Are you confused about when to use “who” versus “whom” in your writing? You’re not alone. Many people struggle with these two words, but fear not! We’re here to clear up any confusion and help you use them correctly.
Let’s answer the question on everyone’s mind: which one is correct? The answer is that both “who” and “whom” are proper words in the English language, but they are used in different contexts. “Who” is used as a subject pronoun, while “whom” is used as an object pronoun.
So what does that mean? Essentially, “who” is used when referring to the person or people doing the action in a sentence, while “whom” is used when referring to the person or people receiving the action. For example:
- Who is going to the store? (referring to the person doing the action)
- Whom did you give the book to? (referring to the person receiving the action)
It’s important to note that “whom” is becoming less common in modern English, and in many cases, using “who” instead is perfectly acceptable.
Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s dive into the rest of the article and explore some common scenarios where “who” and “whom” are used.
Define Who
Who is a pronoun that is used to refer to people or animals with personalities. It is used as the subject of a sentence or clause, and is often used to ask questions about a person’s identity or role in a situation.
For example:
- Who is coming to the party?
- Who ate my sandwich?
- She is the one who won the race.
Define Whom
Whom is also a pronoun that is used to refer to people or animals with personalities. It is used as the object of a verb or preposition, and is often used to ask questions about a person’s identity or role in a situation.
For example:
- Whom did you invite to the party?
- With whom are you going to the concert?
- To whom should I address this letter?
It is important to note that whom is often considered more formal than who, and is used less frequently in modern English. In many cases, using who as the object of a verb or preposition is considered acceptable in casual or informal writing.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
Using the correct pronoun in a sentence can be tricky, especially when it comes to who and whom. Many people use these words interchangeably, but they actually have different grammatical functions. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use who and whom in a sentence.
How To Use “Who” In A Sentence
Who is a subjective pronoun, which means it is used as the subject of a sentence or clause. It is also used to refer to people. Here are some examples:
- Who is coming to the party tonight?
- Who wrote this book?
- Who is the new employee?
In these examples, who is used to ask a question or to refer to a person as the subject of the sentence.
How To Use “Whom” In A Sentence
Whom is an objective pronoun, which means it is used as the object of a sentence or clause. It is also used to refer to people. Here are some examples:
- To whom did you give the book?
- Whom did she invite to the party?
- Whom should I talk to about this issue?
In these examples, whom is used as the object of the sentence or clause. It is used to refer to a person who is receiving an action or to whom a question is being directed.
Remember, the key to using who and whom correctly is to determine whether the pronoun is being used as the subject or object of the sentence or clause. By following these guidelines, you can avoid common grammatical errors and communicate more effectively in your writing.
More Examples Of Who & Whom Used In Sentences
In order to fully understand the proper usage of who and whom in sentences, it is important to examine more examples of each.
Examples Of Using Who In A Sentence
- Who is the new employee in the marketing department?
- Do you know who is responsible for this mess?
- Who is going to the concert with you?
- Can you tell me who designed this building?
- Who is the lead actor in the new movie?
- Do you know who won the game last night?
- Who is the person sitting next to you?
- Can you tell me who wrote this song?
- Who is the CEO of this company?
- Do you know who I saw at the grocery store yesterday?
As seen in these examples, who is used as the subject of a sentence or clause.
Examples Of Using Whom In A Sentence
- Whom did you invite to the party?
- Do you know whom the letter is addressed to?
- With whom are you going to the conference?
- Whom did you speak to about this issue?
- For whom is this gift intended?
- Whom did you hire for the new position?
- Whom do you think should be the next president?
- To whom should I address this letter?
- With whom did you have dinner last night?
- Whom did you see at the party last weekend?
As seen in these examples, whom is used as the object of a verb or preposition in a sentence or clause.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using who and whom, it’s easy to get confused. Many people use these pronouns interchangeably, but doing so can lead to grammatical errors in your writing. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Mistake #1: Using “Who” When “Whom” Is Correct
One of the most common mistakes people make is using “who” instead of “whom” in situations where the latter is actually correct. “Whom” is used as the object of a verb or preposition, while “who” is used as the subject of a sentence. For example:
- Incorrect: Who should I give this to?
- Correct: Whom should I give this to?
In the correct version, “whom” is the object of the verb “give.”
Mistake #2: Using “Whom” When “Who” Is Correct
On the flip side, some people use “whom” when “who” is actually correct. This mistake is less common than the first one, but it’s still important to be aware of. “Who” is used as the subject of a sentence, while “whom” is used as the object of a verb or preposition. For example:
- Incorrect: Whom is going to the party?
- Correct: Who is going to the party?
In the correct version, “who” is the subject of the sentence.
Mistake #3: Using “Whom” In Informal Contexts
While “whom” is technically correct in many situations, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation or writing. In these cases, it’s often better to use “who” instead. For example:
- Incorrect: With whom did you go to the movies?
- Correct: Who did you go to the movies with?
In the correct version, “who” sounds more natural and less stilted.
Tips To Avoid These Mistakes
To avoid these common mistakes, it’s important to understand the difference between “who” and “whom.” Remember that “who” is used as the subject of a sentence, while “whom” is used as the object of a verb or preposition. If you’re unsure which one to use, try rephrasing the sentence to see which one sounds more natural. And if you’re still not sure, don’t be afraid to look it up!
Context Matters
When it comes to using “who” and “whom” correctly, context matters. The choice between the two pronouns depends on the grammatical role they play in a sentence.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Let’s take a look at some different contexts and how the choice between “who” and “whom” might change:
| Context | Example Sentence | Correct Pronoun Choice |
|---|---|---|
| Subject of a sentence | Who/whom is going to the party? | Who is going to the party? |
| Object of a verb | The teacher asked who/whom we should address our questions to. | The teacher asked whom we should address our questions to. |
| Object of a preposition | The award goes to who/whom? | The award goes to whom? |
In the first example, “who” is the correct choice because it is the subject of the sentence. In the second example, “whom” is correct because it is the object of the verb “address.” In the third example, “whom” is correct because it is the object of the preposition “to.”
It’s important to note that in informal speech, many people use “who” instead of “whom” in all contexts. However, in formal writing or in situations where proper grammar is expected, it’s important to use the correct pronoun.
Exceptions And Special Cases
When To Use Who Instead Of Whom
Although the rule is to use “whom” after a preposition, there are some cases where “who” is used instead. These include:
- When “who” is the subject of a verb
- When “who” is used in a non-restrictive clause
- When “who” is used as an interrogative pronoun
For example:
- Who is going to the party tonight?
- The man, who is my neighbor, is a doctor.
- Who is responsible for this mess?
When To Use Whom Instead Of Who
There are some cases where “whom” is used instead of “who”. These include:
- When “whom” is the object of a preposition
- When “whom” is used in a restrictive clause
For example:
- To whom did you give the book?
- The woman whom I met yesterday was very friendly.
Special Cases
There are a few special cases where the rules for using “who” and “whom” might not apply. These include:
| Case | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| After the verb “to be” | Use “who” if the pronoun refers to the subject of the sentence, and “whom” if it refers to the object | Who is going to the party tonight? The man whom I met yesterday is a doctor. |
| After “than” or “as” | Use “who” if the pronoun refers to the subject of the comparison, and “whom” if it refers to the object | She is taller than whom? She is taller than I am. |
| After a preposition at the end of a sentence | Use “who” or “whom” depending on whether the pronoun refers to the subject or object of the sentence | The letter was addressed to whom? The letter was addressed to her. |
Practice Exercises
Now that we have discussed the rules and examples of using “who” and “whom,” it’s time to put your knowledge to the test. Here are some practice exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these pronouns in sentences:
Exercise 1:
Choose the correct pronoun (who or whom) to complete the following sentences:
- ______ should I speak to about the job opening?
- ______ do you think will win the election?
- To ______ did you give the book?
- ______ is responsible for this mess?
- ______ did you invite to the party?
Answer Key:
- Whom
- Who
- Whom
- Who
- Whom
Explanation:
In the first sentence, “whom” is used because it is the object of the preposition “to.” In the second sentence, “who” is used because it is the subject of the verb “win.” In the third sentence, “whom” is used because it is the object of the verb “give.” In the fourth sentence, “who” is used because it is the subject of the verb “is responsible.” In the fifth sentence, “whom” is used because it is the object of the verb “invite.”
Exercise 2:
Rewrite the following sentences using the correct pronoun (who or whom):
- Who did you give the money to?
- Whom should I ask for help?
- Who is going to the concert with you?
- Whom did the teacher call on?
- Who are you going to the movies with?
Answer Key:
- To whom did you give the money?
- Whom should I ask for help?
- With whom are you going to the concert?
- Whom did the teacher call on?
- With whom are you going to the movies?
Explanation:
In the first sentence, “whom” is used because it is the object of the preposition “to.” In the third sentence, “whom” is used because it is the object of the preposition “with.” In the fifth sentence, “whom” is used because it is the object of the preposition “with.”
By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of “who” and “whom” in sentences. Remember to pay attention to the function of the pronoun in the sentence and use the correct form accordingly.
Conclusion
By now, it should be clear that the proper use of “who” and “whom” is an important part of English grammar. While it may seem like a small detail, using the wrong word can make a big difference in the clarity and accuracy of your writing. Here are some key takeaways to remember:
- “Who” is used as the subject of a sentence, while “whom” is used as the object.
- To determine whether to use “who” or “whom,” try replacing the word with “he” or “him” and see which one makes sense.
- If you’re still unsure, it’s generally safer to use “who,” as using “whom” incorrectly can sound more awkward than using “who” incorrectly.
Of course, there’s much more to grammar and language use than just “who” and “whom.” Whether you’re a native speaker or learning English as a second language, it’s always a good idea to continue improving your language skills. By reading widely, practicing writing, and seeking feedback from others, you can become a more effective communicator and a more confident user of the English language.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.