Who, what or which…

Let’s discuss the difference...

What or which?

We use "WHAT" when there is a wide choice of possible answers.

• What game do you like? (there are a lot of different games)
• What books do you read? (there are many books)

We use "WHICH" when there's a limited number of possible answers.

• Which way do we go? (there is a limited number of possible answers)
• Which finger did you hurt?

After which we sometimes say the possible answers.

• Which cafe did you go to, Sappy's, the Tea house or the Coffee pops?
• Which phone shall I use, this one or the one in the office?

Sometimes, "WHAT" and "WHICH" are both possible.

• What day/ Which day is your dance class?
• What train/ Which train will you catch?
• What part/Which part of India are you from?
• What platform/ Which platform does the train go from?

Let's discuss about "WHO", "WHAT" and "WHICH" at length.

We can use who, what, which without a noun.

• Who sent the letter?
• What do you think about our venture?
• Which is quicker, the bus or the train ?

We can use "WHAT" and "WHICH before a noun, but not "WHO".

Which employee sent the notice?

NOT Who employee sent the notice?

We can use which with one or ones, or with of.

• You can have a drink. Which one would you like?
• You can have some of the photos. Which ones would you like?
• Which one of these drinks would you like ?

We cannot use "WHO" or "WHAT" before of.

• Which of the employees?

NOT Who of the employees?

"WHO" always refer to a person.

• Who did you see? (Person)

"WHAT" generally refers to a thing. It can mean a person only if it comes before a noun.

• What did you see? (a thing)
• What medicine did you take?
• What doctor did you see in the morning? (Person or thing)

"WHICH" can mean a person or a thing.

• Which film did you watch in the theater?
• Which doctor did you visit?