who did you say you were vs who are you

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Who did you say you were?' is used when someone has already mentioned their identity and the speaker is seeking confirmation. 'Who are you?' is a more direct question asking for the person's identity.

Last updated: March 12, 2024 • 1261 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when seeking confirmation of a previously mentioned identity.

"who did you say you were"

This phrase is used when someone has already mentioned their identity, and the speaker is seeking confirmation or clarification.

Examples:

I'm John. - Who did you say you were?
She's my cousin. - Who did you say you were?
The new manager is Sarah. - Who did you say you were?

Show examples from the web [+]

Jan 3, 2015 ... Who did you say you were? Encounters with Charles Haughey. Stephen Collins, Joe Joyce, Peter Murtagh and Michael O'Regan on the late ...
Jan 20, 2015 ... It happened one day last weekend. My husband Bill and I were driving down our street after being out for an hour. Bill said, “That's our place ...
There was one detail, however, that he was not yet aware of. “I'm sorry, Shmuli,” he said, before taking another sip. “Who did you say you were delivering it to?”.
"Who did you say you were?" Amelia pressed her ear to the doorjamb. "What did you say? Who did you say you were?" "My name is Miriam, and I'm Thomas ...

Alternatives:

Can you repeat your name, please?
Could you remind me who you are?
Can you confirm your identity again?
Can you clarify who you are?
Can you tell me your name again?

This phrase is correct and commonly used to directly ask for someone's identity.

"who are you"

This phrase is a direct question asking for the person's identity without any prior mention or need for confirmation.

Examples:

Who are you and what do you want?
Excuse me, who are you?
Who are you looking for?
Who are you talking to?
Who are you going with?

Alternatives:

What's your name?
May I ask who you are?
Could you introduce yourself?
Can you tell me who you are?
What is your identity?

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who did you say you were vs who are you