What vs. Who

Attribute	What	Who
Definition	Refers to things, objects, or ideas	Refers to people or individuals
Examples	Apple, Love, Mathematics	John, Mary, Teacher
Usage	Used to describe objects or concepts	Used to refer to individuals or groups
Interrogative Pronoun	What	Who

Introduction

When it comes to language, two common question words that are often used are "what" and "who." These two words serve different purposes in a sentence and have distinct attributes that set them apart. In this article, we will explore the differences between "what" and "who" and how they are used in various contexts.

Definition

First and foremost, it is important to understand the basic definitions of "what" and "who." "What" is used to ask about things or objects, while "who" is used to ask about people or persons. For example, if you ask "What is that?" you are inquiring about an object, whereas if you ask "Who is that?" you are asking about a person.

Usage

One key difference between "what" and "who" is their usage in questions. "What" is typically used to ask about the nature or identity of something, while "who" is used to inquire about a person's identity or role. For instance, you might ask "What is your favorite color?" to learn about someone's preferences, but you would ask "Who is your best friend?" to find out about a specific person.

Examples

Let's look at some examples to further illustrate the differences between "what" and "who." In the sentence "What is the capital of France?" the question is about a specific piece of information - the capital of France. On the other hand, in the sentence "Who wrote the Harry Potter books?" the question is about the author of the books, not just a piece of information.

Context

Another important aspect to consider when comparing "what" and "who" is the context in which they are used. "What" is often used in more general or abstract situations, while "who" is used in more specific or personal contexts. For example, you might ask "What is the meaning of life?" in a philosophical discussion, but you would ask "Who is coming to the party?" when planning an event.

Interrogative Pronouns

Both "what" and "who" are considered interrogative pronouns, which means they are used to ask questions. However, they serve different functions within a sentence. "What" is often used as a subject or object in a question, while "who" is typically used as a subject to inquire about a person. For example, in the question "What are you doing?" the word "what" is the object of the verb "doing." In contrast, in the question "Who is coming to dinner?" the word "who" is the subject of the verb "is coming."

Conclusion

In conclusion, "what" and "who" are two important question words in the English language that serve different purposes and have distinct attributes. While "what" is used to ask about things or objects, "who" is used to inquire about people or persons. Understanding the differences between these two words can help improve your communication skills and ensure that you ask the right questions in various situations.