RE: that vs who

["Downing, David" <david -dot- downing -at- Fiserv -dot- com>]

From: Peter Neilson <neilson -at- windstream -dot- net>
Subject: that vs who

"Any user >who< desires good results follows the instructions carefully."

"Any user >that< desires good results follows the instructions carefully."

I encounter both of these constructions in everyday use, and have the 
feeling that "who" is the correct usage. What accounts for the use of 
"that" in referring to people? Is there a rule that confirms my 
preference for "who" or one (of which I'm unaware) that prescribes "that"?

Perhaps people who fear distinguishing between "who" and "whom" are 
using "that" to avoid any chance of being wrong. But that doesn't seem 
possible. Here, for example, is a sentence where only "who" could 
possibly appear, but never "whom" or "that": "My sister, who is arriving 
tomorrow, is president of the Industrial Writers' Guild." And in the 
interrogatory, only "who" or "whom" can appear: "Whom have you invited?" 
"Who will be here?" Perhaps people avoid "who" because they feel it's 
reserved for questions? Or because they dread sounding like owls?

-------------------------------------------

I would agree that "who" is more appropriate than "that," because "that" makes a person sound like an inanimate object. I'm guessing the reason people use "that" is to emphasize the role -- user -- rather than the person.

David Downing
Senior Technical Writer
Credit Union Solutions
Fiserv
 
 

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