Who's

Definition

Who's is a contraction of 'who is' or 'who has', commonly used in informal writing and speech. Understanding the use of who's is crucial for distinguishing it from other similar contractions, especially in contexts where clarity in communication is important.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Who's is often used in both written and spoken English to save time and create a more casual tone.
2. It's important to use who's correctly to avoid confusion, especially in formal writing where clarity is essential.
3. 'Who's coming to the party?' is an example of how who's is used to ask about someone's attendance.
4. Misusing who's in place of whose can lead to misunderstandings and reflects poorly on one's grammar skills.
5. In contractions like who's, the apostrophe indicates that letters have been omitted, which is an essential aspect of proper punctuation.

Review Questions

• How can the contraction 'who's' change the meaning of a sentence?
  • 'Who's' can significantly alter a sentence's meaning by indicating an inquiry about identity or action. For instance, in 'Who's going to the meeting?', it asks for information about attendees. In contrast, using 'whose' instead would imply a question about ownership, such as 'Whose book is this?', which completely shifts the focus from identity to possession.
• What are some common mistakes people make when using 'who's' and how can these mistakes be avoided?
  • A frequent mistake is confusing 'who's' with 'whose'. To avoid this, one should remember that 'who's' means 'who is' or 'who has', while 'whose' indicates possession. A simple trick is to substitute 'who is' in your sentence; if it fits, then 'who's' is correct. Practicing this differentiation through writing exercises can also help solidify understanding.
• Evaluate the impact of using contractions like 'who's' on formal writing and suggest alternatives.
  • Using contractions like 'who's' in formal writing can diminish professionalism and clarity. In academic or business contexts, it’s better to use the full forms, such as 'who is' or 'who has', to convey a more serious tone. This approach not only enhances clarity but also helps maintain an authoritative voice that is often required in formal communication, making it essential to adapt language based on audience and purpose.

Related terms

who: A pronoun used to ask questions about a person or to refer to someone previously mentioned.

whose:

A possessive pronoun used to indicate ownership or belonging, referring to the person who owns something.

who's versus whose: A common confusion between 'who's' and 'whose', highlighting the difference between the contraction for 'who is' and the possessive form.