Who: how to describe a person
Short answer: Use who to add information about a person. Who takes the place of he or she, so do not say the pronoun again: The girl who has a kite is my sister. The verb after who matches the person: The boy who plays football. The boys who play football. For things, use that or which instead.
▶ Open the rule card · ✏️ Practice this rule
At a glance
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| person + who + verb | tells which person | The teacher who reads stories is kind. |
| one person | verb with -s | The boy who plays football |
| many people | plain verb | The boys who play football |
In short
- who adds information about a person.
- who already means he or she: do not say it again.
- The verb after who matches one or many.
What is the rule for “Describing people with who”?
The rule
who adds information about a person.
How it looks
person + who + what they do or have
What it means
It tells us which person, or more about them.
When to use it
Use it to say which person you mean.
How it works
- Say the person first: the girl, my friend, the man.
- Add who and what the person does or has: who has a kite, who can swim.
- Do not repeat he or she after who.
- Match the verb to the person: one person, plays; many people, play.
Examples of “Describing people with who”
- The teacher who reads stories is kind.
Which teacher? The one who reads stories. - I have a friend who can swim.
Which friend? One who can swim. - The child who has my book is outside.
Which child? The one who has my book. - The man who lives next door is a doctor.
Which man? The one who lives next door. - I know a girl who speaks three languages.
who speaks tells us more about the girl. - People who exercise feel better.
Many people: who exercise (plain verb). - My uncle, who is a pilot, flies every week.
Extra information about my uncle, with commas.
Common mistakes with “Describing people with who”
The girl who she has a kite is my sister.→ The girl who has a kite is my sister.
who already means she. Do not say she again.The girl which has a kite…→ The girl who has a kite…
For people use who.The boy who play football…→ The boy who plays football…
One boy: plays.The people who lives next door are friendly.→ The people who live next door are friendly.
People is plural, so the verb is live.I have a friend who’s brother is a pilot.→ I have a friend whose brother is a pilot.
Whose shows ownership; who’s means who is.
Exceptions: watch out
- One or many
The verb after who matches the person: The boy who plays. The boys who play.
Who, that and which
Who is for people. That can be used for people or things. Which is for things.
| Word | For | Example |
|---|---|---|
| who | people | The boy who sings |
| which | things | The song which he sings |
| that | people or things | The boy that sings / the song that he sings |
See also: Describing things with that and which
Check yourself
- Fix: “The girl who she has a kite is my sister.”
Show the answer
The girl who has a kite is my sister. Who already means she.
- Choose: “The boys who ___ football are tall.” (play / plays)
Show the answer
play Many boys: play.
- Choose: “The woman ___ lives here is a doctor.” (who / which)
Show the answer
who A woman is a person: who.
How to practice “Describing people with who”
The interactive version adds step-by-step help, spoken instructions and a quick check. One rule card, one sound lesson and the first lesson of every stone are free to try; the rest is part of Full Access. See Full Access.
- Practice lesson: Describing people with who
Questions
Is it “who” or “whom”?
Who is used as the subject. Whom is used as an object in formal English. You will meet whom later.
Can I leave out “who”?
Not when it is the subject of the verb. You can leave it out only in some other patterns.
Why the commas in “My uncle, who is a pilot, flies”?
They show extra information that is not needed to identify the person.
More Linking Ideas Further rules
- before and after: before and after put two events in time order. Each part needs its own subject and verb.
- Past continuous: was / were + -ing: was or were + -ing tells what was happening at a time in the past.
- when and while in stories: while goes with the longer action (was / were + -ing). when goes with the short action that interrupts.
- Why we do things: to and so that: To give a reason for an action, use to + the plain action word. so that can be followed by a full idea.
- Describing things with that and which: that and which add information about a thing. Do not say the thing twice.
- although and even though: although and even though show that two ideas are different. Do not add but.
Used in these writing topics
Part of the 📘 Grammar tool. Level G5: Linking Ideas Further. Đọc bằng tiếng Việt.
Written for English learners by the English for Fun team. How we write our lessons · Last updated 2026-11-05.
Reviewed by Chinh Q. Hoang, PhD, founder, English for Fun · 2026-10-30
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