Learn English – Should I use “who” or “that” when referring to an organisation

word-choice

I generally use the rule of thumb of using who when referring to a person and that when referring to an object. Example:

Jim is someone who makes me smile.
I was nearly knocked out by the ball that hit me.

But what about when we're talking about an organisation?

I am forever indebted to the charities who helped me.
I am forever indebted to the charities that helped me.

The former seems somewhat warmer, if that makes sense, although the latter feels more correct. What should I use? And how about this:

I'm really happy with the insurance company who helped me with my claim.
I can't stand them, they're the insurance company that ripped me off.

To me the former evokes a team of helpful people while the latter evokes a cold heartless corporate entity. Is this just a matter of style and so should go with my instincts, or should I aim for what is 'correct?'

Best Answer

I couldn't find an authoritative source, but I found several items that touched on the question. The basic differential is that "who" refers strictly to people, and "that" can refer only to anything else:

She is the woman who raised me

not

She is the woman that raised me

Conversely,

There is the school that educated me

and not

There is the school who educated me.

The conflict arises here because you're using these companies anthropomorphically - you're happy with them, you're indebted to them. In reality, you're happy with the people AT the companies / charities, not the companies / charities themselves.

So I would go with

I am forever indebted to the charities that helped me.

or

I am forever indebted to the people who helped me

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