Who vs. Whose — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 16, 2024
"Who" is a pronoun used to refer to the subject of a sentence, while "whose" is a possessive pronoun used to indicate ownership or relationship.
Difference Between Who and Whose
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Who" is a pronoun that refers to the subject performing an action in a sentence. It is used to ask questions about or identify people. For example, "Who is coming to the party?" or "She is the one who called you." "Whose," on the other hand, is a possessive pronoun used to show that something belongs to someone. It asks questions about ownership or association. For instance, "Whose book is this?" or "She is the person whose idea we implemented."
While both "who" and "whose" are related to people, "who" focuses on the person performing an action, and "whose" focuses on possession or association with something.
Comparison Chart
Function
Subject pronoun
Possessive pronoun
Usage
Refers to the subject of a sentence
Indicates ownership or relationship
Example Question
"Who is that?"
"Whose book is this?"
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Example Statement
"She is the one who called."
"He is the student whose project won."
Context
Identifying or asking about people
Asking about or indicating possession
Compare with Definitions
Who
A pronoun used to refer to the subject of a verb.
Who is responsible for this decision?
Whose
A possessive pronoun used to indicate ownership or relationship.
Whose coat is this?
Who
A relative pronoun introducing a clause giving more information about a person.
The doctor who treated me was very kind.
Whose
Used to show possession or association in questions or statements.
The student whose homework is late must see me after class.
Who
Used in questions to identify someone.
Who was at the door?
Whose
A relative pronoun introducing a clause giving more information about possession.
The author whose book I read will be speaking today.
Who
Used to introduce a clause that describes the subject.
She’s the teacher who inspired me.
Whose
Indicates to whom something belongs or is associated with.
She is the person whose opinion I value most.
Who
Refers to the subject performing an action in a sentence.
Who made this delicious cake?
Whose
Belonging to or associated with which person
A Mini was parked at the kerb and Juliet wondered whose it was
Whose round is it?
Who
What or which person or people
I wonder who that letter was from
Who is that woman?
Whose
Of whom or which (used to indicate that the following noun belongs to or is associated with the person or thing mentioned in the previous clause)
A willow tree whose branches reached right to the ground
He's a man whose opinion I respect
Who
Used to introduce a clause giving further information about a person or people previously mentioned
Joan Fontaine plays the mouse who married the playboy
Whose
Belonging to or associated with which person
A Mini was parked at the kerb and Juliet wondered whose it was
Whose round is it?
Who
(interrogative) What person or people; which person or people; asks for the identity of someone; used in a direct or indirect question.
Who is that? (direct question)
I don't know who it is. (indirect question)
Whose
Of whom or which (used to indicate that the following noun belongs to or is associated with the person or thing mentioned in the previous clause)
He's a man whose opinion I respect
A willow tree whose branches reached right to the ground
Who
(relative) Introduces a relative clause having a human antecedent.
Whose
The possessive form of who.
Who
With antecedent as subject.
That's the man who works at the newsagent. (defining)
My sister, who works in the accounts department, just got promoted to manager. (non-defining)
Whose
The possessive form of which.
Who
(non-formal) With antecedent as object: whom.
Whose
(interrogative) Of whom, belonging to whom; which person's or people's.
Whose wallet is this?
Who
Whoever, he who, they who.
Who insults my mother insults me.
Whose
(relative) Of whom, belonging to whom.
Venus, whose sister Serena is, won the latest championship.
Who
A person under discussion; a question of which person.
Whose
(relative) Of which, belonging to which.
Who
Whose
Who phone just rang?
Whose
(interrogative) That or those of whom or belonging to whom.
Several people have lost their suitcases. Whose have you found?
Who
One; any; one.
As who should say, it were a very dangerous matter if a man in any point should be found wiser than his forefathers were.
Whose
(relative) That or those of whom or belonging to whom.
This car is blocking the way, but Mr Smith, whose it is, will be here shortly.
Who
A United Nations agency to coordinate international health activities and to help governments improve health services
Whose
The possessive case of who or which. See Who, and Which.
Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee.
The question whose solution I require.
Whose
Used to ask questions about ownership.
Whose idea was that?
Common Curiosities
How is "who" used in a sentence?
"Who is coming to the meeting?" or "The person who answered the phone was helpful."
What does "whose" mean?
"Whose" is a possessive pronoun used to indicate ownership or relationship.
How is "whose" used in a sentence?
"Whose car is parked outside?" or "She is the artist whose work is on display."
Can "whose" be used in relative clauses?
Yes, "whose" is often used in relative clauses to indicate possession. For example, "The woman whose dog is missing is very upset."
Is "whose" used for singular and plural?
Yes, "whose" can be used for both singular and plural possessive. For example, "Whose idea was this?" (singular) and "Whose children are these?" (plural).
Can "whose" refer to things as well as people?
Yes, "whose" can refer to both people and things in the context of possession. For example, "The book whose cover is torn."
Can "who" be used in statements?
Yes, "who" can be used in both questions and statements. For example, "She knows who will be attending."
Can "who" be used to ask about possession?
No, "who" is used to ask about the subject of an action. "Whose" is used for possession.
What does "who" mean?
"Who" is a pronoun used to refer to the subject of a sentence or clause.
Is "who" only used for people?
Yes, "who" is typically used to refer to people, not objects or animals.
What is the role of "who" in a sentence?
"Who" acts as the subject performing an action.
Is "who" a subject or object pronoun?
"Who" is a subject pronoun.
Is "whose" a subject or possessive pronoun?
"Whose" is a possessive pronoun.
Can "whose" be used in statements?
Yes, "whose" is often used in statements to show possession. For example, "The teacher whose class was canceled is available now."
What is the role of "whose" in a sentence?
"Whose" indicates possession or association with the subject.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
