whose
gb/hˈuz/ us/hˈuz/
A2
English
~ 600
Senses
0 senses
pronoun
A2
relation
1
possessive form of 'who'
Used to show that something belongs to the person or thing you are talking about.
Usage pattern:
whose [noun] [verb/phrase]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'whose' with 'who's', which means 'who is' or 'who has'.
Synonyms
of whom (More formal and less common; often used in written English.)
Antonyms
not belonging to (Indicates lack of ownership or association.)
Collocations
whose fault
|whose idea
|whose turn
|whose name
Themes
grammar
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Whose book is this on the table?
- I met a woman whose brother lives in Canada.
- Do you know whose phone is ringing?
- The company, whose offices are in New York, is expanding abroad.
Learner examples
- Whose bag is this?
- She is the girl whose dog is big.
- I know a man whose car is red.
- Whose shoes are these?
determiner
A2
relation
2
possessive determiner for questions/clauses
Used before a noun to show or ask who owns something.
Usage pattern:
whose [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes omit 'whose' and use 'who' incorrectly before a noun.
Synonyms
belonging to which person (A longer paraphrase used for clarity in explanations.)
Antonyms
not owned by anyone (Indicates absence of ownership.)
Collocations
whose house
|whose car
|whose number
Themes
grammar
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Whose keys are on the counter?
- This is the artist whose paintings we saw yesterday.
- I don't know whose idea it was.
Learner examples
- Whose pen is on the desk?
- Whose cat is in the garden?
- I met a boy whose father is a doctor.
Grammar
Dictionary form
whose
IPA
GB/hˈuz/
US/hˈuz/
Syllables & stress
whose (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (whose)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: whose
- Plural: whoses
Word family
Expressions
whose side are you on?
1/hˈuz sˈaɪd ˈɑɹ jˈu ˈɔn ‖/
fixed phrase
ask about loyalty or support
Used to ask which person or group you support in a disagreement or competition.
Examples
- Come on, whose side are you on? We're supposed to be working together!
- You keep agreeing with them—whose side are you on?
Whose turn is it?
2/hˈuz tˈɚn ˈɪz ˈɪt ‖/
fixed phrase
ask who acts next in order
Used to ask who should do something next in a game or activity.
Examples
- Okay, whose turn is it to roll the dice?
- Whose turn is it to wash the dishes tonight?