Who's or Whose - Common Grammar Mistake

'Who's' and 'whose' are commonly confused words in English grammar. Understanding the difference between 'who's' and 'whose' is important to use them correctly in written and spoken English.

'Who's' is a contraction of 'who is' or 'who has'. It is used to ask a question about someone's identity or to define someone's actions or characteristics.

'Whose' is a possessive pronoun that indicates ownership or belonging. It is used to ask about or indicate the person or thing something belongs to.

Let's take a closer look at the meanings and usage of 'who's' and 'whose'.

'Who's''Whose'
The word 'who's' is a contraction of 'who is' or 'who has'.The word 'whose' is used to indicate possession or ownership.
  • Who's going to the party? (asking about someone's plans)
  • I wonder who's been eating my cookies. (referring to someone's actions)
  • Whose pen is this? (asking about the ownership of the pen)
  • I don't know whose car that is. (indicating the ownership of the car)

To remember the difference between 'who's' and 'whose', it can be helpful to remember that 'who's' is a contraction of 'who is' or 'who has', while 'whose' is used to indicate possession or ownership.

Here are some examples of correct usage:

  • Who's going to the concert? (asking about someone's plans)
  • I wonder whose idea it was to start this project. (indicating ownership)

Remembering the correct usage of 'who's' and 'whose' will improve your grammar and communication skills.