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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Is it wrong to say "Who are coming?"

Hi, I am aware that this is a very fundamental grammar question, please bear with me.

My question is pretty straightforward, it's just what the title says; is it grammatically incorrect to say "Who are coming?" or "Who are playing in that concert?"?

Now, I know a lot of people would say that it's wrong, and people usually say "Who's coming?", but what if the person's asking "Who are coming?" because he knows it's going to be people, not just one person?

I've googled this, and the answers on the internet did not explain this very well, that's why I'm asking here. Because we do say "Who are these people?" or "Who are they?", it's hard to just predicate that "who" is singular.

I will really really appreciate those who answer my question. It's been bugging me the whole day.Emotion: sad

Thanks in advance!
  

Top answer

That is incorrent. " These are all incorrect, even when referring to multiple people.

— Anonymous

  • That is incorrent.
  • " These are all incorrect, even when referring to multiple people.
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4 Answers
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That is incorrent.

"Who are coming?"

"Who are dying?"

"Who are singing?"

These are all incorrect, even when referring to multiple people.
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How do you know these are incorrect?

I ask because the question isn't explicitly addressed in any grammar books I currently owned. I'm simply told it's wrong (even though it makes absolutely unambiguous sense). Can you offer a common, definitive reference?
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Anonymouswe do say "Who are these people?" or "Who are they?"
Here "these people" is the subject of the sentence.
And "they" is the subject of the second sentence.
AnonymousWho's coming?
Here "who" is the subject.
_____________

It's not a complete explanation, but it's a start.

CJ
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