who is it

USAGE SUMMARY

"Who is it?" is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
It is typically used as a polite way of inviting a response to a query, indicating that one does not yet know the identity of the person being referred to. For example: "I saw someone walking in the park, but I couldn't make out their face - who is it?".

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Decide who is "it".

WikiHow

The team who is "it" counts.

WikiHow

Start with a person who is "it".

WikiHow

Who is it aside from?

Independent

Who is it accountable to?

The New York Times

"Who is it?" mamma asked.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

LOGAN: Who was it?

The New Yorker

Who was it from?

The New York Times

Who's it been prepared by?

The New York Times

Who was it that knew him?

The Economist

"Who was it?" "Talking in my sleep.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “Who is it?” to politely inquire about the identity of someone when you are unsure. Context is key; it's often used when someone knocks on a door or calls on the phone.

Common error

Avoid using "whose it?" as it inquires about possession, whereas "who's it?" is a contraction of "who is it?", which asks for identity. For example, use "Who is it?" instead of the grammatically incorrect "Whose it?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "who is it" functions as an interrogative expression, specifically a direct question. Its purpose is to elicit the identity of an individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct question.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "who is it" is a common and grammatically correct interrogative expression used to inquire about someone's identity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this simple question serves the vital purpose of requesting identification in various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as wiki sources, it maintains a generally neutral tone, leaning slightly toward the informal. When using this phrase, ensure that you use the correct contraction, avoiding confusion with "whose". Alternative phrases like "who is this" or "May I ask who's calling?" can provide variety in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Who are they?

Plural form of the question, inquiring about multiple people instead of one.

Who is this?

Used when encountering someone unexpected or unknown, often over the phone.

What is it?

Inquires about the nature or identity of something non-human.

Do you know who it is?

Asks if the listener possesses the knowledge of the person's identity.

Can you identify them?

Asks for identification of someone, shifting from direct question to a request.

Could you tell me who it is?

A polite request for identification.

May I ask who's calling?

A formal way to ask someone's identity, particularly on the phone.

Who might that be?

A more indirect and speculative way of asking for someone's identity.

Who could that be?

Expresses curiosity or speculation about an unknown person's identity.

I wonder who that is.

Expresses curiosity about an unknown person's identity, without directly asking.

FAQs

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

You can use "who is it" to ask for the identity of someone, like when someone knocks at the door: "Knock, knock. – "Who is it"?"

What's a more formal way to say "who is it"?

In more formal settings, you could ask "May I ask who is calling?" or "To whom am I speaking?" depending on the context of the conversation.

When is it appropriate to use "who is it"?

It's appropriate when you need to identify someone and lack information about their identity, such as when receiving a phone call from an unknown number or hearing a knock on the door.

What can I say instead of "who is it" on the phone?

Alternatives include "Hello, who's calling?", "May I ask who's speaking?", or simply "Who is this?"