Key Difference

• “Who” is generally used to refer to people (or sometimes animals, especially when they are thought of as individuals with personalities or importance).
• “Which” is used to refer to things, objects, or animals when they are not personified.

1. When to Use “Who”

Use “who” when referring to an animal that:

• Is a pet or beloved animal with a personality.
• Is being described as if it has human-like qualities.

Examples:

• “My dog, who loves playing fetch, is always excited to go to the park.” 🐕
  (Here, the dog is treated like a family member.)
• “The cat, who thinks she owns the house, refused to move from my chair.” 🐈

2. When to Use “Which”

Use “which” for animals:

• In general references, such as wild or non-pet animals.
• When the animal is not personified or regarded emotionally.

Examples:

• “The birds, which migrate every winter, have already left the area.” 🦜
• “The zoo has a new lion, which is part of their conservation program.” 🦁

A Helpful Analogy

Think of “who” as more personal and emotional (like you’d use for a friend or family). In contrast, “which” is neutral and descriptive, used when the animal is seen more objectively.

Common Exceptions

• In formal or scientific writing, “which” is preferred for animals, even pets.
  Example: “The dog, which belongs to my neighbor, barks at night.”
• Some people always use “which” for animals, avoiding “who” entirely for simplicity.

Practice Time!

Decide whether “who” or “which” fits in these sentences:

1. The elephant, ________ is the largest land animal, is native to Africa and Asia.
2. My parrot, ________ loves mimicking my voice, is a great companion.
3. The foxes, ________ are nocturnal, were spotted near the forest.
4. My hamster, ________ enjoys running on the wheel, is very active at night.

Answers:

1. which
2. who
3. which
4. who