Difference Between Whose and Who’s
Understanding how to use whose and who’s is essential for students to write clear, correct English sentences. This page explains the difference between “whose” and “who’s,” provides simple rules, examples, and a quick checklist. Follow this guide to master the primary keyword and avoid common grammar mistakes for effective English writing and communication.
How To Use Whose And Whos: Rules and Easy Examples
Key rule: Whose shows possession, while who’s is a contraction of “who is” or “who has.” Never use “who’s” for ownership.
Step 1: Decide if the sentence needs a possessive word (ownership or belonging).
Step 2: Use whose if you are asking about possession (e.g., “Whose shoes are these?”).
Step 3: Use who’s if you can replace it with “who is” or “who has” (e.g., “Who’s coming with us?”).
Quick Checklist
• Use whose to ask or tell about ownership or relation.
• Use who’s only as “who is” or “who has.”
• If you can’t replace it with “who is/has,” do not use who’s.
• Remember: Possessive pronouns (whose, his, her) never use apostrophes.
• Double-check sentences like “Whose name is on the list?”—never “who’s name.”
See related grammar notes
Difference Between Whose and Who’s
Whose shows possession (e.g., “Whose book is this?”); Who’s is a contraction for “who is” or “who has” (e.g., “Who’s coming to class?”). Never use “who’s” to show ownership.
Sample Sentences Using Whose and Who’s
Whose
1. Whose bag is on the table?
2. Maya, whose brother is in Class 10, helped us.
3. This is the student whose project won the prize.
Who’s
1. Who’s ready for the exam?
2. Do you know who’s finished their homework?
3. She’s the teacher who’s always cheerful.
Common Mistakes and Their Corrections
• Incorrect: Who’s shoes are missing?
Correct: Whose shoes are missing?
• Incorrect: Whose going to present next?
Correct: Who’s going to present next?
• Never write “who’s name”—always use “whose name.”
More on Pronouns and Usage
For a deeper understanding of interrogative pronouns, visit the Interrogative Pronouns Explained page. To learn about all types of pronouns, check Types of Pronouns (with examples).
Authority Quotes and Student Fact Cards
“Possessive pronouns like whose never take an apostrophe.” – Oxford English Grammar (2025)
Tip: Try replacing “who’s” with “who is” or “who has.” If it makes sense, the contraction is correct.
Fun Fact: Common exam error: “Who’s bag is this?” should be “Whose bag is this?”
150-Word Answer Example (Collapsible)
150-Word Sample Paragraph
Knowing when to use whose and who’s helps students avoid confusion in writing. “Whose” shows ownership, as in “Whose notebook is left on the bench?” In contrast, “who’s” is a short form for “who is” or “who has,” e.g., “Who’s coming on the trip?” Double-check: if you mean “who is,” use “who’s.” If you refer to possession, use “whose.” For example, never write “who’s name”—the correct phrase is “whose name.” Keeping these simple rules in mind ensures your English is accurate and easy for others to understand.
250-Word Answer Example (Collapsible)
250-Word Sample Paragraph
Many students confuse the use of “whose” and “who’s” because they sound identical but have very different meanings. “Whose” is a possessive pronoun that asks or tells about belonging. Example: “Whose bag did you find?” The word “who’s” contracts to “who is” or “who has.” Example: “Who’s absent today?”
Quick test: Try replacing “who’s” with “who is.” If it makes sense, you are correct. Example: “Who’s going to the match?” = “Who is going to the match?”
Using “who’s” in place of “whose” is a common error: “Who’s book?” is wrong, “Whose book?” is right. Always use “whose” for relationships, ownership, or attributes, as in “the girl whose essay was selected.” In summary, use “who’s” only when you mean “who is” or “who has.” Use “whose” for possession—even for inanimate objects: “a room whose window faces east.”
Follow this guide to improve your writing skills, whether for assignments, speeches, or exam responses.
500-Word Answer Example (Collapsible)
500-Word Sample Paragraph
The difference between “whose” and “who’s” is a key grammar topic for students from Class 6 to 12. Incorrect use often leads to confusion, loss of marks, and less professional communication. At the core, “whose” is a possessive pronoun, used to show ownership, relation, or origin. “Who’s” is simply a contraction, standing for “who is” or “who has.”
To choose between them, first ask: Is the sentence about ownership? If yes, use “whose.” For example, “Whose idea was selected?” or “Do you know the boy whose father teaches here?” These sentences ask about possession or relationship.
If the sentence is about a person’s state or action, use “who’s.” For example, “Who’s going home early?” Here, “who’s” can be expanded to “who is.” A good check: if you can replace the word with “who is” or “who has,” then “who’s” is correct.
Common exam mistake: Students often write “who’s name is written first?” This is incorrect—even if the sounds are the same. The right form is “whose name is written first?”
Students can also meet “whose” in complex sentences: “This is the artist whose paintings we admired.” You can even use “whose” for objects if no clearer possessive word exists: “a country whose history is long.”
Here is a table to reinforce, with examples:
| Ownership | State/Action |
|---|---|
| Whose bicycle is outside? | Who’s joining us for lunch? |
| She is the girl whose mother is a doctor. | Do you know who’s absent? |
Use this page and additional grammar resources from Vedantu to practise further. Mastering whose and who’s will help you deliver clearer essays, emails, and everyday sentences.
Connect to More Grammar Topics
Explore Relative Pronouns rules for a full picture. To enhance your practice, try Vedantu’s Pronoun exercises and worksheets and Comprehensive pronoun rules.
This page has explained how to use whose and who’s, provided clear examples, and corrected common grammar mistakes. By applying these rules, students can improve their written and spoken English, enhance clarity in assignments, and prevent common errors. Consistent practice and careful checking will help students develop lifelong language skills. Vedantu supports students in mastering essential grammar for every context.
FAQs on How to Use “Whose” and “Who’s” in English: Rules, Tips & Examples
1. What is the main difference between whose and who’s?
Whose is used to show possession, while who’s is a contraction of “who is” or “who has.”
Key points:
• Whose: Shows ownership (e.g., Whose bag is this?)
• Who’s: Means who is or who has (e.g., Who’s going to class?)
• Never use who’s to show possession.
2. How can students remember when to use whose and who’s?
An easy way to remember is:
• Who’s always stands for who is or who has. Try replacing it in the sentence.
• If you can’t replace it with who is or who has, use whose.
• Whose = ownership; Who’s = contraction.
3. Can you use who’s instead of whose in a sentence?
No, you cannot use who’s in place of whose because they have different meanings.
• Who’s = “who is” or “who has”
• Whose = possession/ownership
• Using the wrong word is a common grammar mistake and can confuse the meaning of your sentence.
4. Is it correct to say who’s name or whose name?
The correct phrase is whose name when you are asking about ownership.
• Whose name is on the list? (Correct)
• Who’s name on the list? (Incorrect)
• Remember, whose always shows possession.
5. What are some examples of whose in a sentence?
Whose is used to show ownership in a sentence.
Examples include:
• Whose notebook is this?
• Do you know whose shoes these are?
• She met a student whose English is excellent.
6. How do you use who’s and whose in questions?
Use whose to ask about ownership and who’s to ask about identity or status.
Examples:
• Whose pen is lying on the desk?
• Who’s absent today?
• Always check if “who is” or “who has” fits the sentence before using who’s.
7. What is an easy rule to avoid confusing whose and who’s?
A quick rule: If you can replace the word with “who is” or “who has,” use who’s. For showing ownership, use whose.
Who’s = who is/who has
Whose = belonging to someone
8. Can you give sentence examples with who’s?
Here are sentences using who’s:
• Who’s coming to the meeting?
• Who’s finished their homework?
• Who’s been to this museum before?
Each who’s stands for “who is” or “who has.”
9. What are common mistakes students make with whose and who’s?
Some common mistakes include:
• Using who’s to show possession (Incorrect)
• Forgetting that who’s means “who is” or “who has”
• Writing who’s book instead of whose book
• Confusing contraction with ownership
Always double-check which meaning fits your sentence.
10. How do teachers evaluate students’ use of whose and who’s in exams?
Teachers check for correct usage by seeing:
• If whose is used for ownership
• If who’s is used as a contraction only
• Whether example sentences match proper grammar rules
• If the answer fits the meaning required in the question or essay
