WHOSE vs. WHO’S: What’s the Difference?

The words WHOSE and WHO’S may sound the same when spoken (both pronounced /ho͞oz/), but they have very different meanings and uses in English. Learning to use them correctly will help you avoid common mistakes in writing and speaking.

WHOSE: Possessive Pronoun

WHOSE is a possessive pronoun used to ask or talk about ownership or relationships. It shows that something belongs to someone or is connected to someone.

Examples:

• Whose bag is this?
  (Asking who owns the bag.)
• I met a girl whose brother is a famous actor.
  (Talking about the girl’s brother.)
• Whose idea was it to organize the trip?
  (Asking about the person who had the idea.)

Tip: If you see WHOSE in a sentence, it’s always asking or referring to possession.

WHO’S: Contraction

WHO’S is a contraction, meaning it’s a shorter form of who is or who has.

Examples:

• Who’s coming to the meeting?
  (Who is coming to the meeting?)
• Who’s been to Italy before?
  (Who has been to Italy before?)
• Do you know who’s in charge of this project?
  (Who is in charge of this project?)

Tip: To test if WHO’S is correct, try replacing it with who is or who has. If the sentence still makes sense, you’re using the right word.

BE CAREFUL: They Sound the Same!

Both words are pronounced /ho͞oz/, which makes it easy to confuse them when writing. To avoid mistakes, check the following:

Is it asking about or showing possession?
If yes, use WHOSE.

Does the sentence need a verb?
If yes, use WHO’S (who is or who has).

Summary Chart: WHOSE vs. WHO’S

By understanding these differences and practicing with real examples, you’ll never confuse WHOSE and WHO’S again!

Practice Makes Perfect: Try This Quiz!

Fill in the blank with WHOSE or WHO’S:

1. ___ jacket is on the chair?
2. ___ the person in charge of the event?
3. I have a neighbor ___ dog barks all night.
4. ___ been to this restaurant before?
5. Do you know ___ turn it is to speak?
6. The man ___ wallet was found came to the office.
7. ___ ready to leave now?

Answers

1. Whose (Possession: Whose jacket?)
2. Who’s (Who is the person?)
3. Whose (Possession: Whose dog?)
4. Who’s (Who has been?)
5. Whose (Possession: Whose turn?)
6. Whose (Possession: Whose wallet?)
7. Who’s (Who is ready?)