Is Who a Preposition? (Here Is the Correct Answer!)

Author:

Waqas Ashraf

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Is Who a Preposition? This question often arises when studying English grammar and its various parts of speech.

In this article, we will delve into the world of prepositions, including a comprehensive list of English prepositions with examples. So, let’s find out if “who” belongs to the category of prepositions or not.

Before we dive in, it’s important to clarify that “who” is not a preposition but rather an interrogative pronoun used to inquire about people.

Prepositions are words that establish relationships between different elements in a sentence. They typically indicate location, time, direction, and some other objects.

Table of contents

Is Who a Preposition?

No, “who” is not a preposition. It is a pronoun, specifically a relative pronoun and an interrogative pronoun.

Here’s why:

Prepositions connect nouns or pronouns to other words in a sentence, indicating relationships like time, place, direction, or possession. Examples of prepositions are “in,” “on,” “at,” “to,” “by,” and “with.”

“Who” does not introduce a noun phrase or show any of these relationships. Instead, it functions as a pronoun:

As a relative pronoun: It connects a clause to a noun or pronoun, often introducing non-essential information. Example: “The book who won the award is a bestseller.”
As an interrogative pronoun: It introduces a question about a person. Example: “Who wrote this letter?”

Therefore, “who” does not meet the grammatical definition of a preposition and falls under the pronoun category.

Is Who the Object of A Preposition?

“Who” can, in some cases, be the object of a preposition, but it’s crucial to consider the specific context and grammatical role in the sentence.

When “who” acts as an object of a preposition:

It’s typically preceded by a preposition and followed by a verb clause or another phrase acting as its complement.
This typically happens in formal writing or complex sentence structures.
Remember, informal and modern English often use “whom” in these situations, even though both can be technically correct.

Examples:

Among whom did you distribute the flyers? (Here, “among” is the preposition, and “whom” is the object of the preposition, followed by a verb clause.)
The person with whom you spoke earlier is waiting for you. (“With” is the preposition, and “whom” is the object, followed by a noun phrase.)

What is a Preposition?

A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. It usually indicates location, direction, time, manner, or cause. Prepositions are important for conveying meaning and adding clarity to sentences.

Here are some key points about prepositions:

Function: Prepositions function as connectors between different parts of a sentence.

Placement: They typically appear before nouns or pronouns in a sentence.
Examples: Common prepositions include “in,” “on,” “at,” “by,” “with,” and “to.”
Usage: Prepositions can indicate various relationships such as:

Location: She is sitting on the chair.
Direction: He walked towards the door.
Time: The meeting starts at 9 AM.

Manner: They celebrated with great enthusiasm.

Prepositional Phrases: A group of words consisting of a preposition and its object (noun or pronoun) forms a prepositional phrase.
Object of the Preposition: The noun or pronoun that follows the preposition within a prepositional phrase is called its object.

Examples of English Prepositions:

Here are some common examples of English prepositions used in sentences:

Location:

The cat is on the table.

She lives in New York.
The book is beside the bed.

Time:

We have a meeting at 10 AM.
They usually go for a walk during lunchtime.
I will see you before dinner.

Direction/Place:

He walked through the park.
She went to the store.

The car drove over the bridge.

Movement/Action:

He jumped off the diving board into the pool.

She ran towards her friends.
They danced around the bonfire.

Final Thoughts! Is Who a Preposition!

The question of whether “who” is a preposition in English has been explored. Through our analysis of the list of English prepositions and their examples, it is clear that “who” does not fall into this category.

Prepositions typically indicate relationships between nouns or pronouns and other elements in a sentence, such as location or direction.

Although “who” is commonly used to introduce a question about a person’s identity, it functions as an interrogative pronoun rather than a preposition.

It serves to inquire about the subject or object of the sentence and cannot be followed by an object like traditional prepositions can.

By understanding the role of “who” as an interrogative pronoun instead of a preposition, we can enhance our grasp on English grammar and communicate more effectively.

FAQs

Can “who” Be Used as A Preposition in Any Context?

No, “who” cannot be used as a preposition in any context. It is always a pronoun and never functions as a preposition.

Why Might “who” Be Mistaken for A Preposition Sometimes?

“Who” can be mistakenly thought of as a preposition because it often follows a preposition in a sentence.
For example, in the sentence “to whom did you speak?”, “whom” is the pronoun and “to” is the preposition.
However, “who” is not a preposition in this context.

What Are Some Common Prepositions?

Some common prepositions include “in,” “on,” “at,” “under,” “over,” “beside,” “from,” “to,” “with,” and “between.”
These words help establish relationships between objects, locations, and actions in a sentence.