What Does Who Mean?
Who is a relative pronoun used to introduce clauses about people. It is considered the more appropriate choice when the antecedent is a person.
Who functions as a relative pronoun (people).
What Does That Mean?
That is a relative pronoun that can introduce clauses about things, animals, or (informally) people. It is used for essential (restrictive) clauses.
That functions as a relative pronoun (things / people informally).
Who vs That: Key Differences
| Who | That |
|---|---|
| Used for people | Used for things, animals, or people (informal) |
| Preferred in formal writing for people | Required for essential clauses about things |
| "The student who graduated" | "The car that broke down" |
Examples of Who in a Sentence
- The teacher who helped me is retiring this year.
- Anyone who wants to join can sign up online.
- She is the doctor who saved his life.
- People who exercise regularly tend to sleep better.
Examples of That in a Sentence
- The book that I borrowed was excellent.
- This is the restaurant that serves the best pasta.
- The dog that bit me was a stray.
- She found the files that were missing.
How to Remember the Difference
Ask: is the noun a person? Use who. Is it a thing or animal? Use that. When in doubt about a person, who is always the safer choice.
Common Mistakes
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The artist that painted this mural is famous. | The artist who painted this mural is famous. | 'Who' is preferred for people in formal writing. |
| The phone who keeps ringing is mine. | The phone that keeps ringing is mine. | Objects use 'that,' not 'who.' |
| Students that score above 90 get honors. | Students who score above 90 get honors. | 'Who' is preferred for people. |
If you are unsure which word fits, try Rephrasely's free grammar checker to catch errors instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'that' ever correct for people?
Yes. 'That' for people is acceptable in everyday English, especially in essential clauses: 'Anyone that wants to help can volunteer.' However, 'who' is preferred in formal contexts.
Should I use 'who' or 'which' for animals?
Use 'that' for animals in general. Use 'who' if the animal is named or treated as an individual (a pet). 'The dog who always greets me' vs. 'The species that migrates south.'
What about 'whom'?
'Whom' is the object form of 'who.' Use 'whom' when the pronoun is the object of a verb or preposition: 'The person whom you called.' See our page on who vs whom for more detail.