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Mowgli Posted 21 years ago
Vocabulary

Who is it?

Hi everybody!

I have learnt I have to say he or she about persons, I should not say "it" about a person?

Is it possible to say "Who is it"? or do I have to say Who is he/she?

Thank you for your answers Mowgli
  

Top answer

You would use 'it' if you really do not know whether it is a man or woman. for example, if someone knocks on the door and you cannot see them, or if a friend answers the phone and you cannot hear their voice. If you can tell whether it is a man or woman, it is extremely impolite to refer to people as it.

— Nona the brit

  • You would use 'it' if you really do not know whether it is a man or woman.
  • for example, if someone knocks on the door and you cannot see them, or if a friend answers the phone and you cannot hear their voice.
  • If you can tell whether it is a man or woman, it is extremely impolite to refer to people as it.
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2 Answers
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You would use 'it' if you really do not know whether it is a man or woman. for example, if someone knocks on the door and you cannot see them, or if a friend answers the phone and you cannot hear their voice.

If you can tell whether it is a man or woman, it is extremely impolite to refer to people as it.
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And if you know nothing at all about the knocking noise, you might say, 'What is it?'

The word 'who' makes the statement refer to people... or personified animals or things, like Donald Duck, and Little Toot the Tugboat.
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