Who That?

I often cringe with reading items on the Internet. It seems a generation (or more) has yet to understand the difference between using "who" and "that" in sentences.


I forget HOW my grade school teachers taught me the rules governing "who", "that", and "which" (we'll get to "which" another time). But, I remember knowing that I understood. I got it. Back then, it was simple to tell the difference: When my classmates used a "that" when it should be "who", it sounded like squeaky chalk dragged across the blackboard. Using the right one of the two made little disturbance, much like the old padded erasers the teacher moved quickly across the huge slate blackboard.


I think many students today feel indifferent about the rules for using "who" and "that". They face so much disrespect, anger, and violence from so many directions in life, who can blame them for thinking "who - that" choices are much fussiness about nothing.


Yet, if students FELT the wrong choice as disrespect, maybe they would care more. Calling a person (a noun or pronoun) as "that" IS very disrespectful. Few people would want to have themselves called a "that" (would you want to be a "that"? I doubt it.) "Who", on the other hand, places persons in positions of respect. "he who..." "my grandmother who..." "my best friend who..."


TIP: If you have trouble picking correctly between "who" and "that" in sentences, try this. In each sentence, insert your name, and pick between he or she (whichever gender you are).

(Your name), who worked a good job, wanted time off.

The teacher praised (your name), who submitted the best essay in the class.



TIP: Also, look at speeches and statements made by important people.

Let's use Benjamin Franklin for "that":

I think opinions should be judged by their influences and effects; and if a man holds none that tend to make him less virtuous or more vicious, it may be concluded that he holds none that are dangerous, which I hope is the case with me. Letter to his parents (c. 1728) as quoted in Benjamin Franklin: An American Life (2003) by Walter Isaacson


I've lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing Proofs I see of this Truth — That God governs in the Affairs of Men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his Notice, is it probable that an Empire can rise without his Aid? Speech to the Constitutional Convention (1787-06-28) Manuscript notes by Franklin are preserved in the Library of Congress.


The art of concluding from experience and observation consists in evaluating probabilities, in estimating if they are high or numerous enough to constitute proof. This type of calculation is more complicated and more difficult than one might think. It demands a great sagacity generally above the power of common people. The success of charlatans, sorcerors, and alchemists—and all those who abuse public credulity—is founded on errors in this type of calculation. Benjamin Franklin and Antoine Lavoisier, Rapport des commissaires chargés par le roi de l'examen du magnétisme animal (1784), as translated in "The Chain of Reason versus the Chain of Thumbs", Bully for Brontosaurus (1991) by Stephen Jay Gould, p. 195




Let's turn Martin Luther King, Jr. for "who" in sentences:


Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice.


But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds.

There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?"


And one more MLK, Jr. for "that":

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.



Here are my examples:

Nouns / pronouns require "who."

Non-person object nouns / pronouns require "that."


I hate to point a finger at particular Internet users, so I'll alter a couple sentences I found.

Correct use of "that" --

It'd be cool if you could make an online birthday party for your grandmother that we could all attend - a cyber party!

Wrong use of "that" -- (two instances)

You should not criticize a mother that is trying to do the best she can, especially with all the mothers in this world that abuse and make their kids miserable.

Correct use of "who" --

Mothers who work outside the home have more hectic schedules with their children.


(Correct) Mixed use of "who" and "that"--

You can tell your grandmother, who would never suspect a party, that you'll show her how chat rooms work.

I like editors who write editorials that not only express editors' own opinions, but ones that highlight a politician's arguments.


"That also" refers to groups:

The television stations that broadcasted the obscenity were fined.

The crowd taunted the team that hit the fewest home runs.


TIP:
Remember, "who" displays respect for persons.

"That" points to objects and groups.





Judith




Sources:

Benjamin Franklin. (various sources)
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Benjamin_Franklin

Martin Luther King, Jr. I Have A Dream. Aug. 28, 1963
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm