which person

USAGE SUMMARY

'which person' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence such as: "Which person are you referring to?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which person does not fit?

The New York Times - Sports

Which technique is best for which person?

Yale University

Which person has the upper hand?

The Guardian - Film

(i) Which person is summarising two different views?

Independent

Jesus questions which person has really given more.

Independent

The pictures are not clear which person they show.

The Guardian

But who made which call, to which person, and when.

The Guardian

The core issue, Mr. Lazio said, is "about which person has been talking a lot of baloney and which person has been getting the job done".

The New York Times

When time is called, It must guess from visual clues which person holds the object.

Yale University

An automatic message tells the sender which person is temporarily dealing with the employee's e-mail.

The New York Times

(Which person, if either, emerged the winner is open to interpretation).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which person" when you want to be specific about selecting an individual from a set of known people or options. For instance, "Which person is responsible for this task?"

Common error

Avoid using "which person" in very informal conversations where a simple "who" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can sound overly formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which person" functions as an interrogative phrase, specifically used to inquire about the identity of an individual from a defined set or category. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in asking for clarification or identification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which person" serves as an interrogative phrase used to identify a specific individual from a group. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Academia. While generally neutral in register, it is more formal than a simple "who". Consider using alternatives like "which individual" or "which one" depending on the desired level of formality and specificity. Avoid overuse in very informal contexts to maintain a natural tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which individual

Replaces "person" with a more formal synonym.

which one

A more concise way to ask the same question, especially when the context makes it clear you are referring to a person.

who

A shorter and more direct way to ask the question, suitable in many contexts.

what person

An alternative phrasing, though less common than "which person".

which party

Shifts the focus slightly to identify a person as part of a group.

which candidate

Specifically used when referring to individuals in a selection process.

which member

Used to specify someone from a group or organization.

which figure

Focuses on a notable or recognizable person.

whom

The objective form of "who", used in formal contexts when the person is the object of the verb or preposition.

which applicant

Refers specifically to someone who has applied for something.

FAQs

How can I use "which person" in a sentence?

You can use "which person" when you need to identify a specific individual from a group. For example, "Which person is going to present the report?"

Is "which person" more formal than "who"?

Yes, "which person" is generally considered more formal and specific than the general pronoun "who". You might use "which person" when there's a clear set of people to choose from.

What are some alternatives to "which person"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "which individual", "which one", or simply "who".

When should I use "who" instead of "which person"?

Use "who" when you're asking a general question about a person's identity or role without a specific group in mind. If you are narrowing down among a known set of options then use "which person".