Who are you or who you are?

Question

Which one is correct?May I know who are you?May I know who you are?Who are you?Who you are?I think "May I know who you are?" and "Who are you?" are correct. "Who are you?" is obvious, but is there any rule to explain why "May I know who you are?" is correct (if it's really correct). Thanks.

Hmea1 · Accepted Answer

You are right; "May I know who you are?" and "Who are you?" are correct.

"May I know who you are?" is correct. This is speculation on my behalf, but perhaps the words in, "May I know who you are?" are in that order because it is a subjunctive statement? The subjunctive mood is used to express doubt or uncertainty and when it is used a word usually gets modified in a sentence. "May I know who you are?" expresses doubt as to whether the person being asked will actually tell the one asking the question who he or she is (he or she could refuse to say after all). Thus the subjunctive form of the question. Alternatively, you could also ask, "Might I know who you are?" Along with "may," the word "might" is another word that usually signals when to use the subjunctive mood.

Dimsumexpress · Answer

hmea1You are right; "May I know who you are?" and ~~"Who are you?~~" are correct.

No, only " who you are " is correct.

The question has nothing to do with being subjunctive. " Who are you ?" is a direct question.
whereas, "Can you tell me who you are ?" is an indirect question.

Likewise, many indirect questions in this form hold true:
Can you tell me what time it is ? Not is it
I Like to know where she lives ? Not where does she live
I don't know what she likes. Not what does she like?

Salisa Ayyun · Answer

Im asking someone "may i know who you are? " and my friend said it was wrong, she said i shouldn't said that, she said the correct sentence is "may i know who are you?" because im asking to human, but idk how to explain it to her, she keep arguing with me and said i was wrong..  Help me :")

Who are you or who you are?

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