In English grammar, “who” refers to people while “what” refers to objects, things, or actions. They are both interrogative pronouns used to gather specific information, but they target fundamentally different subjects. Key Differences Between “Who” and “What” Target Subject: Use who to ask about the identity of a person. Use what to ask about a thing, an idea, or an action. Exceptions for People:
“What” can occasionally apply to people when asking about a profession, status, or role.
Example: Asking “Who is he?” prompts a name like “He is Michael.”
Example: Asking “What is he?” prompts a job description like “He is a lawyer.” Grammar Function:
Both words can act as the subject of a sentence without needing an auxiliary verb. Example: “Who left the door open?” Example: “What caused that loud noise?” Quick Comparison Table Primary Use Example Question Example Answer Who Identifies people or named pets “Who called you?” “My sister called.” What Identifies things, facts, or actions “What is that?” “It is a new laptop.”
Could you tell me if you are looking to understand these words for a grammar assignment, or are you trying to figure out how to structure a specific question? Reddit·r/EnglishLearning
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