Definition of “Who”
“Who” is an interrogative pronoun and a relative pronoun in the English language. It is used to refer to people and is commonly employed to ask questions about the identity of a person or group of people, as well as to introduce clauses that provide additional information about a person.
Uses of “Who”
1. Asking Questions About Identity
“Who” is primarily used in questions to ask about the identity of someone. It helps gather information about a person’s name, role, or position.
- Examples:
- “Who is that?”
- “Who called you earlier?”
- “Who are they talking about?”
2. Introducing Relative Clauses
“Who” can also be used as a relative pronoun to introduce a clause that provides more information about a person or people. In this usage, “who” refers back to a person mentioned earlier in the sentence.
- Examples:
- “The teacher who gave the lecture is brilliant.”
- “I have a friend who lives in New York.”
- “She is the person who helped me with my project.”
3. Used in Formal and Informal Contexts
“Who” is used in both formal and informal language to refer to individuals in questions and statements, making it a versatile pronoun.
- Examples:
- “Who is the manager here?” (formal)
- “Who wants pizza?” (informal)
4. “Who” in Exclamatory Sentences
In some cases, “who” can be used in exclamatory sentences to emphasize surprise or disbelief regarding a person’s identity or actions.
- Examples:
- “Who would have thought that he could win?”
- “Who knew she could sing so well?”
Grammatical Role of “Who”
1. Interrogative Pronoun
As an interrogative pronoun, “who” is used to ask questions about people. It appears at the beginning of a question and refers to the subject or object of the sentence.
- Examples:
- “Who is coming to the party?”
- “Who did you talk to?”
2. Relative Pronoun
As a relative pronoun, “who” introduces relative clauses that describe or provide more details about a person. It acts as the subject or object of the relative clause.
- Examples:
- “The man who fixed my car was very helpful.”
- “I know someone who can help with the project.”
3. Subject vs. Object
When “who” is used as a subject, it refers to the person doing the action in the sentence. When it is used as an object, it refers to the person receiving the action. In informal speech, “who” is sometimes used as an object pronoun, although the grammatically correct object form is “whom.”
- Subject: “Who is going to the meeting?”
- Object: “Who did you invite to the meeting?” (informal, instead of “Whom did you invite?”)
Differences Between “Who” and “Whom”
While “who” is used as the subject of a sentence or clause, “whom” is used as the object of a verb or preposition. In everyday conversation, “whom” is less commonly used, and “who” often replaces it in informal contexts, but in formal writing, the distinction remains important.
- Examples:
- “Who is coming to the dinner?” (subject)
- “Whom did you see at the dinner?” (object of the verb “see”)
- “To whom did you send the letter?” (object of the preposition “to”)
Common Phrases with “Who”
1. “Who’s who”
This phrase refers to a list of important or influential people in a specific group, organization, or community. It can also be used more broadly to describe learning about the identities of key individuals.
- Examples:
- “The event was attended by the who’s who of the tech industry.”
- “I need to figure out who’s who in this company.”
2. “Who knows?”
This phrase is used to express uncertainty or lack of knowledge about a situation, often when the speaker doesn’t expect an answer.
- Examples:
- “Who knows what will happen next?”
- “Who knows why he decided to leave the job?”
3. “Who’s in charge?”
This question is used to determine the leader or person responsible in a situation.
- Examples:
- “Who’s in charge of the project?”
- “Do you know who’s in charge here?”
Common Mistakes with “Who”
1. Confusing “Who” with “Whom”
As mentioned earlier, a common mistake is using “who” where “whom” should be used. Remember, “who” is used as the subject, and “whom” is used as the object. However, in casual conversation, this distinction is often overlooked.
- Incorrect: “Who did you speak with?”
- Correct (formal): “Whom did you speak with?”
2. Using “Who” for Non-Human Subjects
“Who” is used for people, not for things or animals (unless they are personified). The relative pronoun “which” or “that” should be used for objects or animals.
- Incorrect: “The car who broke down is mine.”
- Correct: “The car that broke down is mine.”
Importance of “Who” in Communication
“Who” is a fundamental part of English grammar, allowing us to ask about and explain identity and relationships between people. It is used in both questions and statements to clarify who is doing something or who someone is. Mastering the use of “who” helps improve the accuracy and clarity of both spoken and written communication, particularly when referring to people.
Understanding the difference between “who” and “whom” can enhance formal writing and ensure grammatical correctness, although in everyday speech, “who” is generally acceptable for both roles.
Conclusion
“Who” is an essential interrogative and relative pronoun used to refer to people, ask questions about identity, and introduce clauses that describe or explain more about individuals. It plays a critical role in English grammar, helping speakers and writers ask questions, provide information, and clarify relationships between people. By understanding when and how to use “who” correctly, especially in relation to “whom,” speakers can improve both their formal and informal communication.