who it was

USAGE SUMMARY

"who it was" is a valid phrase in written English.
It is used as an interrogative pronoun to ask a question about someone's identity. For example: "Who it was that set off the alarm?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I didn't know who it was.

The New Yorker

JONES: I knew who it was immediately.

The New Yorker

So I knew who it was.

Independent

They dared not ask who it was.

The New Yorker

"We didn't care who it was.

The New York Times

Perhaps you can guess who it was?

The New York Times

I knew who it was, but barely.

The New York Times

He just didnt know who it was".

The New Yorker

"I know who it was.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Jacob wants to know who it was, too.

Huffington Post

We couldn't pinpoint who it was.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "who it was" in situations where you are asking for or stating an unknown identity, especially when the person's identity is relevant to the context.

Common error

Avoid using "whom it was" unless you are certain the pronoun requires the objective case, which is rare in modern usage. Stick with "who it was" for simplicity and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "who it was" functions as an interrogative pronoun, typically introducing a clause that seeks to identify an individual. Ludwig examples show it used to express curiosity, uncertainty, or the need for clarification about a person's identity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Academia

2%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "who it was" is a common and grammatically correct way to inquire about or state an unknown identity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is valid in written English and is widely used in news and media. While its register is mostly neutral, "who it was" functions as an interrogative pronoun to question someone's identity. When writing, be sure to use "who" instead of "whom" for simplicity, and recognize that this phrase introduces uncertainty or a need for identity clarification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the person in question

Emphasizes a specific individual being discussed.

the one responsible

Simple and direct alternative, emphasizing responsibility.

the identity of the person in question

Focuses on the 'identity' aspect, offering a more formal tone.

the individual involved

Highlights the person's participation in an event.

the person responsible

Emphasizes accountability and the role of the individual.

the identity of the culprit

Specifically refers to someone who has committed a misdeed.

which individual was responsible

Highlights the selection from a group and responsibility.

who the person could have been

Shifts the focus to speculation and potential identity.

who might that have been

Expresses uncertainty and curiosity regarding the person's identity.

the person's designation

Focuses on the official role or title of the person.

FAQs

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

You can use "who it was" in a sentence like, "I didn't know "who it was" that called me last night."

What's a more formal alternative to "who it was"?

A more formal alternative would be "the identity of the person", as in, "The police are trying to determine "the identity of the person" involved in the incident."

Is it correct to say "whom it was" instead of "who it was"?

While grammatically "whom" is the objective case of "who", in modern English, "who" is often used in place of "whom", especially in informal contexts. Therefore, "who it was" is generally acceptable.

What's the difference between "who it was" and "who was it"?

"Who was it?" is a direct question. "Who it was" is typically used within a clause or sentence to report or inquire about an unknown identity, for example, "I need to know "who was it" that left the door open?"