RE: that vs who

Subject: RE: that vs who
From: "Boudreaux, Madelyn (GE Healthcare, consultant)" <MadelynBoudreaux -at- ge -dot- com>
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 12:24:26 -0400

>I would think so too, but it's hard to think of
>contexts where you'd be trying to decide between
>"who" or "that" to refer to a specific person.

What about when you're referring to activities performed by a specific
role, which may be one or more specific people at any time?

The two managers who have keys must be available at all times to unlock
the liquor cabinet.
The two managers that have keys must be available at all times to unlock
the liquor cabinet.
The two managers, Gina and Bob, who have the only keys, must be
available at all times to unlock the liquor cabinet.

I run into this a lot in my current work, where there are roles that are
performed by one person, who has done the job for years, and they have
become their jobs.

I reminds me a bit of ages where people used their profession as their
name, and who maybe went by the name of their job. I don't know if this
really happened, but I recall it from Shakespeare (Juliet's nurse just
goes by the name Nurse, although it's obviously her role) and from
novels.

I can see it working either way, but I've been following the rule: if
there's more than one of that role at any time, the title starts with
"the," is written in lower case and uses "that."

Sincerely,
Madelyn, kinda wishing for a liquor cabinet...and a key.
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Follow-Ups:

References:
Re: that vs who: From: Downing, David
Re: that vs who: From: Gene Kim-Eng

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