Cool MateWho goes there vs Who is it vs Who's there
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Who goes there
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Who is it
Top 2,000 (common)
Who's there
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
| Who goes there | Who is it | Who's there | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //huː ɡoʊz ðɛər//🇺🇸 //hu ɡoʊz ðɛr// | 🇬🇧 //huː ɪz ɪt//🇺🇸 //hu ɪz ɪt// | 🇬🇧 //huːz ðeə//🇺🇸 //huːz ðɛr// |
| Meaning | A way to ask who is present or approaching. | A phrase used to ask someone's identity. | A way to ask who is at the door. |
| Example | As the fog rolled in, the guard shouted, 'Who goes there?' | As I approached the door, I called out, 'Who is it?' | When I heard a knock, I called out, 'Who's there?' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | ask who goes there, shout who goes there, say who goes there | ask who is it, who is it knocking, wonder who is it | ask 'who's there', knock on the door, hear a knock |
| Common mistakes | Used in casual situations — it's more dramatic or formal., Confused with 'who's there' — which is more common., Mispronounced due to unfamiliar phrasing. | Saying 'Who is this?' only in formal situations., Using the phrase without context, making it unclear., Incorrect use of 'Who is it?' when addressing more than one person. | Using it in a formal context or with unfamiliar people., Confusing it with 'Who's here?' which asks about someone already present., Responding instead of asking when someone knocks. |
| Usage notes | Often used in mysterious or dark situations, such as in stories or movies. Less common in everyday conversations. | Used in informal settings to ask who is present or calling, appropriate in both familiar and unknown contexts. | "Who's there" is often used when someone is knocking at the door. It's friendly and casual. Use it in social contexts but not in formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Who goes there vs Who is it vs Who's there
What's the difference between Who goes there, Who is it, and Who's there?
Who goes there: A way to ask who is present or approaching. Who is it: A phrase used to ask someone's identity. Who's there: A way to ask who is at the door.
Can you show an example of each?
Who goes there: As the fog rolled in, the guard shouted, 'Who goes there?' Who is it: As I approached the door, I called out, 'Who is it?' Who's there: When I heard a knock, I called out, 'Who's there?'
Can I use Who goes there, Who is it, and Who's there interchangeably?
Not always. Who goes there, Who is it, and Who's there are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.