1

What's the difference between these two sentences? Can we use that as a relative pronouns in this sentence? As I know read in books that who is better than that but I am not sure how to use that to connect two sentences together?

This is the man who was chasing me last night.
This is the man that was chasing me last night.

Improve this question
3
  • 1
    @CopperKettle Yes, but we also use that :-)
    – user230
    Commented Dec 19, 2015 at 8:59
  • I think there is no issue in using "that" ! With persons we also use whose and whom! :D
    – Cardinal
    Commented Dec 19, 2015 at 9:12
  • But "that"can also be used indeed.
    – I don't know who I am.
    Commented Dec 19, 2015 at 9:25

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

Both work, but that is informal.

When the relative clause is a defining one (the present case), you can use both. However if you have a non-defining relative clause, you can't use that. For instance,

This is the man, a robber, who was chasing me.
This is the man, a robber, that was chasing me.

Improve this answer
1
  • 3
    Hmm ... your principle is right, but your second example may be acceptable: putting the appositive a robber in there makes it is ambiguous whether a restrictive (defining) or non-restrictive (non-defining) clause is to be understood.
    – StoneyB on hiatus
    Commented Dec 19, 2015 at 12:37

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .