Who That?

When it comes to grammar I would not consider myself a strict grammar Nazi, though I am sure there are those who would disagree. If you have glaringly poor grammar, I cringe but the odd mistake or typo here and there does not bother me too much. But, admittedly, I do have my pet peeves that make me crazy whenever I see them. Incorrect use of its/it’s, there/they’re/their, you’re/your, not using adverbs properly and net speak in formal correspondence are among them. However, there is one thing that makes me positively insane. Ask anyone who knows me, this grammar issue is a big one for me and one that is mired in its own controversy. That is the use of “who” versus “that” in a sentence.

For example:

“Andrew is a person that plays bass guitar.” No, no, no, no! The correct version of that sentence should read, “Andrew is a person who plays bass guitar.”

The simple version of this rule is such: people are “who’s” and objects are “that’s”.

But, to give “that” and those WHO use “that” incorrectly at least some semblance of a fair shake, I will admit to some controversy and disagreement in its usage. There are those who believe use of “that” is as acceptable as “who” in the above example. Chaucer is one of those who used “that” as a relative pronoun. Purposely using “that” as opposed to “who” can denote a lack of respect or feeling the person in question is less than human.

Then, there is the obligatory grey area. This occurs when talking about a living being that is not human. So, would your favorite pet that you consider like a child be a “who” or a “that”? It can go either way, really. My personal rule for this is whether or not it has a name. I have fish. They die. A lot. I would say, “I have fish that die.” They are decoration and I have never once bothered to name one of them. I would hazard a guess that although I do not live on a farm if I had chickens or livestock I raised for food I would treat them similarly. I would not name them and would refer to them as “that’s” when referring to them at all. “I have chickens that roam around the yard.”

My dog on the other hand has a name so while not human I do typically refer to him as a “who”. “My dog is the kind who likes to jump in the water and go swimming.” Perhaps if I had Wilbur the pig, he’d be a “who” too but then I doubt Wilbur would wind up as the Easter ham either.

Granted, there may be a logical argument for the use of “that” over “who” in some cases. But here is where I disagree. I can not possibly believe the people who use “that” are doing so on purpose and can logically argue their reasons for doing so if pressed. Nope. They do it because they simply do not know better. What is alarming to me is how prevalent this use is. I hear it on the news, on television and see it in print everywhere. It really does make me crazy.

So STOP!

It’s a simple rule, really. People = “who”. Objects = “that”. If you stick to that rule we will all get along just fine.

Kthnksbye