Team Which or Team Who or Team That? Understanding the Correct Usage

When it comes to referring to teams in writing, choosing between “who,” “which,” and “that” can be a tricky task. It’s a common grammatical confusion, but understanding the nuances behind each option can significantly improve your writing clarity and professionalism.

Whether you’re writing a business report, a blog post, or even an email, getting this right matters for your credibility and precision.

In this article, we’ll break down when to use “who,” “which,” and “that” in relation to teams, as well as common mistakes and helpful tips for making the right choice. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to make your writing shine with grammatically accurate, precise references to groups or teams.

The Basics: Understanding “Who,” “Which,” and “That”

Before diving into team references, it’s essential to understand the basic functions of “who,” “which,” and “that” in English grammar.

Defining the Pronouns

• “Who”: Used for people or animals with a name.
  
  • Example: “The team who won the game was ecstatic.”
    
• “Which”: Refers to things or groups, especially when adding extra information.
  
  • Example: “The team, which was founded in 2002, has grown tremendously.”
    
• “That”: Refers to both people and things in restrictive clauses, meaning the information is essential to the sentence.
  
  • Example: “The team that scored the most goals wins the trophy.”
    

These basic definitions will serve as your foundation for understanding when to use each one in relation to teams.

The Role of Pronouns in Sentences

Pronouns like “who,” “which,” and “that” serve an important purpose—they replace nouns (in this case, nouns related to teams or people) to avoid repetition and maintain sentence flow. Using the right one ensures that your meaning is clear and that you’re following grammar rules.

For example:

• Correct: “The team that worked hard won the prize.”
  
• Incorrect: “The team who worked hard won the prize.” (While some people may use “who” informally, “that” is grammatically correct in this restrictive clause.)
  

Now, let’s get into more specifics about when to use each pronoun when referring to a team.

When to Use “Who” for Teams

The Human Element: Referring to a Team of People

“Who” is used to refer to individuals or groups of people, which makes it ideal when referring to teams composed of people. Because teams are typically made up of individuals, “who” is the appropriate choice when the focus is on their actions, qualities, or achievements.

Example:
“The team who completed the project ahead of schedule was awarded a bonus.”
In this case, “who” highlights the team as a collective group of people. This phrasing emphasizes the individuals working together.

Exceptions to Consider

Though “who” is generally used for people, there can be some exceptions depending on how you view the team. For example, in sports, some people might mistakenly use “who” for a team as a whole. However, it’s important to note that when you’re referring to the team as a single unit, you might use “that” instead.

Example (sports):
“The team who scored the winning goal was celebrated.”
While this may sound natural in casual speech, technically, it’s more accurate to say:
“The team that scored the winning goal was celebrated.”
Sports teams, while composed of individuals, are often referred to as a singular entity, so “that” becomes more appropriate in restrictive clauses.

When to Use “Which” for Teams

Defining Non-Essential Information

“Which” is used to add extra information about something. This is ideal when referring to teams in non-restrictive clauses—those that don’t change the meaning of the sentence but simply add extra detail.

Example:
“The team, which was founded in 1990, is now one of the leading organizations in the industry.”
Here, “which” introduces additional information about the team, but the sentence would still be complete without it. The clause “which was founded in 1990” doesn’t restrict or define the team, it simply provides more context.

When to Use Commas

In sentences with “which,” always use commas before and after the clause. This sets it apart from the rest of the sentence and indicates that the information is supplementary rather than essential.

Example:
“The marketing team, which worked tirelessly on the campaign, exceeded expectations.”
Here, the information about the marketing team’s hard work is important but not essential to the sentence’s core meaning. Removing the clause still leaves the sentence grammatically correct: “The marketing team exceeded expectations.”

When to Use “That” for Teams

Defining the Team: Restrictive Clauses

“That” is used in restrictive clauses—those that provide essential information about the noun. In the case of teams, “that” refers to teams that are crucial to the meaning of the sentence, often in the context of actions or decisions that differentiate one team from another.

Example:
“The team that completed the task first will receive a reward.”
In this sentence, “that” introduces information that directly defines which team is being referred to. Without the clause, the sentence would lose meaning.

Clarifying with Essential Information

Using “that” ensures the reader understands which specific team is being discussed, especially when the team is central to the sentence.

Example:
“The team that was selected for the project had diverse expertise.”
Here, “that” clearly identifies which team is being discussed, as there may be multiple teams in the context of the sentence. Without “that,” the sentence would feel vague.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mixing Up “Which” and “That”

One of the most common mistakes in English is using “which” when “that” is the correct choice for restrictive clauses. It’s a subtle but significant distinction, and misusing them can lead to confusion.

Incorrect Example:
“The team which finished the race first was awarded a medal.”
Here, “which” should be replaced with “that” to create a restrictive clause:
“The team that finished the race first was awarded a medal.”

Overuse of “Who” for Things or Non-Human Entities

Another common mistake is using “who” for non-human entities, such as companies or teams in certain contexts. “Who” should always be used for people, not things.

Incorrect Example:
“The company who launched the new app is expanding.”
The correct usage is “that”:
“The company that launched the new app is expanding.”

Ambiguous Pronoun References

Sometimes, people misuse pronouns in a way that creates ambiguity. When it’s unclear which noun the pronoun is referring to, it can confuse the reader.

Example of Ambiguous Reference:
“The team worked hard, but they were not congratulated.”
It’s unclear whether “they” refers to the team or individuals within it. To fix this, you could clarify:
“The team worked hard, but the members were not congratulated.”

Contextual Tips: How to Choose the Correct Pronoun

Understanding the Team’s Role and Context

Before choosing “who,” “which,” or “that,” think about how you’re using the team in your sentence. Is the team the focus, or are you describing an additional characteristic or action? Understanding the context helps you make the right choice.

• If the team is the subject and you’re describing it in a non-essential way, use “which.”
  
• If the team is critical to the sentence’s meaning, use “that.”
  
• If you’re focusing on the individuals within the team, use “who.”
  

When in Doubt, Go with “That”

When you’re unsure, “that” is often a safe bet in formal writing. It’s used in essential clauses and avoids confusion, especially when the sentence would lose meaning without the clause.

Cultural and Industry Variations

Certain industries or settings may influence your choice of pronoun. For example, sports teams are often viewed as singular entities, so you might see “that” used even when referring to people.

Sports Example:
“The team that won the championship received a trophy.”
In business contexts, teams may also be referred to as singular entities, especially when discussing outcomes or collective achievements.

Conclusion

Understanding when to use “who,” “which,” and “that” in reference to teams is essential for clear, professional writing. These small pronouns can make a big difference in how your message is received. To recap:

• Use “who” when referring to a team made up of people, focusing on their actions or qualities.
• Use “which” for adding extra, non-essential information about a team.
• Use “that” for essential clauses, especially when defining or specifying a team.