People Who vs. People That – Which is Correct?

While both “people who” and “people that” are grammatically acceptable in American English, “people who” is generally preferred when referring to individuals. “Who” specifically denotes a person or people, emphasizing their human quality, whereas “that” can refer to both people and things, making it a more general choice.

people who or people that – Which is Correct?

The distinction between “people who” and “people that” revolves around the choice of relative pronoun. Both “who” and “that” can introduce a relative clause that modifies “people.” However, traditional grammar and stylistic preference lean towards using “who” when the antecedent is a person or group of people. “Who” acts as a subject or object pronoun specifically for humans, while “that” is a more versatile pronoun used for both people and inanimate objects.

Using “people who” is often considered more formal and precise, clearly indicating that the clause refers to individuals. “People that,” while not strictly incorrect, can sometimes sound less refined or be used when the emphasis is on a characteristic or group rather than the individual humanity. For instance, “the people that work here” focuses on their function, while “the people who work here” emphasizes the individuals themselves.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To remember the difference, use the “Human vs. Object” trick: think of “who” as related to “human.” If you are referring to a human or a group of humans, use “who.” If you are referring to an object, an animal (without personification), or a concept, use “that” (or “which”). While “that” can refer to people, “who” is exclusively for people, making it the clearer and often preferred choice for human subjects.

Word/Phrase	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
people who	Phrase (Noun + Relative Pronoun)	Refers to individuals; generally preferred for human antecedents.	The people who live next door are very friendly.
people that	Phrase (Noun + Relative Pronoun)	Refers to individuals or a group; acceptable but sometimes less formal than “who.”	I admire the people that volunteer their time.

How to Use people who

“People who” is used to introduce a relative clause that provides essential or non-essential information about a group of individuals. The pronoun “who” functions as the subject or object of the clause, always referring to people. It is generally considered the grammatically superior and more elegant choice when referring to human beings, especially in formal writing.

Example 1: We are looking for people who are passionate about environmental conservation.

Example 2: She respects people who always tell the truth, no matter how difficult it is.

Example 3: The charity helps people who have lost their homes in natural disasters.

Etymology of the word people who

The word “people” derives from the Old French peple, from Latin populus, meaning “a people, nation, multitude.” It has been used in English since the 13th century. The relative pronoun “who” comes from Old English hwā, meaning “who, what, which, why, how.” Its use as a relative pronoun specifically for persons developed over time, solidifying its role in English grammar as the personal relative pronoun.

How to Use people that

“People that” is also used to introduce a relative clause modifying “people.” While “that” can refer to both people and things, its use for people is common in informal speech and writing. Some grammarians consider it acceptable, particularly in restrictive clauses (clauses essential to the meaning of the sentence). However, it might be perceived as less formal or precise than “people who” by others.

Example 1: The company only hires people that have a strong work ethic.

Example 2: I appreciate people that can make me laugh.

Example 3: There are many people that believe in extraterrestrial life.

Etymology of the word people that

As discussed, “people” traces its roots back to Latin populus. The word “that” originates from Old English þæt, which served as a demonstrative pronoun, adjective, and conjunction, referring to both persons and things. Over centuries, “that” evolved to become a widely used relative pronoun, maintaining its versatility to refer to animate and inanimate antecedents.

Related Concepts

Understanding these broader grammatical concepts can help clarify the appropriate use of “who” and “that” when referring to people.

• Relative Pronouns: These are words like “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “which,” and “that” that introduce a dependent clause (a relative clause) and connect it to a noun or pronoun in the main clause. They function to provide additional information about the noun.
• Restrictive vs. Non-Restrictive Clauses: A restrictive clause provides essential information that defines or identifies the noun it modifies (e.g., “The students who studied hard passed”). A non-restrictive clause provides additional, non-essential information and is set off by commas (e.g., “My sister, who is a doctor, lives in London”). “That” is typically used for restrictive clauses, while “who” can be used for both.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.” — Theodore Roosevelt, “Citizenship in a Republic” (1910)
• “I’m selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can’t handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best.” — Marilyn Monroe (often attributed)
• “We are the people that we have been waiting for.” — Barack Obama (referring to a collective sense of responsibility and agency)
• “There are people who make things happen, there are people who watch things happen, and there are people who wonder what happened.” — Mary Kay Ash
• “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light.” — Isaiah 9:2 (King James Bible)

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The scientists ______ discovered the new vaccine were honored.
2. I know a lot of ______ enjoy hiking in the mountains.
3. It’s the kind of movie ______ makes ______ think.
4. The parents ______ attended the meeting voiced their concerns.
5. She prefers working with ______ are proactive and innovative.

Answer Key

1. who
2. people who
3. that, people
4. who
5. people who

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “people that” always incorrect?
No, “people that” is not always incorrect. It is widely used in informal contexts and is grammatically acceptable, especially in restrictive clauses. However, “people who” is generally preferred for its precision and formality when referring to humans.

Question 2: When should I definitely use “who” instead of “that” for people?
You should definitely use “who” when the clause is non-restrictive (i.e., provides extra, non-essential information and is set off by commas). For example: “My neighbor, who is a talented musician, is performing tonight.” Also, in more formal writing, “who” is almost always the preferred choice for human antecedents.

Question 3: Does “that” sound impersonal when referring to people?
To some ears, using “that” for people can sound slightly more impersonal or objectifying, as “that” is also used for inanimate objects. “Who” inherently carries a personal connotation, making it the more empathetic and precise choice when referring to individuals.

Conclusion

In the choice between “people who” and “people that,” precision and formality often guide the decision. While “people that” is not strictly erroneous and is common in everyday speech, “people who” is generally the preferred option for referring to human beings, particularly in formal writing and when emphasizing the individual humanity of the subjects. Opting for “who” ensures clarity and adheres to traditional grammatical preferences, enhancing the professionalism and polish of your communication.