What is the Difference Between Whose and Who?

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The difference between "whose" and "who's" lies in their function and meaning in a sentence. Here's a breakdown of their differences:

  • Whose: This is a possessive pronoun used to indicate ownership or possession. It is similar to "his," "hers," or "theirs." For example, "Whose book is this?" or "Whose turn is it to wash the dishes?".
  • Who's: This is a contraction of "who is" or "who has." It is used in informal speech or writing to ask or declare who is doing something or who has done something. For example, "Who's going to the store?" or "Who's already eaten dinner?".

In summary:

  • "Whose" is a possessive pronoun used to ask or declare ownership or possession.
  • "Who's" is a contraction of "who is" or "who has" and is used to ask or declare who is doing something or who has done something.

Comparative Table: Whose vs Who

The difference between "whose" and "who's" lies in their usage and meaning. Here is a table comparing the two:

Whose Who's
Indicates ownership or possession, e.g., "Whose book is this?" A contraction of "who is" or "who has," e.g., "Who's going to the party?"
Use "whose" when asking or declaring to whom something belongs Use "who's" when you want to shorten "who is" or "who has" in a sentence
Examples: Whose car is parked outside? Whose shirt is on the floor? Examples: Who's coming to the party? Who's responsible for this mess?

Remember that "whose" is a possessive pronoun, while "who's" is a contraction of "who is" or "who has".