who else but

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "who else but" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used as a rhetorical device to draw attention to the obvious answer or to highlight the significance of a particular person or thing. For example, "Who else but the President himself signed the new immigration bill?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Perfect for: "Who else but Tiësto himself?

The Guardian - Tech

Who else but Chelsea … sorry, Mail Online.

The Guardian

Who else but Abby Wambach to bring the U.S. back?

The New York Times

So who else but me could possibly play Tony Blair?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Who else but your bartender would see that?

The New York Times

We're left thinking: who else but Mr. Taylor?

The New York Times - Arts

"Like I said, who else but the Warrior?" he said.

The New York Times

5) Nineties VHS heaven, with, who else, but Neil Morrissey.

The Guardian - Sport

And who else but George Cukor could have directed?

The New York Times

Who else but children to lead the fucking species into darkness?

The New Yorker

Who else but the barber stands over a Prime Minister and talks down to him?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "who else but" to create a sense of inevitability or obviousness in your writing. It's effective for emphasizing a point or highlighting a well-known figure's involvement.

Common error

Avoid using "who else but" excessively in formal or academic writing. It can come across as too rhetorical or informal. Opt for more direct and neutral language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "who else but" functions as a rhetorical question, used to emphasize the obviousness or inevitability of a particular person or thing being the answer to a question. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is commonly employed as a rhetorical device.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "who else but" is a grammatically sound and frequently used rhetorical question. As Ludwig AI confirms, its main purpose is to emphasize an obvious or predictable person or thing in a given situation. It's particularly common in news and media, where it adds a touch of rhetorical flair. While versatile, "who else but" is best used sparingly in highly formal or academic contexts. Related phrases, such as "none other than" and "it could only be", can offer similar emphasis with varying degrees of formality. Remember to consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing when deciding whether to employ this rhetorical device.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

who else could it be

Focuses on the possibility of someone else being the answer, questioning alternatives.

who would it be other than

Emphasizes the lack of other plausible candidates.

it could only be

Highlights the uniqueness and inevitability of the subject.

none other than

Draws attention to the importance or fame of the person.

who else would you expect

Highlights the predictability of the outcome.

it had to be

Emphasizes the predetermination or inevitability of the subject.

predictably

Focuses on the predictable nature of the event or person involved.

unsurprisingly

Highlights the lack of surprise in the identified subject.

of course

States the obviousness of the person or thing in question.

naturally

Emphasizes the inherent or logical nature of the subject being identified.

FAQs

How can I use "who else but" in a sentence?

Use "who else but" to emphasize an obvious or predictable choice or outcome. For example, "Who else but Messi could score that goal?" highlights Messi's skill.

What does "who else but" imply?

"Who else but" implies that the answer is obvious or that there are no other reasonable alternatives. It often adds a touch of rhetorical flair.

What can I say instead of "who else but" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, use phrases like "none other than", "it could only be", or simply state the expected outcome directly. For example, instead of "who else but the CEO would make that decision?" you could say "the CEO would make that decision".

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "who else but"?

Yes, starting a sentence with "who else but" is grammatically correct when used as a rhetorical question. However, it's more common in informal contexts.