whose tail vs what tail

Both "whose tail" and "what tail" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Whose tail" is used when asking about the owner of a tail, while "what tail" is used when asking about the specific tail being referred to.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 838 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when asking about the owner of a tail.

"whose tail"

Use "whose tail" when you want to know to whom a tail belongs.

Examples:

Whose tail is that wagging happily?
I wonder whose tail left these muddy paw prints.
Do you know whose tail is missing from the group?

Show examples from the web [+]

It so happens that the phoenix whose tail feather resides in your wand, gave another feather.
The great sea is held in place by Jormungand, the serpent, whose giant body encircles it and who keeps his tail in his mouth to complete the circle and stop the waves breaking loose.
Beginning 1 July 2007, Member States whose bait boats are authorised to fish for bluefin tuna in the East Atlantic shall institute tail tag requirements as follows:
Member States whose bait boats are authorised to fish for bluefin tuna in the Eastern Atlantic shall institute tail tag requirements as follows:
-'railway undertaking' shall mean any private or public undertaking whose main business is to provide tail transport services for goods and/or passengers with a requirement that the undertaking should ensure traction,
When I was a little girl, I had a toy made - It was this wooden lamb whose mouth would open when you pulled its tail.
Member States whose baitboats, longliners, handliners and trolling boats are authorised to fish for bluefin tuna shall institute tail tag requirements as follows:

Alternatives:

to whom does this tail belong
the tail of whom
the tail that belongs to someone

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when asking about the specific tail being referred to.

"what tail"

Use "what tail" when you want to specify which tail you are talking about.

Examples:

What tail did you see in the forest?
I'm not sure what tail you're referring to.
Can you describe what tail you found?

Alternatives:

which tail
the tail in question
the specific tail

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whose tail vs what tail

"whose tail"

"what tail"

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