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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Who and What

I have had several non-native english speaking teachers ask me, what is the difference between the questions, 'what is he' and 'who is he'. I have given examples of where each is used (who- he is my brother. what - he is a policeman), although to me there are several situations where both could be used. This hasnt made for a very good answer amoungst a culture that likes a 'rule' to go by.
Any thoughts on the best way to explain this?
  

Top answer

" is rarely appropriate. I can't think of a use for it that is anything like common, and most of them are pejorative. " leaves the door open for any kind of answer, from "Mike" to "Jack the Ripper" (at a Halloween party) to "my fiance" to "the chairman of the committee".

— Enoon

  • " is rarely appropriate.
  • I can't think of a use for it that is anything like common, and most of them are pejorative.
  • " leaves the door open for any kind of answer, from "Mike" to "Jack the Ripper" (at a Halloween party) to "my fiance" to "the chairman of the committee".
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1 Answers
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"What is he?" is rarely appropriate. I can't think of a use for it that is anything like common, and most of them are pejorative. If you want an answer like "he is a policeman", you ask "What does he do (for a living)?"

"Who is he?" leaves the door open for any kind of answer, from "Mike" to "Jack the Ripper" (at a Halloween party) to "my fiance" to "the chairman of the committee".
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