Syntax: Subject-Pronoun Agreement (Who/That/It/Their)

Would you refer to a corporation that had abdicated its duties to the public? Or would this be a company which abdicated their duties?

Relative Pronouns:

• Who: Use “who” when referring to a PERSON: “She was an individual who advocated vociferously for free speech.”
• That/Which: Use “that” or “which” when referring to GROUPS, ANIMALS, THINGS, or ENTITIES (mnemonic: GATE, which is a THING): “This was a company that didn’t care about the bridges it burnt.”
  • Rules for That/Which: For an explanation on when to use “that” vs “which,” please review this lesson.

Rule: If referring to a PERSON, use “who”; otherwise, use “that” or “which” depending on if the clause it introduces is essential.

Possessive Pronouns:

• His/Her: When referring to a specific PERSON, use his or her: “Her class schedule was set last Friday.”
• Their: When referring to a GROUP of individuals, use their: “Their teacher was a real stickler.”
• Its: When referring to ENTITIES—like a company, country, court, or government—use its: “The government has failed to carry its burden of persuasion.”

Rule: If referring to a PERSON, use “his/her”; if referring to a GROUP, use “their”; if referring to an ENTITY, use “its.”

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