use Who and That Correctly
Knowing where and when to use these words is key to sound grammar. Here are some detailed steps and tips for proper use.
How to Identify the Correct Relative Pronoun
- Step 1: Determine if the noun refers to a person or thing.
- Step 2: Decide whether the clause is restrictive or non-restrictive:
- Restrictive clauses specify exactly which noun we mean—no commas.
- Non-restrictive provide extra info—use commas.
- Step 3: Choose the appropriate relative pronoun:
- Use who for people, especially in non-restrictive clauses or formal writing.
- Use that for people, animals, or objects (especially in restrictive clauses).
Example Breakdown
| Sentence | Correct Relative Pronoun | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| The student who scored highest… | Who | Refers to a person; likely a non-restrictive clause |
| The film that won awards was… | That | Refers to a thing; restrictive clause |
| The dog that barked all night… | That | Refers to an animal in a restrictive clause |
Tips for Success with Who and That
- When referring to people in formal writing, prefer who.
- Use that for restrictive clauses—no commas.
- In informal writing or speech, that is widely acceptable for people.
- For non-restrictive info about people, always use who, e.g.,
My cousin, who lives in Canada, is visiting us.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
| Mistake | Correct Usage | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Using that instead of who for a person | "The singer who performed last night" | Think people = who; things = that |
| Omitting that in essential clauses | "The book that I lost is expensive" | Remember, omit that only in non-essential clauses with commas |
| Using who in place of that for objects | "The car that broke down was old" | Use that for objects in restrictive clauses |
Variations and Related Forms
- Whom: Formal object of who
The person whom I saw yesterday was friendly. - Whose: Shows possession
The artist whose paintings sold well is famous. - Using commas: To set off non-restrictive clauses
My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting next week.
Why Is Correct Usage Important?
Properly distinguishing who from that enhances clarity, professionalism, and readability of your writing. Misusing these can lead to confusion or appear unpolished, especially in formal contexts like academic papers or professional reports.
Practice Exercises: Let’s Test Your Knowledge!
Let's put this into action with some practice activities.
Fill-in-the-blank
- The teacher ___ teaches us history is very passionate about her work.
- The movie ___ we watched last night was thrilling.
- The artist ___ paintings hung in the gallery is internationally acclaimed.
Error Correction
Rewrite the sentences correctly:
- The dog that barked loudly was my neighbor's.
- The singer who performed the song received a standing ovation.
- The book that I bought yesterday is on the table.
Identification
Identify the correct relative pronoun used:
- The actor (who/that) starred in the new movie is from Canada.
- The laptop (who/that) I bought last week is already malfunctioning.
- The students (who/that) study regularly tend to perform better.
Sentence Construction
Create sentences using who and that appropriately for the following nouns:
- Doctor
- Car
- Musician
- House
- Cat
Category Matching
Match the sentence with correct relative pronoun usage:
| Sentence | Correct Pronoun | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| The person _ called me yesterday is my boss. | who | Refers to a person |
| The shoes _ I bought are on sale. | that | Refers to things |
| The engineer _ designed this bridge is famous. | who | Refers to a person |
Final Thoughts: Make It a Practice Point
So, friends, mastering who and that isn't just about memorization—it's about understanding the subtle nuances and applying them consistently. Remember, who is your go-to for people, especially in formal or non-restrictive clauses, while that can be versatile for objects and restrictive clauses.
Getting these right boosts your writing clarity and helps you communicate more effectively. Keep practicing with examples, check your sentences for proper relative pronoun use, and soon you'll be writing with confidence. Happy grammar’ing!
I hope this guide helps you unlock the mystery behind who versus that. Stay tuned for more tips on perfecting your English grammar, and remember: great writing is just a few correct words away!