Grammar – Correct Version: ‘Who’s Side’ or ‘Whose’s Side’?

grammarpossessive-pronounsspelling

Which one is correct in this case?

  1. I need to hear both sides of the story to know who's side I'm on.

  2. I need to hear both sides of the story to know whose side I'm on.

I have seen both versions on the Internet but not sure which one is correct.
First example: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DwzA-bJWwAEdQhR.jpg:large
Second example: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/whose-side-im-on/id252435454

Best Answer

Who's is the contraction of who is. It follows the same pattern as it's being a contraction of it is.

Therefore, the first sentence actually says:

✘ I need to hear both sides of the story to know who is side I'm on.

That doesn't make any sense. Nor would:

✘ It is door is broken.

Whose is the possessive of who, just as its is the possessive of it.

So, this is the correct version of the sentence:

✔ I need to hear both sides of the story to know whose side I'm on.

Just as this is correct:

✔ Its door is broken.

Updated: As noted in a comment, who's can also be a contraction for who has. However, that would also make the sentence incorrect, since who has side I'm on is just as wrong as who is side I'm on.

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