Posted on 11/13/2025 6:20:42 AM PST by fuzzylogic
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Where does it say both are grammatically correct? We have butchered a lot of words and phrases over time. Indeed, “a lot” is correct, “alot” isn’t. Until a few years ago, “alright” wasn’t even in the dictionary. People misuse “then” and “than” all the time. The word “decimate” used to mean “destroy every tenth item”, but people use it now to mean “totally destroy”. We’ve so eroded its use that the dictionary now says it’s acceptable. I find that sad. I’ve seen “penultimate” where they really meant “Ultimate”. If you think words don’t matter, let’s enter a contract for a million dollars and, after you’ve signed it, let me change just a single word in the contract. Have we become so lazy that we can’t put the proper space in “alot”? When a person misuses “than” and “then”, what perception of themself are they sending to people who hear them speak? Sloppy use of English probably doesn’t help during a job interview, either. No, I’m not the grammar police writing tickets to those who speak poorly. My guess is that many of them are not even aware of the misuse. I simply pointed it out to those who wish to improve their English. Everyone else is free to ignore it.
I’ve been guilty of correcting people a few times; but I’ve found it’s more useful and goes over better if done in private - and without the snark of comments like, ‘Learn how to write’.
Chicago Manual of Style, 14th edition, to start.
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage (1989): “The notion that that should not be used to refer to persons is without foundation; such use is entirely standard.” It traces the interchangeability back centuries and deems both correct in standard English.
Garner’s Modern English Usage (5th Edition, 2022): Classifies the restriction against “that” for people as a “skunked term” (a debated usage in flux), but affirms both are valid, with “who” more formal.
I was distracted during it. From reading this thread apparently there was singing or something going on.
It’s certainly rude to do it so quickly and not even be correct - completely unnecessary.
Comments are not essays. I’ve many aspects of my life that need full attention, having 100% correct English isn’t one of them. I’m hardly terrible either.
Easy rule: “That” is used with objects, “who” is used with human(s). There are exceptions, but this one is correct most of the time.
So it's okay to be sloppy in comments but not essays? Why not both?
Except that is not the rule.
"Standard", as it is used here, simply means we have debased it for such a long time, it's okay to ignore it. I don't think it should be ignored.
Garner’s Modern English Usage (5th Edition, 2022): Classifies the restriction against “that” for people as a “skunked term” (a debated usage in flux), but affirms both are valid, with “who” more formal.
If "that" is used to refer to people and it is a "skunked term", why not use the "non-skunked" form?
It was just meant as a quick way to remember it. What is the “rule”?
Either is fine.
Unless you are somehow in England, 50 years ago, writing a formal document.
The 'BBC STILL SHITE' sign in the background @1:49.
Pretty impressive, though, what anyone with a decent PC can turn out with AI CGI.
For crying out loud, a wall of text because you might have possibly been a shade incorrect? Quit hijacking the thread. It’s supposed to be about the BBC bosses resigning over their false claims about Trump, resulting in the common folks lodging humorous AI-aided complaints about how much they’re paying for an unreliable medium.
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