5 Clever Tricks: Company Who Or Company That?

When navigating the grammatical nuances of referring to a company, you might have found yourself pondering whether to use "Company who" or "Company that". It seems straightforward, but the subtleties in English language usage can make a significant difference in clarity and professionalism. Here, we'll delve into the distinctions, offering you guidance on when and how to use each option effectively.

Understanding "Who" and "That"

"Who" for Personal Entities

The word "who" is traditionally used to refer to individuals or groups of people. When you're speaking of a company in terms of its collective human element or its management, "who" becomes appropriate. Here's why:

• Personification: Companies, when personified, embody the people who operate them, their decisions, and the vision they uphold.

• Human Decision-Making: When focusing on the human decision-making or cultural aspects of a company, "who" captures this aspect more effectively.

"That" for Inanimate Objects

"That" is used for non-human or inanimate objects. If you're discussing the company as an entity, its products, or policies, "that" is the better choice:

• Corporate Entity: Companies, legally, are considered entities separate from their owners or employees. Therefore, referring to them with "that" highlights this legal perspective.

• Operational Aspects: When you're talking about what the company does, produces, or its operational facets, "that" fits perfectly.

Practical Usage Examples

To illustrate, consider these examples:

• "The tech company who developed this app are creative and forward-thinking." Here, the focus is on the human creativity behind the product.

• "The tech company that developed this app has seen rapid growth." This sentence focuses on the entity itself.

When to Use "Who" for Companies:

• When highlighting the human team, culture, or decision-making aspect of a company:

- **Discussing leadership**: "The company **who** made this decision..."

- **Tackling cultural aspects**: "The company **who** values work-life balance..."

- **Highlighting actions of key personnel**: "The company **who** went public last year..."

When to Use "That" for Companies:

• When focusing on the entity, products, or operational details:

- **General facts**: "The company **that** was founded in 2001..."

- **Product-related details**: "The company **that** launched the new model..."

- **Non-personal traits**: "The company **that** went bankrupt..."

Troubleshooting Common Mistakes

Here are some common errors to avoid when choosing between "who" and "that":

• Treating companies as singular: Don’t use "who" unless you're directly personifying the company.

• Over-personification: While "who" can be used, overdoing it can diminish the formal, corporate tone you might want to convey.

<p class="pro-note">🔥 Pro Tip: Remember that the choice between "who" and "that" can subtly change the focus of your sentence, enhancing both clarity and effectiveness in communication.</p>

Wrapping Up

In summary, "company who" and "company that" have their uses, each highlighting different aspects of a business. Here are the key points to remember:

• Use "who" when emphasizing the people behind the company or their decisions.

• Use "that" for factual, non-personal references to the company as an entity.

Now that you're armed with this knowledge, why not explore more related topics? Our tutorials on [link to related tutorials] can further enhance your understanding of corporate communication and grammar rules.

<p class="pro-note">🔥 Pro Tip: Stay flexible in your usage; sometimes, the same company can be referred to using both "who" and "that" depending on context.</p>

<div class="faq-section"> <div class="faq-container"> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Can "who" and "that" be used interchangeably for companies?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>No, not always. "Who" should be used when referring to the people or decision-makers in a company, while "that" is better suited for references to the company as a legal entity or its actions.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Why does it matter which word I use?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Choosing the right word can provide clarity to your audience about the focus of your statement, whether it's on the company's actions, its personnel, or its products.</p> </div> </div> <div class="faq-item"> <div class="faq-question"> <h3>Should I always use "that" for corporations?</h3> <span class="faq-toggle">+</span> </div> <div class="faq-answer"> <p>Not necessarily. Use "that" for factual references, but feel free to use "who" when you're talking about the human elements of the company.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>