English grammar can be tricky, especially when it comes to irregular plural forms. One such example is the plural of “who.” While it may seem straightforward, there are some common mistakes that English learners make when trying to form the plural of this pronoun. In this article, we will explore the basics of plural forms in English and provide some tips and tricks for forming the plural of “who.”
Plural of Who
Definition and the Plural of Who
When you encounter the word who, you are dealing with a singular interrogative pronoun used for asking questions that refer to people. It functions regardless of number, meaning it does not change to indicate whether you’re referring to a single person or multiple individuals. Therefore, it is important to understand that who is by its nature both singular and plural, adapting to the context of the question posed without alteration.
For example, when you ask, “Who is coming to the party?” you could be inquiring about one person or several people. The subject’s plurality is implied in the context and often clarified by the answer, not the word who itself.
Remember, other pronoun forms related to who such as whose (possessive form) and whom (object form) also do not change between singular and plural contexts. Your choice between who and whom depends on their grammatical role in the sentence, not the number of people involved.
Examples of Who and Plural of Who in Sentences
“Who” is used to ask questions about people, and to identify or describe them. Here are some examples:
- Who is that person over there?
- Who are you talking to?
- Who is coming to the party tonight?
“Who” can also be used to introduce a relative clause, which provides additional information about the person being referred to. Here are some examples:
- The woman who is wearing the red dress is my sister.
- The man who I met at the conference is a famous author.
- The people who live next door are very friendly.
When you’re constructing a sentence and you want to refer to an unspecified person or a group of people, you’ll likely use the pronoun “who.” “Who” remains the same whether you are referring to a single individual or multiple people.
Singular Example:
- Who left the door open?
Whether you’re asking about one person or several, the structure does not change:
Plural Example:
- Who are the guests at the party tonight?
It is important to note that “who” is not used to refer to animals or objects. In such cases, “which” or “that” are used instead.
In some instances, you might encounter “whom,” which is a form of “who” used as an object in a sentence. ‘Whom‘ is used as an object pronoun, which means it is in the objective case.
Example:
- To whom did you give the key? (“Whom” replaces the object “him” or “her”.)
Usage in the English Language
The word “who” remains consistent in form regardless of whether it’s referring to a single person or multiple people. In English, “who” serves as both singular and plural without changing its form.
Spoken English
In spoken English, you will use “who” when asking about the identity or nature of individuals. It’s flexible and adjusts to the number implicitly based on the question’s context. For example:
- Singular: “Who is the speaker today?”
- Plural: “Who are the winners?”
When addressing a group, you might say, “Who knows the answer?” Here, “who” could be addressing multiple people, but the form stays the same.
Written English
Written English follows the same rules as spoken English, with “who” always unaltered regardless of the number it represents. In sentences, the verb following “who” will change to agree with the number:
- Singular: The girl, who is my friend, is here.
- Plural: The girls, who are my friends, are here.
Your writing should maintain the consistent use of “who” to keep it clear and grammatically correct, closely paying attention to verb agreement to indicate the number involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the plural form of ‘who’?
The word ‘who’ does not have a distinct plural form. It is used for both singular and plural antecedents and the context reveals the quantity.
When should I use ‘who’ instead of ‘whom’?
‘Who’ is used as the subject of a sentence, while ‘whom’ is used as the object of a sentence. For example, “Who is going to the party?” versus “Whom are you inviting to the party?”
What are the grammar rules for using ‘who’?
‘Who’ is used to refer to people, and it is always singular or plural. It is used as the subject of a sentence or clause, or as the object of a verb or preposition.
Can ‘who’ be both singular and plural?
Yes, ‘who’ can be both singular and plural. It is used to refer to people, regardless of whether it is singular or plural.
Can a plural verb be appropriately used with the word ‘who’?
Yes, if ‘who’ refers to a plural antecedent, the verb should agree with the plural noun, for example: “Who are the winners?”
When should ‘who’ be replaced with ‘whom’ in both singular and plural contexts?
Replace ‘who’ with ‘whom’ when it serves as the object of a sentence or clause, regardless of the number of entities it refers to, for example: “To whom do I address this letter?”
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