@Knorr It is not really something to beat yourself up over. A lot of grammar checkers fail in these areas. I honestly blame english. I am just really happy that we have improved LT.
Using Which, Who and That
This rule is not detected at all.
“Who” is used for people.
“Which” is used for things.
“That” can be used for either. ( One should avoid using “that” for people in formal writing. Acceptable in speech and informal writing.)
I think “that” should be highlighted in the case of a person and ask whether it is informal or formal writing.
The boy which stole the bike is at the door.
----->The boy who stole the bike is at the door.
The man which swam the channel.
-----> The man who swam the channel.
The vicar which was on BBC1 last night used to be our local vicar.
-----> The vicar who was on BBC1 last night used to be our local vicar. (A vicar is a person. Therefore, who should be used and not which.)
The PC who keeps breaking down is under guarantee until March.
---->The PC which keeps breaking down is under guarantee until March.
In Kent, a woman which shot a swan was jailed for 6 months.
---->In Kent, a woman who shot a swan was jailed for 6 months.
Please accept my resignation. I don’t want to belong to any club who will accept me as a member.
----->Please accept my resignation. I don’t want to belong to any club that will accept me as a member.
or
-----> Please accept my resignation. I don’t want to belong to any club which will accept me as a member.
When to use commas with who, which, and that:
This is the tricky part. Commas need to be added after the person if it is an add on of information. If you can put it in brackets, then use commas.
Example:
His youngest daughter, who was born on 16 June 1972, swam the channel.
His youngest daughter (,who was born on 16 June 1972,) swam the channel.
(who was born on 16 June 1972 is just additional information about His youngest daughter – commas required.)
The dog, which ate the cake, is back.
----->The dog which ate the cake is back.
My dog which doesn’t like cake is back.
----> My dog, which doesn’t like cake, is back.