who has

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "who has" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about a person who has something (possession) or has done something (action). For example: "The woman who has the golden necklace is my aunt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who has?

The New York Times

Who has a stake?

The New York Times

Who has the responsibility?

The New York Times

Who has the time?

The New York Times

Who has the money?

The New York Times

Who has the edge?

The New York Times

Who has pennies?

The New York Times

Who has Snooki potential?

The New York Times

Who has time?

The New York Times

Who has them?

Independent

Who has big bucks?

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "who has" to directly inquire about possession, responsibility, or capability. For example, "Who has the key to the office?"

Common error

Avoid confusing "who has" with "who's", which is a contraction of "who is" or "who was". For example, instead of writing "Who's the authority to confirm that?" which uses the contraction, use "Who has the authority to confirm that?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "who has" functions as an interrogative phrase, typically used to introduce a question about possession, capability, or responsibility. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a standard and grammatically correct construction in English. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in diverse contexts, from asking about who possesses an item to inquiring about who has specific skills.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "who has" is a versatile and grammatically sound interrogative phrase used to inquire about possession, capability, or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, but also appears in more formal contexts. While generally neutral in register, consider opting for more formal alternatives like "who possesses" in highly formal settings. A common error to avoid is confusing it with the contraction "who's" (who is/was). By understanding its function and usage, you can confidently incorporate "who has" into your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

who possesses

Replaces "has" with a more formal synonym, "possesses".

who owns

Substitutes "has" with "owns", implying ownership.

who is in possession of

Rephrases "who has" into a longer, more formal structure.

which person has

Adds "person" for clarity, slightly increasing formality.

who is holding

Replaces "has" with "is holding", suggesting temporary possession.

who can claim

Shifts the focus to the ability to claim something.

who is entitled to

Changes the meaning to entitlement rather than simple possession.

who is responsible for

Alters the meaning to responsibility rather than possession.

who among us owns

Adds a sense of inclusiveness and challenges the audience.

which individual has

Uses "individual" instead of "who" for a more formal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "who has" in a sentence?

Use "who has" to ask which person possesses something, has a certain quality, or has performed an action. For example, "Who has the winning ticket?", "Who has experience in project management?", or "Who has completed the task?"

What can I say instead of "who has"?

You can use alternatives like "who possesses", "who owns", or "which person has", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "who's" instead of "who has"?

No, "who's" is a contraction of "who is" or "who was", not "who has". Using "who's" in place of "who has" is grammatically incorrect. For example, use "Who has the information?" instead of "Who's the information?"

When is it appropriate to use "who has" in formal writing?

The phrase "who has" is acceptable in both formal and informal writing. However, in highly formal contexts, you might opt for alternatives like "who possesses" or "which person has" to enhance the sophistication of your language.