How to Use who’s and whose

The English language can be complex, especially when it comes to similar-sounding words that have different meanings. One such pair is “who’s” and “whose.” While they may appear similar, they have distinct definitions and usages. “Who’s” is a contraction of “who is” or “who has,” while “whose” is a possessive pronoun indicating ownership or possession.

Definition of “who’s”

“Who’s” is a contraction of “who is” or “who has.”

Usage of “who’s”

• Used to ask questions or make statements about someone’s identity or actions.
• Used in indirect questions or embedded clauses.
• Function as a subject or as part of a subject-verb construction.

Examples of “who’s”

• Who’s coming to the party?
• Do you know who’s in charge here?
• I wonder who’s going to win the race.
• Who’s been using my computer?

Definition of “whose”

“Whose” is a possessive pronoun used to indicate possession or ownership.

Usage of “whose”

• Used to refer to the person or thing that something belongs to.
• It is followed by a noun.

Examples of “whose”

• Whose book is this?
• I found a wallet, but I’m not sure whose it is.
• Whose car is parked outside?
• Whose idea was it to go on this trip?

Differences between “who’s” and “whose”

Who’s	Whose
It is a contraction	It is a possessive pronoun.
Used to ask questions or make statements about someone’s identity or actions.	Indicates possession or ownership.
Used in indirect questions or embedded clauses.	Used to refer to possession.
Followed by a verb or part of a subject-verb construction.	Followed by a noun.
Used to inquire about someone’s identity or actions.	Used to inquire about possession or ownership.
The apostrophe in “who’s” indicates the omission of letters.	“whose” does not contain an apostrophe.
Used in spoken language and informal writing.	Used in both formal and informal contexts.
Refer to people, animals, or things.	Used primarily for people and animals.
Used as a subject or part of a subject-verb construction.	Used as a possessive pronoun.
More commonly used in interrogative sentences.	Used in both interrogative and declarative sentences.
Used when asking about a person’s identity or a specific action	Used to ask about the owner or possessor of something.
Contraction of two words (who is/who has).	Standalone word functioning as a possessive pronoun.
Used as a subject or object in a sentence	Modifies a noun or pronoun

Conclusion

In conclusion, “who’s” and “whose” are two distinct words with different meanings and usages. “Who’s” is a contraction of “who is” or “who has” and is used to ask questions or make statements about someone’s identity or actions. On the other hand, “whose” is a possessive pronoun used to indicate possession or ownership

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Que 1. Difference between who’s and whose?

Ans: “Who’s” is a contraction of “who is” or “who has.” “Whose” is a possessive pronoun used to indicate possession or ownership.

Que 2. Usage of whose?

Ans:

• Used to refer to the person or thing that something belongs to.
• It is followed by a noun.

Que 3. Give 3 to 4 examples of Who’s?

Ans:

• Who’s coming to the party?
• Do you know who’s in charge here?
• I wonder who’s going to win the race.
• Who’s been using my computer?

Que 4. Usage of who’s?

Ans:

• Used to ask questions or make statements about someone’s identity or actions.
• Used in indirect questions or embedded clauses.
• Function as a subject or as part of a subject-verb construction.