whose car is that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whose car is that" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to inquire about the ownership of a car. Example: "I saw a red sports car parked outside; whose car is that?" Alternative expressions include "who owns that car" and "who does that car belong to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Whose car is that?" he asks.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Dylan Goelz, a 22-year-old Roadify employee and ambassador whose car is plastered with signs that say "Giving in Progress," texts in 60 to 70 times a day.

The New York Times

She recalled a former client whose car was so stuffed that it appeared she lived in it.

The New York Times - Travel

Mrs. Masaiti, 35, whose car was burned in the political violence that swept the country before the elections, had to squeeze into a public bus to make the four-hour journey from her rural district in Mutasa.

The New York Times

And on Long Island, four people died in 2005 because of drag racing, including a woman in Elmont whose car was hit by one that the police said was racing.

The New York Times

That knocked Hamilton, whose car was wrecked, out of the race, but Button was not penalized.

The New York Times - Sports

In the early years, there were signs of that commitment -- notably whose car was first to arrive in the parking lot in the morning and whose car was last to leave at night.

The New York Times

Daniel Nilsson, a police spokesman for the central Uppsala region of Sweden, said: "Police carrying out roadside controls noticed that Snoop Dogg (whose car was pulled over) seemed to be under the influence of narcotics.

Independent

In a statement released Monday, the pair state that a witness whose car was stopped by the police action saw McDonald "shying away" from the officers.

Huffington Post

Lt. Randy Tuinstra, watch commander for the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station, reported Friday that two men, whose car was stopped by a Glendale Police officer on the morning of Wednesday Feb. 17, matched the description of two burglary suspects seen on video-surveillance camera breaking into DISH Restaurant.

Los Angeles Times

Robert, the laid-off cop whose car was stolen, now spends hours counting police cars that drive down his street.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whose car is that" to directly inquire about the ownership of a vehicle, particularly when its owner is unknown or unclear in a specific context. For example, if you see an unfamiliar car parked in your driveway.

Common error

Avoid using "who's" (who is) instead of "whose" (possessive form). "Who's car is that?" is grammatically incorrect; always use "whose" to indicate ownership: "Whose car is that?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whose car is that" functions as an interrogative phrase, specifically seeking to identify the owner of a particular vehicle. It is a direct question prompting a response that reveals ownership. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "whose car is that" is a grammatically correct interrogative phrase used to inquire about the ownership of a vehicle. While considered rare in overall frequency, Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral register, suitable for a variety of situations. When using this phrase, ensure you're using "whose" (possessive) rather than the contraction "who's" (who is). Alternatives include "who owns that car" or "who does that car belong to", depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Who owns that car?

A simpler and more direct way to ask about car ownership.

Who does that car belong to?

Alternative phrasing using "belong to" to inquire about ownership.

Whose is that vehicle?

Shorter, more direct question about who owns the vehicle.

To whom does that car belong?

A more formal version of the previous alternative, also inquiring about ownership.

Who is the owner of that car?

Directly asks for the owner's identity.

Which person owns that vehicle?

A slightly more formal and specific inquiry using the word "vehicle".

Can you tell me who that car belongs to?

Polite request for information about the car's owner.

Do you know who owns that car?

Another polite inquiry about car ownership.

I wonder who drives that car?

Expresses curiosity about the car's driver, implying ownership or regular use.

Who's driving that car?

Asks about the person currently driving the car, often implying temporary use.

FAQs

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

"Whose" indicates possession, like in the phrase "whose car is that". "Who's" is a contraction of "who is" or "who has". For example, "Who's going to the party?"

What can I say instead of "whose car is that"?

Alternatives include "who owns that car", "to whom does that car belong", or "who does that car belong to", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "whose car is that" appropriate for formal situations?

Yes, the phrase is generally acceptable in most situations. If you need to be more formal, you could use "to whom does that car belong".

How can I use "whose car is that" in a sentence?

You can use it to directly ask about ownership. For example, "I saw a new car parked outside; whose car is that?"