Is 'Who are Laughing' Grammatically Correct?
The English language is rich with grammatical rules that often give even native speakers pause. A common point of confusion is the proper use of the interrogative pronoun 'who.' In the sentence 'Who are laughing,' many might wonder if it is grammatically correct or if a different construction is necessary.
Understanding Who in Question Form
In a general sense, the interrogative pronoun 'who' must agree with the verb it governs. The most common structure for questions involving 'who' is to use a singular verb, as in 'Who is laughing?' However, there are situations where a plural construction is justified, notably when the question refers to more than one individual.
General Usage: Singular Verb with Who is
When the subject being questioned is a single individual or a group treated as a single unit, using 'who is' is correct. Here are some examples:
Who is coming to the party?
Who likes dogs?
Who lives in that big house?
Who has the keys?
Special Cases: Plural Verb with Who are
However, there are instances where 'who are' is the correct construction. This happens when the question is clearly referring to multiple individuals or groups. For instance:
The first match is between A and B. Who are playing in the second match?
Most of you are going by bus or train but who are going by car?
Who were in the leading group?
Who are involved in the syndicate?
Who were arguing about it?
In these examples, the use of 'who are' is appropriate because the question inherently refers to more than one person or group.
Relative Clause Usage with who
When 'who' is used as a relative pronoun, its verb form is determined by the noun it modifies. For instance:
I know the man who is laughing.
I know the people who are laughing.
Conclusion: Why 'Who are Laughing' is Not Correct
Returning to the original query, 'Who are laughing' is generally considered incorrect except in the few special cases where multiple individuals are explicitly referred to. Grammatically, 'Who is laughing' or 'Who are all these people who are laughing' are the correct constructions. The variation 'Whos laughing' or 'Whos laughing now' is accepted in casual speech and informal writing, although it might appear brief or archaic to some readers.
It’s worth noting that the phrase 'He who laughs last' is a classical expression that conveys a broader philosophical or emotional point rather than a strictly grammatical one. In formal writing or speaking, ensuring that 'who' and its verb match in number is crucial for clarity and precision.