Who vs. that

Now that we've tackled the ever-popular who vs. whom, let's look at a much more pressing battle involving who: who vs. that.

Writing is all about being able to express your ideas on paper and being as exact as possible with word choice helps that expression and makes the text more accessible to readers. In the interest of being exact, use who for people (and animals with names) and that for things.

Incorrect
The author that published a book on dogs was pretty funny.

Correct
The author who published a book on dogs was pretty funny.

Likewise, it would be incorrect to say: the table who had a missing screw was wobbly. Right? It would be the table that had a missing screw. I think we all get the that for things rule...who for people is the tricky part.

But now you know which wins when in who vs. that.