who is

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "who is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use "who is" when asking a question or making a statement in which you are asking for information on a particular person. For example, "Who is the mayor of this town?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

'Who is Fatma?' (literally 'Fatma who-is?').

Encyclopedia Britannica

Who is crazy, and who is sane?

The New York Times

Who is Jimmie Johnson?

The New York Times

Who is actually right?

The New Yorker

But who is right?

The New York Times

Who is Katniss Everdeen?

The New York Times

Who is correct?

The New York Times

Who is drinking it?

Independent

Who is next?

The New York Times

Q: Who is cheering?

Independent

But who is?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the context. "Who's" is an acceptable contraction in informal writing, while "who is" is more appropriate for formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "whose" (possessive form) when you mean "who's" (contraction of "who is"). "Whose" indicates ownership, while "who's" asks for someone's identity, for example, "Whose book is this?" versus "Who's coming to the party?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "who is" functions primarily as an interrogative phrase, used to introduce questions seeking to identify a person. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "who is" is a grammatically correct and very common interrogative phrase used to inquire about the identity, role, or description of a person. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although the contracted form "who's" is more suitable for informal settings. The most common error is confusing "who's" with "whose". Remember to use "who is" when seeking information about a person's identity and "whose" when indicating possession. Top sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase, underscoring its widespread use in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

who's

Shorthand contraction of "who is", maintaining the same meaning.

what is the identity of

More formal and elaborate way of asking "who is".

can you identify

Asks for identification, focusing on the act of recognizing someone.

who might be

Expresses uncertainty about the identity of someone.

who could that be

Suggests curiosity or speculation about someone's identity.

what's their name

Focuses specifically on obtaining the name of the person.

who are they

Shifts the focus to a group of people instead of an individual.

which person is it

Specifies that the question refers to a person among others.

who do you think

Seeks an opinion about the identity of someone.

what role does play

Focuses on the function or position someone holds.

FAQs

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

Use "who is" to ask for someone's identity or description, such as "Who is the author of this book?" or "Who is responsible for this decision?"

What's the difference between "who is" and "who's"?

"Who is" is the full form, while "who's" is the contraction of "who is". They have the same meaning, but "who's" is more informal.

When should I use "who is" instead of "whose"?

Use "who is" when you want to know a person's identity or role. Use "whose" to indicate possession or ownership, such as "Whose car is parked outside?"

Are there more formal alternatives to asking "who is"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "What is the identity of?" or "Could you please identify?" for a more formal tone.