PROPER USE OF WHO & THAT

[JoanCarol]

When you refer to a person, the proper grammar is the word who, not
that...i.e. "John is the boy who went" is correct, while "John is the boy
that went," is incorrect. WHY hasn't SOMEone at Microsoft picked up this
error? It is a terrible mistake, especially when a person types it
incorrectly in a business letter. I have spoken to librarians who agree with
me that it is a terrible mistake that Microsoft has made. You need someone
who actually know proper grammar to set up your grammar check! PLEASE change
this. I cannot believe that you let this go through. I've been saying this
for years but am finally writing to you. Thanks!

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http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...d&dg=microsoft.public.word.application.errors

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

You are misinformed. There are numerous situations in which "that" may be
used for a person.

See, for example: http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/who-versus-that.aspx

Fowler says that "who suits particular persons, and that generic persons."

Moreover, the style level makes a great difference; while you might eschew
"that" for persons in very formal style, it is quite acceptable in more
informal writing and speech.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org

 

[Terry Farrell]

Microsoft does not compile the proofing tools. They are ready made packages
from third party suppliers.

But as Suzanne has pointed out to you, your informants have only explained
half the story and are incorrect. Why would you expect librarians to know
the intricacies of grammar?