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who they are vs who are they

Both "who they are" and "who are they" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Who they are" is used when the subject is already known, and the focus is on their identity. On the other hand, "who are they" is used when the subject is not known, and you are asking a question about their identity.
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Explained by Jennifer
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: July 05, 2024 • 106097 views

who they are

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when the subject is already known, and the focus is on their identity. It is often used to provide information about a person or a group.

Examples:

  • I know who they are. They are the new neighbors.
  • Can you tell me who they are?
  • It's important to understand who they are before making a decision.
  • Jan 24, 2024 ... Religious 'Nones' in America: Who They Are and What They Believe. A closer look at how atheists, agnostics and those who describe their ...
  • The Nones: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going [Burge, Ryan P.] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers.
  • "We Know Who They Are" (WKWTA) by Conflicted Art, founded by Yevgen Nemchenko and GW Corcoran's Studio Arts student Benjamin Cunningham, is an immersive ...
  • Jun 24, 2022 ... When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. - Maya Angelou. This morning I ran into one of my neighbors, who I thought ...
  • May 16, 2023 ... In The Nones: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going, Second Edition, Ryan P. Burge gives readers a nuanced, accurate, ...
  • Jan 25, 2023 ... It's not the child's responsibility to teach a parent who they are, it's the parent's responsibility to learn who their child is. I love ...
  • Survey of E-scooter users in Vienna: Who they are and how they ride. Author links open overlay panel. Barbara Laa , Ulrich Leth. Show more. Add to Mendeley.
  • "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." #MayaAngelou.
  • Oct 6, 2019 ... ... Who are they?'. An example is; "Do they really do that?" and in answering, "That is who they are."
  • Sep 5, 2016 ... Successful Leaders Know What Made Them Who They Are ... Can you identify the one person, event, or influence that made you who you are as a leader ...

Alternatives:

  • who he is
  • who she is
  • who we are
  • who I am
  • who they were

who are they

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when the subject is not known, and the question is about their identity. It is often used to inquire about the identity of a person or a group.

Examples:

  • Who are they and why are they here?
  • Can you tell me who are they?
  • I don't know who are they, do you?
  • Jul 8, 2010 ... Who Are They? Jenny Turner reports from the Battle of Ideas. Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Email Print 7689 words. The fifth annual ...
  • Jun 18, 2021 ... Who are “they” and why do we listen to “them”? I'll tell you who “they” are. Are you ready? “They” are you, and “they” are me. We are all ...
  • Recent advances in molecular biology have facilitated analyses of the oral microbiome ("Who are they?"); however, its functions (e.g., metabolic activities) ...
  • Apr 2, 2021 ... Who are they? By Andrew Perrin and Sara Atske. For many Americans, going online is an important way to connect with friends and family, shop ...
  • Children who have received no vaccines: who are they and where do they live? Pediatrics. 2004 Jul;114(1):187-95. doi: 10.1542/peds.114.1.187. Authors. Philip ...
  • In Who Are "They" Anyway? BJ Gallagher and Steve Ventura lead readers on a personal quest-a journey-in search of someone who can fix what's wrong, deal with ...
  • Mar 22, 2024 ... Tenz: “who are they peeking?” is probably the hardest line i've heard next to Demon1 “i'm the best player in this game”. Highlight | Esports.
  • Feb 17, 2020 ... Who are they? Treat the verb to be as though its object behaves like a subject, so 'they', not 'them'; we, I, he, she, instead of us, me, ...
  • Aug 26, 2022 ... If there are space battles, who are they fighting? Question/Discussion. I've just rewatched the original movie. Leon was an ammunition loader ...
  • Aug 29, 2016 ... High-Need, High-Cost Patients: Who Are They and How Do They Use Health Care? A Population-Based Comparison of Demographics, Health Care Use ...

Alternatives:

  • who is he
  • who is she
  • who are we
  • who am I
  • who were they

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