Who is it/Who is he

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Who is it/Who is he
Message from mrenglish2015 posted on 01-04-2015 at 10:09:09 (D | E | F)
Hello,
could you please help me with this confusing sentence ?
I read in a book this question '' who is it ? referring to a man . Is it correct or not ?
If it's correct ? please, say why ?
When can I use '' it'' when I refer to human beings ?
Thanks in advance

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Edited by lucile83 on 01-04-2015 11:05
Please use capital letters when necessary.

Re: Who is it/Who is he from clint01, posted on 01-04-2015 at 21:02:16 (D | E)
Hello,
I think when someone knocks on the door you should ask 'Who is it?' instead of 'Who are you?' I have no idea why "it" is used.
Maybe just to be on the safe side.

Re: Who is it/Who is he from lucile83, posted on 01-04-2015 at 22:02:50 (D | E)
Hello,
Most of the time it should be 'who is he?' when speaking of a man.
Sometimes lhe language is more common in the dialogues of a book or a film, and 'it' is used instead of 'he'.
Moreover 'who is it' may ask about his profession.
Who is he? = what's his name, do you know him, tell me about him.
Who is it? = what's his job, what does he do for living. But it is still common, familiar language.

Also, as clint wrote, when you hear someone knocking on the door, or calling on the phone, you ask 'who is it?' just because you dont know who it is, man or woman?

Re: Who is it/Who is he from mrenglish2015, posted on 02-04-2015 at 08:59:00 (D | E)
Thanks a lot!xxx

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Edited by lucile83 on 04-04-2015 16:49
No SMS language, thank you.

Re: Who is it/Who is he from gerondif, posted on 03-04-2015 at 12:04:36 (D | E)
Hello,
somebody knocks on the door; You say "Who is it? (identify yourself) because you don't see the person.

A pupil drops a picture on the floor; I notice it but have no interest in the matter , I then say: "Who is it ?"

Now, I scrutinize a picture and would very much like to know the name of that mysterious man, I then say: Who is he ? maybe stressing the IS.

Re: Who is it/Who is he from carlabice47, posted on 04-04-2015 at 17:31:57 (D | E)
Hello, dear ,
Who is it?
in my opinion it all derives from the fact that you refer to things and people in an impersonal way, not referring to the gender: it's me,it's us , it's my brother who did it. Therefore, in the interrogative form, you ask ( when you don't know the identity of the person/s ) who is it? The answer will be: it's us / it's always the butler who commits the crime!

Best regards,

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