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Understanding the Difference Between “Whose” vs. “Who’s”
“Whose” and “who’s” both come from the same pronoun: “who”. However, navigating their differences and knowing which word to use can be challenging, especially because “whose” and “who’s” have near identical pronunciations.
In this guide, you will learn when to use “whose” vs “who’s”, as well as discover tips for quickly identifying the two in writing.
What is the Difference Between “Whose” and “Who’s”
One of the main reasons that individuals may confuse “whose” with “who’s” is because these two words are homophones. Homophones are words that have identical pronunciations but differ in meaning. As a result, mixing them up can be common, and so understanding their differences is essential if you want to avoid errors in writing.
“Whose” is a possessive pronoun. Specifically, it is the possessive form of the pronoun “who”. It can be used both in statements and questions. This can look like:
- “Whose card is this?”, in which “whose” is used to question who owns the card.
- “I know whose book that is.”, in which “whose” makes an ownership statement.
“Who’s”, however, is not a pronoun. Instead, it is a contraction that combines a pronoun, “who”, with a verb, “is”. The usage of which can look like:
- “Who’s this?”, in which “Who’s” shortens “who” and “is”.
As a contraction, “who’s” is not typically used in formal and professional writing, instead being written as “who is”. Like “whose”, it can be used both in questions and statements. Rather than referring to ownership, however, it focuses more on one being or one who is completing an action.
Why Does It Matter?
One 2023 study found that career applicants whose resumes had five errors had a reduced chance of interview compared to those with error-free resumes1. When “whose” or “who’s” are used incorrectly, it can have a notable impact on your writing, affecting clarity and reliability.
Whether applying for a job or drafting a marketing campaign, in professional writing, your written words are often the first impression of you for your target audience. As a result, it’s important to take the time to proofread and revise work.
In a professional environment, learning to identify and correct grammatical errors is a key step in creating a positive image for yourself or your company.
Comparing Whose vs Who’s
Tips for Differentiating Between Whose and Who’s
One helpful way to differentiate between the usage of “whose” and “who’s” is to break down the word usage, replacing the apostrophe in “who’s” with “is” or “has” depending on the context.
Take this sentence for example: “Whose house are you going to”. If you’re unsure of whether to use “whose” or “who’s” in this case, see how the passage sounds by reading “who’s” as “who is”. Seeing this “whose” or “who’s” example written incorrectly as “Who is house are you going to” can help you highlight and correct mistakes.
FAQ
Can “Who’s” Ever Show Possession?
Sometimes, the meaning of a word may differ based on the context at hand. For example, the word “oversight” may refer to supervision or management. However, in a different context, it can refer to a mistake or error. This is not the case for “who’s”, though. “Who’s” is strictly a contraction used to capture a subject and a verb. Because of this, “who’s” will never imply possession in a sentence.
How to Know When To Use “Whose” or “Who’s”?
If you intend to show possession, then you’ll want to use “whose”, for example, “Whose lunch is this?”. On the other hand, “who’s” can be used as a contraction of the words “who” and “is” in order to portray an action and/or state of being.
Are There Other Commonly Confused Words Like “Whose” vs “Who’s”?
Another common example of homophones that may make it difficult to navigate formal writing is “it’s” vs “its”. Like “who’s”, “it’s” is a contraction made of the words “it” and “is” or “has”. To properly use it in a sentence, you may say “It’s Monday today” or “It’s got to go”. “Its”, however, shows neuter possession. To use this word correctly in a sentence, you could say “The dog is asleep in its bed”. Other commonly confused homophones include:
- “Your” vs “you’re”
- “There” vs “they’re” vs “their”
- “To” vs “too” vs “two”
What are the Risks of Mistaking Who’s for Whose, or Vice Versa?
Mistaking “who’s” for “whose” is a common mistake, one that readers will often be able to navigate without significant misunderstandings. However, making this mistake, or other grammatical errors, when writing can harm your credibility. This is especially true in professional writing, where an oversight like this may be considered a lack of attention to detail.
Conclusion
Learning how to differentiate between “whose” and “who’s” is essential to having a clear and effective communication. “Whose” is used to show possession, while “who’s” is a contraction of the words “who” and “is” or “has”. Mastering these differences helps ensure that your writing is professional and accurate.
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