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'Who' is commonly known as a question word used to acquire information about a person. In this lesson, we will learn everything about this word.
Who is one of the WH-words categories. Three functions of who are covered in this lesson:
Functions of 'Who'
1. 'Who' as an Interrogative Pronoun
Use
- Who asks about the subject; like:
- Who asks about the subject complement that is the adjective, noun, or pronoun that follows the linking verb; like:
- Who asks about the object and it is used with verbs or verb phrases with particles; like:
- Who can be the object of a preposition as well. Such as:
To
'Who' is the object of 'to.'
Who vs. Whom
1. Who is used to refer to subjects or objects, but whom refers only to objects. For example:
'Who' refers to the object.
2. In everyday English, it is more natural to use who instead of whom at the beginning of a question. The preposition, then, comes at the end of the sentence. Therefore, it is considered formal to use prepositions before whom. For example:
To
It sounds formal.
Position in a Sentence
Who as an interrogative pronoun comes at the beginning of the sentence. An inversion is needed when 'who' asks about the subject complement, the object, or the object of a preposition.
- If who is used to ask about the subject. There is no need for inversion; for example:
Sara goes there. →
Sara is the fastest. →
- If who is used to ask about the subject complement, an inversion is required. For example:
I am Rita. →
There are two steps to make an inversion:
1. The subject complement is omitted and who comes at the beginning of the interrogative sentence.
2. The to-be verb and the subject are inverted.
Tip
1. The subjects 'I' and 'we' are replaced with 'you' in interrogative sentences.
2. If there is a main verb in a sentence, a semi-auxiliary or an auxiliary verb is needed to make an interrogation.
- If who is used to ask about the object, an inversion is required. For example:
To
Tip
Who can be used alone to show surprise or other emotions, like:
2. 'Who' as a Relative Pronoun
Use
Who as a relative pronoun connects the relative clause to the independent clause. The relative clause introduced by 'who' is adjectival because it describes the preceding noun. For example:
I don't know the man
'Who is over there' is an adjective clause, acting as an adjective for 'the man.'
Position in a Sentence
Who as a relative pronoun always heads an adjective clause. Look at this example:
I don’t know the man
'Who' always heads the adjective clause.
Who vs. That
That as a relative pronoun can replace who but a comma is never used before 'that.' Who can take a comma if the adjective clause it introduces, is non-essential. Like:
I saw the man,
'Who can sing songs' is a non-essential adjective clause.
This is the man
'Who sings songs' is an essential adjective clause.
3. 'Who' as a Nominal Relative Pronoun
Use
Who as a nominal relative pronoun is used to introduce a relative clause. The relative clause is nominal because it acts as subjects or objects for the independent clause. Look at these examples:
I don't know
'Who is over there' is the object of 'know.'
'Who to call' is the subject.
Position in a Sentence
Who as a nominal relative pronoun always heads a nominal relative clause. For example:
I don't know
'Who called' is a nominal relative clause.
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