Whose and who’s

These words are often confused by ESL students. Whose is a possessive word. It is used in questions and relative clauses. Who’s is the contraction of who is or who has.

• Incorrect: Who’s is this coat?
• Correct: Whose is this coat?
• Incorrect: Whose is that over there?
• Correct: Who’s that over there?
• Incorrect: I know a girl who’s brother serves in the army.
• Correct: I know a girl whose brother serves in the army.
• Incorrect: I have got a cousin whose never been to a cinema.
• Correct: I have got a cousin who’s never been to a cinema.