I'm not a grammar snob. In fact, you'll notice I tend to use a lot of ellipsis's when I don't really need them. I just like them...they work. And I'm okay with some folks not liking how I use them.... Notice the extra . since it's the end of a sentence. :-) I also use emojis in blog posts, which is supposed to be a no-no. I use words like puter, cause, (without the ' showing I left off the be.) and sometimes, I forget or ignore the Oxford Comma, especially in blog posts. I mean, blogs are less formal. I think blogs, for the most part, are a way for people to get to know each other. Sure, there are informative blogs out there that need to be formal and proper, but this isn't one of them.
That said, using that when you should use who, bothers me. And the book I'm editing now does that a lot. I mean, almost all the time.
So, here's the rule.
If you are speaking of a person or group of people - use who.
If you are speaking of a thing or animal - use that.
Simple. Easy.
Unless...you are specifically treating a person with disdain, as a non-human, then you can use that. For example, "Max is the jerk that married Jim's daughter." Just be deliberate about it.
What is your grammar peeve? Share and be entered to win stuff. See contest post for more details.
Here's a picture of Watson out in the snow. He really liked it and didn't want to come in.
That said, using that when you should use who, bothers me. And the book I'm editing now does that a lot. I mean, almost all the time.
So, here's the rule.
If you are speaking of a person or group of people - use who.
If you are speaking of a thing or animal - use that.
Simple. Easy.
Unless...you are specifically treating a person with disdain, as a non-human, then you can use that. For example, "Max is the jerk that married Jim's daughter." Just be deliberate about it.
What is your grammar peeve? Share and be entered to win stuff. See contest post for more details.
Here's a picture of Watson out in the snow. He really liked it and didn't want to come in.
