who are

USAGE SUMMARY

"who are" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a clause used as a question to ask about the identity of someone or something. For example: "Who are the people coming to the party tonight?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who are you now?

The New Yorker

So who are we?

The New Yorker

Who are your influences?

The New Yorker

Who are your people?

The New Yorker

Who are its members?

The New Yorker

Who are the advisers?

The New York Times

Who are the Millennials?

The New Yorker

Who are the Turks?

The New Yorker

Who are ours?

The New Yorker

And who are we?

The New York Times

But who are you?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking about a singular subject, remember to use "who is" instead of "who are".

Common error

Avoid using "who are" when referring to a single person or entity. The correct form for a singular subject is "who is". For example, instead of "Who are the main suspect?" say "Who is the main suspect?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "who are" functions as an interrogative clause, typically used to elicit information about the identity or nature of individuals or groups. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "who are" is a grammatically sound and highly versatile interrogative phrase used to inquire about the identities or characteristics of multiple individuals or entities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in diverse contexts, particularly within news and media. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to distinguish between singular ("who is") and plural ("who are") forms and avoid misapplication with singular nouns. Mastering these distinctions will enhance the precision and effectiveness of your written and spoken communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

who is

Singular form, used when referring to a single person.

what are the characteristics of

Focuses on the attributes or features of a group.

what is the identity of

Formal way to ask about someone's identification.

can you identify

Asks for identification of individuals or entities.

who might they be

Expresses uncertainty about the identity.

how do you describe

Focuses on the traits or attributes that characterize someone.

what defines

Seeks the defining qualities of a group or individual.

who could they be

Expresses speculation or guessing about identity.

what are they known for

Focuses on the achievements or reputation of a group.

what distinguishes

Seeks the unique features that differentiate a group.

FAQs

How do I use "who are" in a sentence?

Use "who are" to ask about the identity or characteristics of multiple people or entities. For example, "Who are the members of the team?"

What can I say instead of "who are"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "what is the identity of" or "what defines" to inquire about the nature or identity of someone or something.

Which is correct, "who is" or "who are"?

"Who is" is used for singular subjects, while "who are" is used for plural subjects. For example, "Who is the leader?" versus "Who are the leaders?"

What's the difference between "who are" and "what are"?

"Who are" is used to ask about the identity of people, while "what are" is used to ask about the nature or characteristics of things or ideas. For example, "Who are the candidates?" versus "What are the key issues?"