One would never guess the usage of "that" would cause so much consternation on this List. Hopefully, we can end this debate with a simple look-up in the dictionary.  Here you go:  http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/that --- On Wed, 2/20/13, Craig Kilby <persisto1@gmail.com> wrote: From: Craig Kilby <persisto1@gmail.com> Subject: [VA-NORTHERN-NECK] That/Who/Which/Whom To: va-northern-neck@rootsweb.com Date: Wednesday, February 20, 2013, 8:04 PM I think you meant to say "I believeTHAT  "that" is grammatically acceptable..." two "thats" there. (Try saying that if you are not a native English speaker). I still agree with Don, "who" is just as appropriate as "that" when saying "the family THAT / WHO married into the Smith family..." 1. Who hit the ball? 2. To whom was the ball hit? Would you say "That hit the ball?" No, That is not a personal pronoun and there is no subject to the sentence. Would you say "To that was the ball hit?" No, there is no direct object pronoun and again no subject to the sentence. Oh, I can't wait for Katherine Much to weigh in here, our Editor in Chief. Come on, Good Book Doctor! Craig

Let's give it a rest. This list has been on seriously ridiculous mode all day. I am as guilty as the next one. On Feb 20, 2013, at 9:47 PM, DAVID BROWN wrote: > One would never guess the usage of "that" would cause so much consternation on this List. Hopefully, we can end this debate with a simple look-up in the dictionary. Here you go: > http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/that