Grammar 101: Who vs That

Ever been stuck wondering whether to use who or that in a sentence? You’re not alone. The Who vs That dilemma is one of the most common grammar confusions in English. While they can both introduce clauses, choosing the wrong one can make your writing feel clunky—or even grammatically incorrect.

So, what’s the difference? Who is used when referring to people, while that is generally reserved for objects, animals, or groups. Knowing which to use and when helps your writing stay polished, professional, and precise. Whether you’re writing an academic paper, an email, or a blog post, mastering who vs that can make all the difference.

Let’s break down the rule with simple grammar tips, real-life examples, and memory tricks you’ll never forget.

Grammatical Explanation of Who vs That

The Key Difference in Usage

Both who and that are relative pronouns used to introduce clauses. The major distinction lies in what they refer to.

• Who refers to people.
  Example: The doctor who treated me was kind.
• That refers to things, animals, or sometimes groups of people (like organisations).
  Example: The book that changed my life is now out of print.

While in spoken English, some people use that for people, it’s considered informal and often discouraged in formal writing.

Variations in Usage

• British English tends to be more flexible, sometimes allowing that for people in less formal contexts.
• American English generally favours who for people and considers that less acceptable in such cases.

Who vs That is not just stylistic—it’s about clarity and respect, especially when referring to individuals.

Real-Life Examples

Let’s look at correct and incorrect usage examples to help you solidify the rule.

Correct: Using “Who”

• The teacher who inspired me retired last year.
• He’s the manager who approved the budget.

Correct: Using “That”

• The laptop that crashed was brand new.
• I found the article that explained it perfectly.

Incorrect Examples

• The woman that helped me was kind.
  Correction: The woman who helped me was kind.
• The puppy who barked all night kept me awake.
  Correction: The puppy that barked all night kept me awake. (unless personifying the puppy)

Note: In some creative or poetic uses, these rules can bend. But for academic, business, or SEO writing—stick to the standards

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Using that when referring to people

• The engineer that built the bridge…
  Use: The engineer who built the bridge…

Mistake 2: Using who for inanimate objects

• The car who won the race…
  Use: The car that won the race…

Mistake 3: Inconsistency in usage

• Switching between who and that in the same document or sentence structure can confuse readers.

Learn more from Merriam-Webster’s grammar guide

Memory Tips for Who vs That

Here’s a quick way to remember

You can even imagine a courtroom:

• “Who did it?” (We ask about a person)
• “That is the evidence.” (An object)

Stick to this simple trick, and the Who vs That confusion won’t trip you up again.

Conclusion

When it comes to Who vs That, the rule is simple: use who for people and that for everything else. Getting it right not only improves your grammar but also sharpens your writing’s clarity and tone.

Ready to master more commonly confused word pairs? Check out our main guide or explore Assure vs. Ensure vs. Insure to level up your writing even more.