The words "who," "what," and "where" are part of the fundamental question words known as the "Five Ws," which also include "when" and "why." These question words are used to gather complete information about a subject or event.
- Who asks about a person or agent involved. It identifies the subject or the people in question. For example, "Who is in charge?" or "Who discovered radioactivity?"
- What asks about an object, action, or event. It seeks to clarify what is happening or what the subject is doing. For example, "What are you doing?" or "What is the story about?"
- Where asks about the location or place of an event or action. It situates the event geographically. For example, "Where did you find this?" or "Where will the party take place?"
These question words are essential in writing, journalism, research, and everyday communication to ensure a full understanding of a situation or story. The Five Ws originated from classical rhetoric and philosophy, notably Aristotle and later rhetoricians, and have been used for centuries to analyze and communicate information clearly
. In summary:
- Who = Person or agent involved
- What = Object, action, or event
- Where = Location or place
They help provide detailed and specific information to convey complete thoughts or stories
