Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[someday]

The following question is from a Grammar textbook.

Ask questions about the underlined words.
Tom and Jack play soccer in Rock Park. "Tom and Jack" are underlined.

So my questions is that what is the correct answer?, "Who plays soccer in Rock Park?" or "Who play soccer in Rock Park?"

Look at another possible example: "Jack and Tim" are going to play baseball tomorrow. Should the question be "Who are" going to play baseball tomorrow?" or "Who is" going to play baseball tomorrow?"
You might answer it depends how many people you have on your mind when asking the question. But When you ask this kind of questions, you may not be sure whether "who" is/will be a singular or plural. Then what would be the default? Singular?

What if you are pretty sure that "who" would be plural? Then would you have to always use the form of the third person plural noun?

Thanks again for your time.

[Lorikeet]

"Who" takes the singular.

"Who's going to go?" "Mary and Susan are."

[someday]

Thank you for your reply, Lorikeet.

So could you say that it is impossible to say " Who are going to play baseball tonight?" even when you're talking to a whole class and expecting more than 10 people are going to play baseball? Thanks again.

[2006]

"Who" is mostly singular, but if "who" is followed by a plural noun or by a pronoun that takes the plural form of the verb 'to be', it is plural.


Who are the people you were talking to? Who are they looking for? I don't know who they are looking for.

We still say 'Who is going to play baseball tonight?', but say 'Who are the people who are going to play baseball tonight?'