those whose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "those whose" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to people who possess a certain characteristic or quality, often followed by a noun or clause that describes that characteristic. Example: "Those whose opinions matter most are often the ones who are directly affected by the decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Those whose love is true and beautiful.

The New Yorker

Not just those whose parents have wherewithal".

The New York Times

Those whose lives are ripped apart, don't".

The Guardian

The teens split evenly between those whose IQ improved and those whose IQ worsened.

The Guardian

There are those whose belief is strong and those whose unbelief is equally unyielding.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Those whose flesh is less frail might be keener.

The Economist

I am grateful to those whose bravery keeps us safe.

The New Yorker

Those whose sageliness is unfathomable are called spiritual (shen).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Most troubling are those whose wealth grows after their election.

The Economist

She will be missed by those whose lives she touched.

The New York Times

Those whose greatness transforms are called sagely (sheng).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "those whose" to clearly indicate a group of people sharing a specific attribute or characteristic. Ensure the following clause clearly defines that attribute.

Common error

Avoid using singular verbs or pronouns when referring back to "those whose". Remember that "those" is plural and requires plural agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "those whose" functions as a determiner followed by a relative clause. It introduces a group of individuals defined by a specific attribute or characteristic, as demonstrated in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "those whose" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that introduces a relative clause to specify a group of people sharing a particular attribute. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It is most prevalent in news and media, but also appears in encyclopedic and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure proper pronoun agreement and consider the level of formality appropriate for your audience. While it's generally versatile, simpler alternatives might be preferable in very informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

those having

A direct synonym, maintaining a similar level of formality.

individuals who have

Replaces "those whose" with a more formal tone, emphasizing possession.

people who own

Simple substitution of "those" with "people" and "whose" with "who own".

people that possess

Uses "people" instead of "those" and "possess" to highlight ownership of a quality.

those that own

Emphasizes the concept of ownership, making it suitable for contexts where possession is key.

persons with

A more formal alternative, suitable for official or academic contexts.

individuals characterized by

Focuses on the defining characteristic, suitable for descriptions.

people defined by

Similar to the above, but less formal, using "people" instead of "individuals".

those marked by

Implies a distinct feature or attribute that sets them apart.

those identified by

Focuses on the identifying trait, suitable for analytical contexts.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "those whose" for brevity?

Consider using alternatives like "people with", or "individuals with" if you want to maintain similar meaning with fewer words. You can also use a descriptive noun that implies the characteristic, depending on the context.

Is it more formal to use "those whose" or "people who have"?

While both are grammatically correct, "those whose" tends to be slightly more formal than "people who have". The choice depends on the overall tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "those whose" and "that whose"?

"That whose" is generally considered incorrect. "Those" is used to refer to people, while "that" is typically used for things. Therefore, "those whose" is the correct form when referring to people possessing a certain quality.

When should I avoid using "those whose"?

Avoid using "those whose" in very informal contexts or when addressing a direct audience, as it can sound overly formal. In such cases, simpler alternatives like "people who are" or "individuals that are" might be more appropriate.