Difference between relative pronouns "that" and "who"
Eric Clampton's Wonderful Tonight goes, partly, "We go to a party and everyone turns to see this beautiful lady that's walking around with me."
If "that's walking around with me" is changed to "who's walking around with me," does it make any difference in the meaning and/or nuance?
I know both are grammatically correct, but I suspect there may be a subtle difference.
Top answer
anonymous If "that's walking around with me" is changed to "who's walking around with me," does it make any difference in the meaning and/or nuance? Not really. When referring to a person, we normally use 'who', not 'that'; however, 'that' is also correct.
- anonymous If "that's walking around with me" is changed to "who's walking around with me," does it make any difference in the meaning and/or nuance?
- Not really.
- When referring to a person, we normally use 'who', not 'that'; however, 'that' is also correct.
- The only very slight nuance that might come through for some people is that using 'that' takes away the personhood of the lady and objectifies her.
- But not everyone would take notice of that.
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anonymousIf "that's walking around with me" is changed to "who's walking around with me," does it make any difference in the meaning and/or nuance?
Not really. When referring to a person, we normally use 'who', not 'that'; however, 'that' is also correct.
The only very slight nuance that might come through for some people is that using 'that' takes a
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