Booher's Rules of Business Grammar - Dianna Booher 2009

Is shamu a who?
Pesky pronouns: The understudies

PEOPLE WHO OR THAT?

My brother-in-law grew up in a large family of boys. He tells about how often his mother “called the roll” unintentionally when flustered in the hustle and bustle of cooking, cleaning, and caring for a household of six: “Kevin, … Mike, … uh, … I mean … Charles, uh, … I mean Casey, … oh, well, you know who you are,” as she finally gave up on recalling the correct name and sent the unlucky one underfoot to run the errand.

People typically prefer to be called by their names. And when names are unavailable, they at least like to feel human as opposed to inanimate. That’s the issue with who and that.

When referring to people (and animals treated as people, such as Shamu, the whale, and Fluffy, the kitten), use who or that. When referring to places, ideas, or things, use that, which, or it, not who.

Memory tip

People rule. That means they have choices: that or who. Inanimate objects have to take the leftovers.