who

§ What does 'who' mean and when do people use it?

The word who is a very common pronoun in English, and it’s used to refer to people. It helps us ask questions about people or provide more information about someone. Think of it as a pointer that says, “I’m talking about a person here!” It’s similar to how “what” refers to things or ideas, but who is specifically for humans.

There are two main ways we use who: in questions and in sentences that describe someone. Let's look at questions first.

DEFINITION

When you want to know which person or people are involved in something, you use who to ask. It helps you identify the person or people you are interested in.

In this example, you're asking about the identity of the person knocking on the door. You don't know them, and you want to find out who it is. Here’s another example:

Here, you're asking about which people among a group would like to go to the park. It’s a way to find out volunteers or people interested in an activity.

Now, let’s talk about using who to give more information about someone. This is called a relative pronoun. When who is used in this way, it connects a phrase that describes a person to the rest of the sentence.

DEFINITION

As a relative pronoun, who introduces a clause that gives more details about a person mentioned earlier in the sentence. It acts like a bridge between the person and the description.

In this sentence, “who won the prize” tells us more about “the student.” It specifies which student you are talking about. Without “who,” the sentence would be less clear or require more words to say the same thing. For instance, you might say, “She is the student. She won the prize.” Using who makes the sentence flow better.

Here, “who lives next door” identifies which man you are talking about. It’s not just any man, but specifically the one living next to you.

It’s important to note the difference between who and “whom.” While at an A2 level, you’ll primarily focus on who, it's good to be aware that “whom” is used when the person is the object of the verb or preposition. However, in everyday spoken English, people often use who even when “whom” would be grammatically correct, so don’t worry too much about “whom” at this stage.

In summary, who is a versatile word for talking about people. It's your go-to word for asking about individuals and for adding descriptive information about them. Mastering its use will greatly improve your ability to communicate clearly about people in English.

§ Understanding "Who" as a Pronoun

The word "who" is a versatile pronoun that can be used in several ways, primarily to refer to people. It's often used in questions, as a relative pronoun to introduce clauses, and sometimes in more formal or less common constructions. Understanding its different roles will help you use it correctly in your sentences.

§ "Who" in Questions (Interrogative Pronoun)

When "who" is used to ask a question, it's called an interrogative pronoun. It acts as the subject of the question, asking about the identity of a person or people.

GRAMMAR

In questions, "who" refers to the person performing the action or being described.

§ "Who" as a Relative Pronoun

"Who" can also be used to introduce a relative clause, which provides additional information about a noun (usually a person) mentioned earlier in the sentence. In this case, "who" acts as the subject of the relative clause.

GRAMMAR

As a relative pronoun, "who" refers back to a person and introduces a descriptive clause.

§ "Who" vs. "Whom"

This is a common point of confusion. While "who" acts as the subject of a verb, "whom" acts as the object of a verb or a preposition. In everyday speech, "whom" is often replaced by "who," especially in informal contexts. However, in more formal writing, using "whom" correctly is important.

• Use "who" when it is the subject of a verb: It performs the action.
• Use "whom" when it is the object of a verb or a preposition: It receives the action or follows a preposition.

GRAMMAR

Think of it this way: if you can replace the pronoun with "he" or "she," use "who." If you can replace it with "him" or "her," use "whom."

§ Prepositions with "Who" and "Whom"

When a preposition introduces "who" or "whom," the rule for "whom" becomes clearer. If the preposition directly precedes the pronoun, "whom" is almost always the correct choice in formal English.

GRAMMAR

A preposition (like to, for, with, about) takes an object. When that object is a pronoun referring to a person, it should be "whom" in formal contexts.

However, in informal speech, it's very common to end a sentence with a preposition and use "who":

§ Common Mistakes and Tips

• Avoid using "who" for non-human subjects: Always reserve "who" for people.
• Pay attention to sentence structure: If "who" is performing the action, it's likely correct. If it's receiving the action or is the object of a preposition, consider "whom" in formal contexts.

§ Who: What or Which Person or People

Definition

What or which person or people.

The word "who" is a fundamental pronoun in English, and you'll encounter it frequently in various contexts. It's used to ask about people, refer to people, or introduce clauses about people. Mastering its use is key to understanding and forming clear sentences.

§ In Everyday Conversations

In daily life, "who" is often used to ask questions about identity or to identify someone. It's a very common question word.

It can also be used to introduce a relative clause, adding more information about a person.

§ In Work and Professional Settings

In a work environment, "who" is essential for identifying colleagues, clients, or responsibilities. It helps in clarifying roles and communication.

It's also used in formal inquiries or when seeking information about personnel.

§ In Academic and School Environments

In schools and academic settings, "who" is crucial for discussions, assignments, and understanding historical or literary figures.

It also appears in group work and when referring to people involved in research or studies.

§ In News and Media

News reports frequently use "who" to introduce people involved in events, statements, or investigations. It's a vital part of reporting facts about individuals.

Journalists also use it to directly quote or reference individuals in their stories.

§ Understanding 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

While at the A2 level, you primarily focus on "who," it's good to be aware of "whom." "Who" is generally used as the subject of a verb (the one doing the action), while "whom" is used as the object of a verb or preposition (the one receiving the action).

• Who called you? (Who is the subject, performing the action of calling)

• To whom did you speak? (Whom is the object of the preposition 'to')

In informal English, "whom" is often replaced by "who," even when grammatically incorrect. However, in more formal writing and speech, especially in news or academic contexts, the distinction can still be observed.

§ Practice Tips

To improve your understanding and use of "who":

• Listen for "who" in conversations, movies, and news broadcasts. Pay attention to the role it plays in the sentence.

• Try to form your own questions and sentences using "who" when asking about people.

• Read simple articles and identify sentences that use "who" to describe people or introduce clauses about them.

By actively engaging with the word in these ways, you'll naturally become more comfortable and accurate in your use of "who" across various situations.

§ Understanding "Who" and its Relatives

The pronoun "who" is a fundamental word in English, used to ask about or refer to people. It's essential to understand its various roles and how it compares to similar words like "whom," "whose," "which," and "that." This section will help you navigate these often-confusing terms.

§ Who vs. Whom

One of the most common points of confusion is between "who" and "whom." The key difference lies in their grammatical function within a sentence. Think of it this way:

DEFINITION

Use who when it is the subject of a verb (performing the action).

DEFINITION

Use whom when it is the object of a verb or a preposition (receiving the action).

§ Who vs. Whose

While both relate to people, "who" and "whose" serve different grammatical purposes:

• Who: A subject pronoun (as discussed above) or an interrogative pronoun.
• Whose: A possessive pronoun, indicating ownership or association. It can refer to people, animals, or things.

§ Who vs. Which vs. That

These three words are all relative pronouns that introduce dependent clauses. However, they are used for different types of subjects:

• Who: Always refers to people.
• Which: Refers to animals or inanimate objects. It is typically used for non-essential clauses (information that isn't crucial to the meaning of the sentence).
• That: Can refer to people, animals, or inanimate objects. It is typically used for essential clauses (information that is crucial to the meaning of the sentence).

§ When to Prioritize "Who"

"Who" is your go-to pronoun when:

• You are asking a question about a person or people.
• You are introducing a relative clause that gives more information about a person or people, and that person is the subject of the verb in the clause.
• You want to maintain a more formal or traditional tone, especially in writing where the distinction between "who" and "whom" is still observed.

By understanding these distinctions, you can use "who" and its related pronouns more accurately and effectively in your English communication.