“If you’re trying to identify someone or inquire about their identity, there are many alternative ways to ask “Who is this?”
Sometimes, asking “Who is this?” can seem too direct or impersonal. Whether you’re receiving a call, a message, or encountering someone whose identity is unknown to you, varying your approach can be more engaging and polite.
Here are several alternative phrases to ask about someone’s identity in different contexts.
1. Can I Ask Who I’m Speaking With?
Scenario: Answering an unexpected phone call.
Example 1: “Hello, can I ask who I’m speaking with?”
Example 2: “Hi, can I ask who I’m speaking with before we proceed?”
Explanation: This phrase is polite and slightly formal, making it suitable for both professional and casual conversations.
2. May I Know Who This Is?
Scenario: Receiving an email from an unknown sender.
Example 1: “Thank you for your email. May I know who this is?”
Example 2: “Hi, may I know who this is so I can better assist you?”
Explanation: This phrase is courteous and professional, ideal for formal communications and settings.
3. Who Am I Speaking With?
Scenario: Responding to an unrecognized voice on a call.
Example 1: “Hello, who am I speaking with?”
Example 2: “Hi, who am I speaking with at this time?”
Explanation: This is a direct but polite way to inquire about someone’s identity, suitable for both formal and informal situations.
4. Could You Please Tell Me Who This Is?
Scenario: Answering a message from an unknown number.
Example 1: “Hi, could you please tell me who this is?”
Example 2: “Hello, could you please tell me who this is so I know how to respond?”
Explanation: This phrase adds a touch of politeness and formality to your request for identity.
5. I’m Not Sure Who This Is. Can You Introduce Yourself?
Scenario: Receiving a call or text from an unfamiliar contact.
Example 1: “Hi, I’m not sure who this is. Can you introduce yourself?”
Example 2: “Hello, I’m not sure who this is. Can you let me know who you are?”
Explanation: This phrase is friendly and informal, making it suitable for casual conversations.
6. Who Am I Talking To?
Scenario: Engaging in a phone conversation with an unknown caller.
Example 1: “Hello, who am I talking to?”
Example 2: “Hi, who am I talking to right now?”
Explanation: This is a straightforward way to ask for someone’s identity, applicable in both formal and casual contexts.
7. May I Ask Who This Is?
Scenario: Responding to a text message from an unknown number.
Example 1: “Hi, may I ask who this is?”
Example 2: “Hello, may I ask who this is so I can better understand the context?”
Explanation: This phrase is polite and formal, making it appropriate for professional interactions.
8. Can You Tell Me Who I’m Speaking To?
Scenario: Answering a business call from an unrecognized number.
Example 1: “Hello, can you tell me who I’m speaking to?”
Example 2: “Hi, can you tell me who I’m speaking to for my records?”
Explanation: This is a polite and professional way to inquire about someone’s identity, suitable for business settings.
9. Who Is This, Please?
Scenario: Receiving a voicemail from an unknown caller.
Example 1: “Hi, who is this, please?”
Example 2: “Hello, who is this, please? I didn’t catch your name.”
Explanation: This phrase is formal and respectful, making it suitable for various contexts.
10. Could You Let Me Know Who This Is?
Scenario: Getting an unexpected email or message.
Example 1: “Hi, could you let me know who this is?”
Example 2: “Hello, could you let me know who this is for clarity?”
Explanation: This phrase is polite and slightly formal, appropriate for both personal and professional settings.
11. Who Might This Be?
Scenario: Answering a call from an unfamiliar number.
Example 1: “Hello, who might this be?”
Example 2: “Hi, who might this be on the line?”
Explanation: This is a friendly and slightly formal way to ask for someone’s identity.
12. What’s Your Name?
Scenario: Receiving a call or message from an unknown contact.
Example 1: “Hi, what’s your name?”
Example 2: “Hello, what’s your name so I can address you properly?”
Explanation: This phrase is direct and informal, making it suitable for casual conversations.
13. Could I Get Your Name?
Scenario: Responding to an email or message from an unknown sender.
Example 1: “Hi, could I get your name for my records?”
Example 2: “Hello, could I get your name to better assist you?”
Explanation: This phrase is polite and formal, appropriate for professional communications.
14. Can You Share Your Name with Me?
Scenario: Answering a call or text from an unfamiliar person.
Example 1: “Hello, can you share your name with me?”
Example 2: “Hi, can you share your name so I know who I’m speaking with?”
Explanation: This is a courteous and neutral way to ask for someone’s identity.
15. Who Should I Say Is Calling?
Scenario: Receiving a call from an unknown number.
Example 1: “Hi, who should I say is calling?”
Example 2: “Hello, who should I say is on the line?”
Explanation: This phrase is polite and helpful in a phone conversation, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
16. What’s Your Identity?
Scenario: Receiving a message from an unknown sender.
Example 1: “Hi, what’s your identity?”
Example 2: “Hello, what’s your identity so I can respond appropriately?”
Explanation: This phrase is more formal and may be used in specific contexts where identity verification is important.
Other Ways to Say I Have Completed the Task
17. Could You Please Identify Yourself?
Scenario: Answering a call or message from an unfamiliar source.
Example 1: “Hello, could you please identify yourself?”
Example 2: “Hi, could you please identify yourself so I know how to address you?”
Explanation: This phrase is formal and respectful, ideal for professional settings.
18. Who Is This Calling?
Scenario: Receiving a call from an unrecognized number.
Example 1: “Hi, who is this calling?”
Example 2: “Hello, who is this calling me?”
Explanation: This phrase is straightforward and direct, suitable for both formal and casual contexts.
19. Who Am I Receiving This From?
Scenario: Responding to an unexpected email or message.
Example 1: “Hi, who am I receiving this from?”
Example 2: “Hello, who am I receiving this message from?”
Explanation: This phrase is polite and formal, making it suitable for professional communications.
20. Can You Tell Me Who I’m Corresponding With?
Scenario: Replying to an email from an unknown sender.
Example 1: “Hi, can you tell me who I’m corresponding with?”
Example 2: “Hello, can you tell me who I’m corresponding with for clarification?”
Explanation: This phrase is formal and appropriate for email or letter communications.
21. Who Is This Exactly?
Scenario: Answering a call from an unfamiliar number.
Example 1: “Hello, who is this exactly?”
Example 2: “Hi, who is this exactly so I know how to proceed?”
Explanation: This is a slightly more direct way to ask for someone’s identity while remaining polite.
22. What’s Your Full Name?
Scenario: Receiving a message or call from an unknown person.
Example 1: “Hi, what’s your full name?”
Example 2: “Hello, what’s your full name so I can address you properly?”
Explanation: This phrase is direct and formal, suitable for both professional and personal contexts.
23. Who Am I Speaking to Right Now?
Scenario: Responding to an unexpected phone call.
Example 1: “Hi, who am I speaking to right now?”
Example 2: “Hello, who am I speaking to right now for my reference?”
Explanation: This phrase is clear and straightforward, suitable for immediate conversations.
24. Can You State Your Name, Please?
Scenario: Receiving a call or message from an unfamiliar number.
Example 1: “Hello, can you state your name, please?”
Example 2: “Hi, can you state your name, please, so I know who I’m talking to?”
Explanation: This phrase is polite and formal, ideal for professional situations.
25. Who Should I Mention This Is?
Scenario: Answering a call from an unknown contact.
Example 1: “Hi, who should I mention this is?”
Example 2: “Hello, who should I mention this is when I pass along the message?”
Explanation: This phrase is polite and helps to clarify the caller’s identity.
26. Could You Introduce Yourself?
Scenario: Receiving a call or email from an unknown sender.
Example 1: “Hi, could you introduce yourself?”
Example 2: “Hello, could you introduce yourself so I know who I’m communicating with?”
Explanation: This is a friendly and formal way to request someone’s identity.
27. Who Is This Speaking?
Scenario: Answering a call from an unrecognized number.
Example 1: “Hello, who is this speaking?”
Example 2: “Hi, who is this speaking so I can properly address you?”
Explanation: This phrase is straightforward and respectful, suitable for various contexts.
28. What’s Your Identity?
Scenario: Responding to an email or message from an unknown sender.
Example 1: “Hi, what’s your identity?”
Example 2: “Hello, what’s your identity so I can understand the context?”
Explanation: This phrase is formal and can be used in professional communications.
29. Who Am I Talking With?
Scenario: Receiving an unexpected call.
Example 1: “Hi, who am I talking with?”
Example 2: “Hello, who am I talking with so I can address you correctly?”
Explanation: This phrase is clear and polite, making it suitable for various conversations.
30. Can You Tell Me Who This Is?
Scenario: Answering an unfamiliar call or message.
Example 1: “Hello, can you tell me who this is?”
Example 2: “Hi, can you tell me who this is so I can assist you?”
Explanation: This is a polite and straightforward way to ask for someone’s identity.
Conclusion:
Asking someone’s identity can be done in many ways, each suited to different levels of formality and context. By using these alternatives to “Who is this?” you can tailor your approach to fit the situation, whether it’s for a professional interaction or a casual conversation.
Hi! I’m Zadie-Smith, the author of Grammar Glides. I create easy-to-follow resources to help you master English grammar with confidence. Join me on my website for tips and tools to make your English learning journey smooth and enjoyable!
