Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'whose' to replace possessive adjectives like 'his', 'her', or 'their' when connecting two sentences about ownership.
- Replace possessive words (his/her/its/their) with 'whose'. Example: 'The man whose car broke down.'
- Always place 'whose' immediately before the noun it possesses. Example: 'Whose + house'.
- Use it for both people and things to sound more natural. Example: 'A company whose profits grew.'
Overview
This is Sarah. Her dog is famous.라고 할 수 있지.
whose가 네 사회생활을 구원해 줄 거야.How This Grammar Works
whose는 소유격 관계대명사야.who의 소유격 버전이지.his, her, its, their 같은 단어들을 바꿔치기하는 거지.'s도 대신해 줘.- 1
I have a boss.
(나한테 상사가 있어.) - 2"The boss's car is always parked illegally." (그 상사의 차는 항상 불법 주차되어 있어.)
I have a boss whose car is always parked illegally.
Formation Pattern
whose를 붙여.
whose 바로 뒤에 두 번째 명사(소유물/사람)를 넣어.
Owner + whose + Owned Item/Person + Information
The YouTuber whose videos I watch is very funny.
whose와 소유물 사이에 the나 a가 들어가지 않는다는 걸 꼭 기억해.
whose the dog이 아니라 그냥 whose dog이야.
When To Use It
He’s the guy whose laptop has all those weird stickers. (저 남자가 노트북에 이상한 스티커 다닥다닥 붙은 걔야.)I use an app whose notifications are actually helpful. (난 알림이 진짜 도움이 되는 앱을 써.)I once worked for a manager whose leadership style was very inspiring. (저는 리더십 스타일이 매우 영감을 주었던 매니저 밑에서 일한 적이 있습니다.)whose dance I'm trying to learn." (내가 춤을 배우려고 하는 그 크리에이터.)That’s the cat whose meow sounds like a human screaming. (저 고양이가 바로 울음소리가 사람 비명처럼 들리는 걔야.)whose hearts you broke) 리스트를 읊는 데는 쓰지 마.
Common Mistakes
whose와 who’s를 헷갈리는 거야.Who’s는 who is나 who has의 줄임말이야.Whose는 오직 소유만을 나타내.whose 뒤에 관사를 붙이는 거야.The girl whose the car is red라고 하지 마.The girl whose car is red라고 하면 돼.whose 바로 뒤에는 반드시 명사가 와야 한다는 걸 잊지 마.The man whose is tall은 전혀 말이 안 돼.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
of which를 써야 하지 않냐고 궁금해할 수도 있어.whose가 사람한테만 쓰인다고 가르치기도 하지.The car, the color of which is blue라고 말하라고 할 거야.
Of which는 엄청나게 격식 차리는 표현이라 빅토리아 시대 소설 같은 느낌을 주거든.whose를 써도 전혀 상관없어.The house whose roof is leaking이 훨씬 자연스러워.which와도 비교해 보자.Which는 소유주가 아니라 그 물건 자체에 대한 정보를 더해줘.The car which is fast (빠른 차) vs The car whose driver is fast (운전자가 빠른 차).Quick FAQ
복수 소유자에게도 whose를 쓸 수 있어?
응! their 대신 쓸 수 있어.
The students whose grades improved.
성별에 따라 변해?
아니. 남자, 여자, 논바이너리, 사물 모두 똑같아.
격식 있는 이메일에 써도 돼?
당연하지. 글을 아주 간결하고 체계적으로 보이게 해 줘.
의문문에서도 쓸 수 있어?
응, 하지만 그건 규칙이 살짝 달라 (Whose phone is this?).
항상 앞에 쉼표를 써야 해?
그 정보가 그 사람을 식별하는 데 꼭 필요한 게 아니라 추가적인 정보일 때만 쉼표를 써.
회사에도 쓸 수 있어?
응,
The company whose CEO just resigned.
노래 가사에도 자주 나와?
아주 많이! 작사가들이 시적인 묘사를 할 때 정말 좋아해.
추상적인 개념에도 쓸 수 있어?
응,
A theory whose time has come.
소유자를 모를 때는 어떡해?
The owner of the dog처럼 다른 구조를 사용해 봐.
영국 영어랑 미국 영어 중 어디서 더 많이 써?
둘 다 똑같이 자주 쓰이고 사용법도 같아.
Using 'Whose' to Replace Possessives
| Original Possessive | Relative Pronoun | Example Phrase | Full Clause |
|---|---|---|---|
|
his
|
whose
|
whose car
|
The man whose car is fast...
|
|
her
|
whose
|
whose sister
|
The girl whose sister is a doctor...
|
|
its
|
whose
|
whose roof
|
The house whose roof is red...
|
|
their
|
whose
|
whose parents
|
The kids whose parents are away...
|
|
John's
|
whose
|
whose phone
|
John, whose phone is broken...
|
|
the company's
|
whose
|
whose logo
|
The company whose logo is blue...
|
Meanings
A relative pronoun used to indicate that the following noun belongs to or is associated with the person or thing mentioned previously.
Human Possession
Used to show that a person owns something or has a relationship with someone.
“The woman whose bag was stolen called the police.”
Inanimate Possession
Used to describe parts or attributes of objects, organizations, or abstract concepts.
“It is a book whose ending is very surprising.”
Defining Relationships
Used to identify a specific person by mentioning their family or connections.
“The students whose parents are here may leave early.”
Reference Table
| 기능 | 구조 | 예시 (사람) | 예시 (사물) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
소유격 관계대명사
|
명사 + whose + 명사 + 동사...
|
The student whose project won...
|
The book whose cover is torn...
|
|
소유격 대체
|
'his', 'her', 'its', 'their' 대체
|
She's the girl whose brother lives abroad.
|
It's the company whose profits grew.
|
|
제한적 용법
|
명확성을 위한 필수 정보
|
I saw the man whose dog barked loudly.
|
We visited the town whose castle was famous.
|
|
뒤에 관사 없음
|
'a', 'an', 'the' 사용 금지
|
He's the friend whose advice I trust.
|
This is the car whose engine failed.
|
|
유연한 사용
|
사람, 동물, 사물 모두
|
The vet whose clinic is new...
|
The website whose design is modern...
|
|
흔한 실수
|
'who's' 아님
|
Who's going? vs. The person whose name...
|
Who's going? vs. The person whose name...
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
The individual whose vehicle was obstructing the entrance has been notified. (Parking situation)
The man whose car was blocking the driveway has moved it. (Parking situation)
The guy whose car was in the way finally moved. (Parking situation)
The dude whose ride was blocking us finally cleared out. (Parking situation)
Whose 소유격 사용법
기능
- 소유 Ownership
- 절 연결 Links ideas smoothly
지칭 대상
- 사람 Individuals
- 동물 Pets, wildlife
- 사물, 개념 Objects, concepts
구조
- Noun + Whose + Noun e.g., student whose project
- 뒤에 관사 없음 Not 'whose the project'
피해야 할 것
- Who's Who is/has
- 어색한 표현 e.g., 'a student and her project'
Whose vs. Who's 비교
'Whose'가 올바른 단어인가요?
소유를 나타내고 싶으신가요?
소유된 항목이 대명사 바로 뒤에 오나요?
문법적으로 완전하고 명확한 문장인가요?
'Whose'를 사용하세요.
Whose 사용 시기
사람
- • The friend whose car...
- • The professor whose lecture...
- • The student whose essay...
동물
- • The dog whose bark...
- • The cat whose fur...
- • The bird whose nest...
사물/개념
- • The book whose cover...
- • The company whose profits...
- • The theory whose origin...
수준별 예문
The boy whose dog is big is my friend.
I like the girl whose hair is long.
The man whose car is red is here.
A teacher whose class is fun is good.
I have a neighbor whose cat always sleeps on my porch.
The woman whose phone rang was embarrassed.
Do you know the family whose house is on the corner?
The student whose book is lost is crying.
We visited a museum whose collection includes ancient gold.
The company, whose headquarters are in London, is hiring.
I met a writer whose latest novel is a bestseller.
The athlete whose career ended early became a coach.
It was a decision whose consequences were not yet clear.
The professor, whose research I admire, gave a lecture today.
They live in a city whose history dates back to the Romans.
The software, whose interface is very intuitive, is free to download.
He is a philosopher whose theories have shaped modern thought.
The project, whose primary objective is sustainability, received funding.
She is an artist whose work defies easy categorization.
The treaty, whose signatories include twenty nations, was signed yesterday.
The poem, whose rhythmic cadences evoke the sea, is a masterpiece.
It is a phenomenon whose origins remain shrouded in mystery.
The corporation, whose global reach is unparalleled, faces new regulations.
He is a statesman whose legacy will be debated for generations.
혼동하기 쉬운
They sound identical, leading to frequent spelling errors even among native speakers.
Learners are often told 'whose' is only for people, so they use the clunky 'of which' for objects.
Both feel formal, so learners swap them randomly.
자주 하는 실수
The boy who dog is big.
The boy whose dog is big.
The girl that her name is Kim.
The girl whose name is Kim.
Whose is this car?
Whose car is this?
The man whose is tall.
The man who is tall.
I know a man who's car is blue.
I know a man whose car is blue.
The house whose is red.
The house whose roof is red.
The people whose they live here.
The people who live here.
The company who's employees are happy.
The company whose employees are happy.
The car which its door is broken.
The car whose door is broken.
The man, whose I met his father.
The man whose father I met.
The theory, the implications whose are vast.
The theory, whose implications are vast.
A person whose I don't know the name.
A person whose name I don't know.
문장 패턴
I have a friend whose ___ is ___.
The company whose ___ is ___ is located in ___.
He is an author whose ___ I have ___.
It was a situation whose ___ could not be ___.
Real World Usage
I want to work for a leader whose vision is inspiring.
Tag someone whose smile makes your day!
I'm calling about a package whose tracking number isn't working.
We are looking for a house whose garden is south-facing.
This is a theory whose validity is still being tested.
Looking for someone whose hobbies include hiking and travel.
'소유'를 생각하세요!
'Who's'는 절대 쓰지 마세요!
사물에도 유용하게 쓰여요!
더 자연스럽게 말하는 법!
Smart Tips
Replace the word with 'who is'. If the sentence still makes sense, use 'who's'. If not, use 'whose'.
Use 'whose' to link the object to its parts. It sounds much more sophisticated.
It is almost 100% likely to be 'whose'.
Delete the possessive word and put 'whose' in its place to join them.
발음
Homophone Alert
'Whose' is pronounced exactly like 'who's' (/huːz/). The context and the following noun are the only ways to tell them apart in speech.
Stress Pattern
In a relative clause, the stress usually falls on the noun following 'whose', not on 'whose' itself.
Non-defining pause
My brother [pause] whose wife is French [pause] lives in Paris.
The pauses (commas in writing) indicate extra, non-essential information.
암기하기
기억법
Whose is for 'Who's the owner?' If you see a noun after the gap, 'whose' is the map!
시각적 연상
Imagine a person holding a golden leash that connects them to their dog. The leash is shaped like the word 'WHOSE', physically linking the owner to the possession.
Rhyme
If it's his, her, its, or their / Use 'whose' to show you care!
Story
A detective is looking for a thief. He finds a hat. He asks, 'Who is the man whose hat this is?' He uses 'whose' to bridge the man and the hat to solve the crime.
Word Web
챌린지
Look around your room. Pick three objects and describe them using 'whose'. (e.g., 'I have a desk whose surface is messy.')
문화 노트
In very formal British academic writing, some still prefer 'of which' for inanimate objects, but 'whose' is now widely accepted and preferred for better flow.
On platforms like Instagram or TikTok, 'whose' is frequently used in 'tag a friend' prompts.
Indian English speakers may use 'whose' in very formal or slightly archaic ways that are perfectly correct but less common in casual US/UK speech.
Derived from Old English 'hwæs', which was the genitive (possessive) form of 'hwa' (who).
대화 시작하기
Do you know anyone whose job is really unusual?
Have you ever stayed in a hotel whose service was terrible?
Can you name a movie whose ending you hated?
Who is a celebrity whose style you admire?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
I saw a woman ___ cat was wearing a tiny hat.
Find and fix the mistake:
She is the student who's book is missing from the library.
Choose the correct sentence:
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /4
연습 문제
8 exercisesThe man ______ daughter is a doctor lives next door.
I don't know ______ going to the party, but I know the guy ______ house it is.
Find and fix the mistake:
The company who's logo is a bird is very famous.
I met a woman. Her son is a famous actor.
You can use 'whose' to describe objects and organizations, not just people.
A: Which car is yours? B: It's the one ______ lights are still on.
Pick the correct sentence.
Match the following:
Score: /8
Practice Bank
13 exercisesThe painter, ___ work I admire, will have an exhibition next month.
The restaurant who's chef won an award is very popular.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Conozco a una chica cuyo hermano es músico.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the sentence beginnings with their appropriate endings using 'whose'.
The company, ___ headquarters are in New York, is expanding globally.
He bought a house, its roof is red.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate into English: 'Ella es la mujer cuyo talento me impresionó.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the describing phrase with the person or thing it describes.
That's the museum ___ collection includes rare artifacts.
Score: /13
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
You can use it for both! While some old textbooks say 'whose' is only for people, in modern English, it is perfectly normal to say 'a house whose roof is red' or 'a company whose profits are high'.
'Whose' is for possession (like 'his'). 'Who's' is a contraction for 'who is' or 'who has'. They sound the same but are used differently.
No. Unlike 'that' or 'whom', you can never omit 'whose'. The sentence 'The man dog is big' is incorrect; you must say 'The man whose dog is big'.
It is neutral. It is used in both casual conversation and very formal writing. It is actually less formal than 'of which' when talking about objects.
Only if it is a 'non-defining' clause (extra information). 'My brother, whose car is blue, lives in London.' (Extra info). 'The man whose car is blue is my brother.' (Essential info).
Yes, but that is a different rule (Interrogative Pronouns). For example: 'Whose bag is this?' In relative clauses, it connects two parts of a sentence.
'Whose' stays the same! 'The parents whose children are playing...' It doesn't change for plural owners.
Only in extremely formal, old-fashioned academic writing. In 95% of cases, 'whose' is better because it is shorter and more natural.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
cuyo / cuya
English 'whose' is gender-neutral and doesn't change for plural nouns.
dont
English 'whose' is strictly for possession, while 'dont' has multiple functions.
dessen / deren
English 'whose' is much simpler as it ignores the gender of the owner.
no (の) within a relative clause
Japanese uses word order and particles instead of a specific relative pronoun like 'whose'.
Relative pronoun + noun + possessive suffix
English replaces the possessive adjective entirely, while Arabic keeps a version of it as a suffix.
de (的)
Chinese relative structures are placed before the noun they modify, whereas English 'whose' clauses follow the noun.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
관련 동영상
08:15 Mirror Bacteria Could Destroy All Life As We Know It
05:06 Why are there so many different kinds of dogs? - Kathleen Morrill Pirovich
05:46 The best way to become good at something might surprise you - David Epstein
WHO | WHOM | WHOSE | WHO'S - Important English Grammar Lesson!
English with Lucy
RELATIVE PRONOUNS | RELATIVE CLAUSES | ADJECTIVE CLAUSES - who, which, that, whose, whom
Arnel's Everyday English
Relative Pronouns | Learn Basic English
English Animated
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