Who is there ? vs Who goes there ?

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Who is there?' is a common way to inquire about someone's presence or identity, especially when someone knocks on a door. 'Who goes there?' is a more formal or old-fashioned way to challenge someone's presence or identity, often used in military or guard situations.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 600 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used to inquire about someone's presence or identity, especially when someone knocks on a door.

"Who is there ?"

This phrase is typically used when someone wants to know who is on the other side of a door or in a dark place. It is a common way to ask for identification or to check who is present.

Examples:

I heard a knock on the door, so I asked, 'Who is there?'
When entering a dark room, she called out, 'Who is there?'

Show examples from the web [+]

No, you are supposed to be saying "Who is there?"
The voice asks, "Who is there?"
The voice says, "Go away." After many years of training, of disciplining, of search and struggle, he comes back. With much greater humility, he knocks again on the door. The voice asks, "Who is there?"
"Who is there?" "I am the toad, and I am going to eat you."
Well, and who is there?
But guess who is there?
Raylan, who is out there?
Ma, who is in there?
Do you know who is singing there?
Who is that man standing there?
(chuckles) You mean a room ready and waiting for someone who isn't there?
Who is the chief psychiatrist there?
Who is that man down there?
Who is that man out there?
What - who is in your car there?
Who is that man down there?
But who is that madman over there?
I'm watching you saying, Who is that up there?
Who is that man over there?
Who is that laughing out there?

Alternatives:

Who's there?
Who is it?
Who's knocking?
Who's at the door?
Who's outside?

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in everyday language. It is more formal or old-fashioned and is often used in military or guard situations to challenge someone's presence or identity.

"Who goes there ?"

'Who goes there?' is typically used in situations where someone wants to challenge the identity of a person approaching or entering a restricted area. It conveys a sense of authority or formality.

Examples:

As the guard heard footsteps approaching, he called out, 'Who goes there?'
In old movies, you often hear the line, 'Halt! Who goes there?'

Show examples from the web [+]

Now, I said, "Who goes there? Friend or foe?"
You'll wake the whole hamlet with your, "Who goes there?"
"Who goes there? Stop or I'll shoot!", shouted the guard.
Halt, who goes there?
Who-Who goes there? - It is I, Gygax, demon of the Astral plane.
So, who goes out there first?
So, who goes out there first?
And who goes in there, now?
How do we decide who goes?
The question is who goes first?
What happens to a private who goes AWOL?
Do you have a child who goes here?
How - How do we choose who goes first?
Sizeable groups of the population are now poverty-stricken, as anyone who goes there regularly will have noticed.
No one who goes there returns.
Cares about you or Sabrina from Madison who goes to Vassar?
LIVIA: Okies and misfits, that's who goes there.
Is there a bus that goes there?
How do they pick who goes when?
When storms shut down entire ports, you know who goes out?

Alternatives:

Who's there?
Who is it?
Who's coming?
Who's approaching?
Who's entering?

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Who is there ? vs Who goes there ?

"Who is there ?"

"Who goes there ?"

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