Learning how to ask about people is one of the first and most important skills when studying English. The word who is the key question word used to ask about people, and combined with the verb to be, it opens up a world of simple yet powerful questions you can use every day.
How do you use "who" with the verb to be?
The structure is straightforward. Who always refers to people, and you pair it with is for singular subjects or are for plural subjects [0:08]. This distinction matters because it reflects one of the core grammar rules in English.
- Who is John? → asks about one person.
- Who are my best friends? → asks about more than one person.
This pattern is essential for beginners because it reinforces subject-verb agreement, which means the verb must match the number of the subject. One person takes is, two or more people take are.
What kind of questions can you form with "who is" and "who are"?
The lesson presents several practical examples that show how versatile this structure is [1:01]:
- Who is an online teacher?
- Who is 30 years old?
- Who is a rock fan?
- Who are tennis fans?
- Who is a Capricorn?
- Who is an Italian language student?
- Who are your best friends?
Notice how each question targets a different kind of information — professions, age, hobbies, zodiac signs, and studies. The answers follow a simple pattern too: subject + is/are + complement. For example, "Kato is a singer" or "John is an actor" [0:30].
Why is the article "a" or "an" important here?
In several examples you can spot the use of a before consonant sounds and an before vowel sounds. "An actor," "an online teacher," "an Italian language student" all begin with vowel sounds, so they take an. Meanwhile, "a singer," "a rock fan," and "a Capricorn" use a because they start with consonant sounds. Mastering this small detail makes your English sound much more natural.
How should you answer these questions?
The response structure mirrors the question. If someone asks, "Who is your best friend?" you answer with a name or description: "My best friend is Kato." If the question uses are, your answer should include plural subjects: "John and Kato are my best friends" [0:45].
Practice answering these prompts on your own:
- Who is your best friend?
- Who is your favorite artist?
- Who is your favorite teacher?
These simple exercises build confidence with question formation and short answers, two skills you will use in every English conversation. Try writing your answers and sharing them — it is the best way to make the language stick.
