Who

Definition

'Who' is a pronoun used to inquire about the identity of a person or people. It serves as a crucial element in forming questions and can also function as a relative pronoun in complex sentences, connecting clauses and providing additional information about a subject. Its use is fundamental in both spoken and written communication to clarify, specify, and establish relationships between individuals and actions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. 'Who' can be used to start direct questions, such as 'Who is coming to dinner?'.
2. 'Who' is often confused with 'whom', but it is important to use 'who' when referring to the subject of a clause.
3. 'Who' can also function as a relative pronoun, as in 'The person who called you is waiting outside.'
4. 'Who' helps clarify sentences by specifying which person or people are being talked about.
5. In informal speech, many people may use 'who' in situations where 'whom' would be grammatically correct, although this is generally considered incorrect.

Review Questions

• How does the use of 'who' differ when forming questions compared to its use in relative clauses?
  • 'Who' is utilized at the beginning of questions to ask about someone's identity, such as 'Who is that?' In contrast, when used in relative clauses, 'who' connects a clause to a noun previously mentioned, as seen in 'The teacher who assigned homework is nice.' This dual function showcases the versatility of 'who' in English grammar.
• What are the grammatical rules for using 'who' versus 'whom', and why is it important to distinguish between them?
  • 'Who' should be used as the subject of a verb, while 'whom' is reserved for the object of a verb or preposition. For example, one would say 'Who is responsible?' (subject) but 'To whom should I give this?' (object). Understanding this distinction enhances clarity in writing and speaking, helping to avoid confusion and ensuring grammatical accuracy.
• Evaluate the impact of using 'who' incorrectly in formal writing and how it affects the reader's perception of the text.
  • Using 'who' incorrectly instead of 'whom' in formal writing can lead to perceived carelessness or lack of attention to detail by the writer. This misuse may distract readers from the content of the text and diminish their confidence in the writer's expertise or credibility. Moreover, consistently misusing these pronouns can result in ambiguity, making it difficult for readers to understand who or what is being referred to, ultimately affecting the overall effectiveness and professionalism of the writing.

Related terms

Whom: 'Whom' is the objective form of 'who', used when referring to the object of a verb or preposition.

Whoever: 'Whoever' is an indefinite pronoun that refers to any person or people without specificity, often used in clauses.

Subject Pronouns: 'Subject pronouns' are pronouns that perform the action of the verb in a sentence, of which 'who' is a key example.