Who Has vs. Who Have – Which is Correct?

Both “who has” and “who have” are grammatically correct, with their usage depending entirely on the noun or pronoun that “who” refers to (its antecedent). If the antecedent is singular, “who has” is correct. If the antecedent is plural, “who have” is correct. This is a fundamental rule of subject-verb agreement.

Who Has or Who Have – Which is Correct?

The choice between “who has” and “who have” hinges on subject-verb agreement, specifically with the relative pronoun “who.” The verb following “who” must agree in number with the antecedent (the noun or pronoun) that “who” refers to. If “who” refers to a singular noun, use “has.” If “who” refers to a plural noun, use “have.”

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

The most effective trick is the “antecedent swap test.” Identify the noun or pronoun that “who” is replacing or referring to. Mentally substitute that antecedent for “who” in the clause. If the antecedent is singular, it will naturally take “has” (e.g., “the person who has…” becomes “the person has…”). If the antecedent is plural, it will take “have” (e.g., “the students who have…” becomes “the students have…”). Always look to the word before “who” to determine the correct verb form.

Phrase	Usage Rule	Meaning	Example
Who Has	Used when “who” refers to a singular antecedent.	Refers to a single person or entity possessing or experiencing something.	The student who has completed the assignment can leave.
Who Have	Used when “who” refers to a plural antecedent.	Refers to multiple people or entities possessing or experiencing something.	The students who have completed the assignment can leave.

How to Use Who Has

The phrase “who has” is correctly used when the relative pronoun “who” refers to a singular noun or pronoun. This means that the subject doing the “having” is one individual or one entity. It follows the standard subject-verb agreement rule for third-person singular subjects in the present tense. This usage is common in both formal and informal contexts.

Example 1: Is there anyone who has a spare pen?

Example 2: She is the only candidate who has the required experience.

Example 3: The dog who has the loudest bark usually gets the most attention.

What are the different forms of Who Has?

The core of “who has” is the verb “to have.” “Has” is the third-person singular present tense form of “to have.” The forms of “to have” depend on the subject it agrees with. When “who” refers to a singular antecedent, “has” is used. For instance:

• I have
• You have
• He/She/It has (This is the form used with singular “who”)
• We have
• They have

Other forms of “to have” include “had” (past tense for all subjects) and “having” (present participle).

Etymology of the word Who Has

The word “who” derives from Old English hwā, meaning “who, what, which.” It has retained its function as an interrogative and relative pronoun for centuries. The verb “has” comes from the Old English habban, meaning “to own, possess, have.” Over time, the conjugation evolved, with “has” becoming the distinct third-person singular present tense form, while “have” remained for other persons and plural subjects. The combination “who has” illustrates the enduring principle of subject-verb agreement in English grammar.

How to Use Who Have

The phrase “who have” is correctly used when the relative pronoun “who” refers to a plural noun or pronoun. This indicates that the subject performing the action of “having” consists of multiple individuals or entities. It adheres to the subject-verb agreement rule for plural subjects in the present tense. This construction is standard across various communication styles.

Example 1: We need to identify the employees who have submitted their reports.

Example 2: The teams who have won the most games will advance to the finals.

Example 3: Are there any volunteers who have experience with event planning?

What are the different forms of Who Have?

Similar to “who has,” the verb “have” is a form of the infinitive “to have.” “Have” is the first-person singular, second-person singular/plural, and third-person plural present tense form of “to have.” When “who” refers to a plural antecedent, “have” is used. For instance:

• I have
• You have
• He/She/It has
• We have (This is the form used with plural “who” if “who” refers to “we”)
• They have (This is the form used with plural “who” if “who” refers to “they” or other plural nouns)

Other forms include “had” (past tense) and “having” (present participle).

Etymology of the word Who Have

As mentioned, “who” traces its roots to Old English hwā. The verb “have” also originates from Old English habban. While “has” became specialized for the third-person singular, “have” maintained its broader usage for plural subjects and other singular persons (first and second). The phrase “who have” showcases how the English language maintains consistency in subject-verb agreement even within relative clauses, ensuring that the verb correctly matches the number of the noun it implicitly references.

Related Concepts

Understanding these broader grammatical concepts will help clarify the correct usage of “who has” and “who have.”

• Subject-Verb Agreement: This is the core principle. A verb must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. In the case of “who,” the verb agrees with the antecedent of “who.”
• Relative Pronouns: Words like “who,” “which,” and “that” introduce relative clauses and connect them to a noun or pronoun (the antecedent) in the main clause. The verb within the relative clause must agree with this antecedent.
• Antecedent: The noun or pronoun to which a pronoun refers. Identifying the antecedent is crucial for determining whether to use “has” or “have” after “who.”

Examples from Media and Literature

• From a news report (June 4, 2026): “The mayor announced a new initiative to support small businesses who have been impacted by recent economic shifts.”
• From a novel: “It was the old woman who has lived in the cottage for decades, a silent observer of all village happenings.”
• From a movie script: “We need to find the person who has the courage to speak up against injustice.”
• From a scientific journal: “Researchers are studying individuals who have shown remarkable resilience to certain diseases.”
• From a historical text: “These are the pioneers who have shaped the very landscape of our nation’s progress.”

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. She is the artist ________ a unique style.
2. The team members ________ consistently performed well will receive bonuses.
3. Is there anyone ________ seen my keys?
4. All students ________ completed the prerequisite course can enroll.
5. He knows a dog ________ learned to fetch the newspaper.

Answer Key

1. has
2. have
3. has
4. have
5. has

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Does “who” ever take a singular verb when referring to a plural subject?
No, “who” always takes a verb that agrees with its antecedent. If the antecedent is plural, the verb must be plural (e.g., “who have”).

Question 2: What if “who” refers to a collective noun?
If “who” refers to a collective noun (like “team,” “family,” “committee”), the verb agreement depends on whether the collective noun is treated as a single unit or as individual members. If it’s a unit, use “has” (e.g., “the team who has a unified vision”). If it’s individual members, use “have” (e.g., “the family members who have differing opinions”).

Question 3: Can “who” be replaced by “that” or “which” in these phrases?
Yes, “that” can often replace “who” when referring to people, especially in less formal contexts (e.g., “the person that has”). “Which” is generally used for things, not people, so it would not typically replace “who” in these constructions.

Conclusion

Mastering the distinction between “who has” and “who have” is a clear demonstration of strong grammatical understanding. The key lies in identifying the antecedent of the relative pronoun “who” and ensuring that the verb “to have” agrees in number with that antecedent. Whether referring to a singular individual or multiple entities, precise subject-verb agreement within relative clauses enhances clarity and professionalism in your writing. Pro Tip: Always double-check the noun immediately preceding “who” to confirm its singularity or plurality, thereby safeguarding your professional reputation against common grammatical errors.