who the enemy actually is vs who the enemy actually are

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Who the enemy actually is' is correct when referring to the singular form of 'enemy,' while 'who the enemy actually are' is correct when referring to the plural form of 'enemy.'

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 727 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to the singular form of 'enemy.'

"who the enemy actually is"

This phrase is used when talking about a single enemy or a singular entity that is the enemy. It is grammatically correct to use 'is' with singular nouns.

Examples:

I need to find out who the enemy actually is in this situation.

Show examples from the web [+]

Because a good enemy actually puts up a fight.
Hit the enemy where he actually is.
I just thought, maybe, bread isn't actually the enemy.
In Anishinaabe culture, a warrior could prove his courage by the form of counting coup, and it was a way to defeat the enemy without actually killing them.
Yet, what you'll never hear from spokespeople from the Pentagon or the French Department of Defence is that the question isn't really who's the enemy, but actually the very nature of cyber weapons.
That girl - who was actually your enemy and wanted you dead - was killed accidentally.
Let's not forget who the enemy is.
She knows who the enemy is.
It was almost easier when we knew who the enemy was.
I know who the enemy is.
I thought I knew who the enemy was.
Now we know who the enemy is.
In Russia, I knew who the enemy was.
He does not clearly specify, however, who the enemy will be and against whom.
And you just don't know who the enemy is, though.
You know, when I was in Vietnam, they told me who the enemy was and I believed them.
without naming just who the enemy was.
You're asking me to go to war, but won't even say who the enemy is.
How we to know who the enemy is?
In any case, we no longer really know who the enemy is.

Alternatives:

who the real enemy is
who the actual enemy is

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to the plural form of 'enemy.'

"who the enemy actually are "

This phrase is used when talking about multiple enemies or entities that are the enemy. It is grammatically correct to use 'are' with plural nouns.

Examples:

I need to find out who the enemies actually are in this situation.

Show examples from the web [+]

Because a good enemy actually puts up a fight.
Hit the enemy where he actually is.
I just thought, maybe, bread isn't actually the enemy.
In Anishinaabe culture, a warrior could prove his courage by the form of counting coup, and it was a way to defeat the enemy without actually killing them.
Yet, what you'll never hear from spokespeople from the Pentagon or the French Department of Defence is that the question isn't really who's the enemy, but actually the very nature of cyber weapons.
That girl - who was actually your enemy and wanted you dead - was killed accidentally.
Let's not forget who the enemy is.
She knows who the enemy is.
It was almost easier when we knew who the enemy was.
I know who the enemy is.
I thought I knew who the enemy was.
Now we know who the enemy is.
In Russia, I knew who the enemy was.
He does not clearly specify, however, who the enemy will be and against whom.
And you just don't know who the enemy is, though.
You know, when I was in Vietnam, they told me who the enemy was and I believed them.
without naming just who the enemy was.
You're asking me to go to war, but won't even say who the enemy is.
How we to know who the enemy is?
In any case, we no longer really know who the enemy is.

Alternatives:

who the real enemies are
who the actual enemies are

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who the enemy actually is vs who the enemy actually are