Team Which or Team Who or Team That? Choosing the Right Word

When you’re writing or speaking, one of the most common mistakes people make is using “which,” “who,” and “that” interchangeably. These relative pronouns are small words, but they play a big role in sentence structure. Choosing the right one can be confusing, especially when they all seem to serve similar purposes. 

So, how do you know when to use “who,” “which,” or “that”? In this article, we’ll break down these three words, explaining their usage and helping you avoid common mistakes. 

Understanding the difference between who, which, and that will not only improve your writing but also make your language more precise and professional.

By the end of this post, you’ll understand the nuances of these relative pronouns, giving your writing a polished and accurate feel. 

Whether you’re preparing an academic paper, a professional email, or just improving your conversational English, mastering these words will elevate your communication skills.

Understanding Relative Pronouns: A Quick Overview

Before diving into who, which, and that, let’s first understand what relative pronouns are. These are words that introduce relative clauses—those are the parts of the sentence that provide more information about a noun. They can link a sentence to a subject, making the sentence more informative.

For example:

• “The man who helped me is a doctor.”
• “I love the book which you gave me.”

In both cases, the relative pronouns “who” and “which” link the information to the noun (man, book). They help connect two parts of the sentence, adding more detail. Now, let’s explore how “who,” “which,” and “that” function in more depth.

The Correct Use of “Who”

The word “who” is used when referring to people or personified entities. It acts as the subject of the relative clause, providing information about who is doing the action. If you’re talking about a person or group of people, “who” is always the right choice.

When to Use “Who”:

• People: Use “who” when the subject of the clause is a person or a group of people.
  • Example: “The teacher who helped me passed away.”
• Personified Entities: In some cases, animals or objects that are personified (given human qualities) can also take “who”.
  • Example: “The dog who won the competition was very talented.”

In these examples, the relative clause provides more information about the person or dog. Remember, “who” always refers to the subject performing the action.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with “Who”:

• Don’t use “who” for things or objects: It’s important to remember that “who” should only refer to people (or personified beings). If you mistakenly say, “The book who was on the table”, it’s incorrect. The correct sentence would be “The book that was on the table.”

The Correct Use of “Which”

The relative pronoun “which” is used for things, animals, or concepts that are not human. Unlike “who,” “which” is typically used in non-defining clauses, providing additional, but not essential, information.

When to Use “Which”:

• Things or Animals: Use “which” to refer to objects, animals, or concepts.
  • Example: “The book which I borrowed was excellent.”
• Non-Defining Clauses: “Which” often introduces non-restrictive clauses—information that adds detail but isn’t essential to the meaning of the sentence.
  • Example: “My car, which is blue, broke down.”

In this example, the phrase “which is blue” adds extra detail about the car, but the sentence still makes sense without it.

Difference Between “Which” and “That” in Non-Defining Clauses:

• When a relative clause provides non-essential information (something you could remove without changing the core meaning of the sentence), “which” is preferred.
  • Example: “The book, which was a gift, sits on the shelf.”
• Here, the phrase “which was a gift” is additional information. The sentence would still be clear without it: “The book sits on the shelf.”

The Correct Use of “That”

The word “that” serves a slightly different function. It’s used in restrictive clauses—clauses that are essential to the meaning of the sentence. In these cases, “that” defines or restricts the noun it modifies.

When to Use “That”:

• People and Things: Use “that” when referring to people, things, or concepts in restrictive clauses.
  • Example: “The movie that I watched was amazing.”
• Restrictive Clauses: These clauses provide essential information that narrows down the noun or subject.
  • Example: “The book that I need is in the library.”

Here, “that I need” is essential to understanding which book is being referred to. Without that information, the sentence would be incomplete.

Key Differences Between “That” and “Which”:

• The key distinction between “that” and “which” is that “that” is used for essential, defining clauses, while “which” is used for non-defining, extra information.
  • Example with “that”: “The book that is on the table is mine.” (Without “that,” it’s unclear which book is being referred to.)
  • Example with “which”: “The book, which is on the table, is mine.” (The extra information, “which is on the table,” isn’t essential to the sentence.)

Choosing Between “Who,” “Which,” and “That”

Now that we’ve covered how to use “who,” “which,” and “that,” the next challenge is knowing when to use each one correctly. While there is some overlap, the choice between these relative pronouns depends on the noun you’re referring to and the type of clause you’re constructing.

People = Who

• When the subject of your sentence is a person, always use “who.”
  • Example: “The teacher who taught us was amazing.”

Things = Which or That

• For things, you generally use “which” for non-essential clauses and “that” for essential clauses.
  • Example (Non-Essential): “The book, which was on sale, is now sold out.”
  • Example (Essential): “The book that was on sale is now sold out.”

Animals = Who (Sometimes) or Which

• Use “who” if the animal is personified or treated like a person. Otherwise, “which” is typically used for animals.
  • Example: “The dog who was abandoned found a new home.” (Personified)
  • Example: “The cat which lives next door is always at my window.”

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even native English speakers sometimes make mistakes when using “who,” “which,” and “that.” Here are some of the most common errors and how to avoid them:

Mistake 1: Using “Who” for Objects

• Incorrect: “The book who is on the table.”
• Correct: “The book that is on the table.”

Mistake 2: Using “Which” for People

• Incorrect: “The man which helped me.”
• Correct: “The man who helped me.”

Mistake 3: Using Commas Incorrectly with “Which”

• Incorrect: “The car which is blue is fast.”
• Correct: “The car that is blue is fast.” (No commas)
• Non-defining clause with which: “The car, which is blue, is fast.” (Use commas in non-defining clauses.)

Conclusion

In conclusion, “who,” “which,” and “that” are essential to making your writing clear and precise. Understanding when to use each relative pronoun will help you create more effective sentences and avoid common mistakes. To recap:

• Use “who” for people or personified entities.
• Use “which” for things, animals (when non-personified), and non-defining clauses.
• Use “that” for restrictive clauses when essential information is being provided.

Mastering these distinctions can make a huge difference in your communication. So, the next time you’re writing, take a moment to consider which word you should use. With practice, you’ll confidently choose the right relative pronoun and improve your grammar and style.

FAQs

1. Can I use “who” for animals?

• Typically, “who” is used for people, but in certain contexts where animals are personified, “who” can be acceptable.

2. Should I always use commas with “which”?

• Use commas with “which” only when the information is non-essential (non-defining clause). For restrictive clauses, use “that” without commas.

3. Can “that” replace “which”?

• Yes, “that” can replace “which” in restrictive clauses, but not in non-restrictive clauses.

4. Is it okay to say “the person which”?

• No, “which” should not be used for people. Always use “who” for people.