Question

I am writing a paper for an MLA seminar, and I am wondering which pronoun to use in this sentence:

The researchers concluded that the children ____ had eaten breakfast performed better on the test.

Do I use “that” or “who”?

Answer

“That” is for things or concepts. When referring to a person or people, always use “who.” Using “who” to refer to people makes the writing more graceful, and it also results in more humanist writing. Every person is a “who,” regardless of our differences. Use “who” for people; change the world!