Cool MateWho goes there vs Who is it
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)
Most common: Who is it
| Who goes there | Who is it | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //huː ɡoʊz ðɛər//🇺🇸 //hu ɡoʊz ðɛr// | 🇬🇧 //huː ɪz ɪt//🇺🇸 //hu ɪz ɪt// |
| Meaning | A way to ask who is present or approaching. | A phrase used to ask someone's identity. |
| Example | As the fog rolled in, the guard shouted, 'Who goes there?' | As I approached the door, I called out, 'Who is it?' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less 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 |
| 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. |
| 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. |
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Frequently asked questions: Who goes there vs Who is it
What's the difference between Who goes there and Who is it?
Who goes there: A way to ask who is present or approaching. Who is it: A phrase used to ask someone's identity.
Which is more common: Who goes there and Who is it?
Who is it is the most common in everyday English.
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?'
Can I use Who goes there and Who is it interchangeably?
Not always. Who goes there and Who is it 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.