it is I who/that /whom

Question

Hi teachers,Can I say?: It was I who/that  saw the accident It was I who/whom/that they  want to seeCould you possibly tell me who or whom or that is the most usual?Thank you in advance

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I'm also an english learner and just took my TOEFL test about 15 days ago but I guess I can help you.

Both "who" and "that" are used as relative pronouns that refer to a subject.

"Whom" is a relative pronoun that refers to an object.

For example:

She is the girl that helped me yesterday. (That substitutes "she", the subject: She helped me yesterday.)

This is the guy whom I lived with. (Whom substitutes "him", the object. I lived with him.)

The women who live here are hectic all the time. (Who substitutes "they", "the women", the subject: They live here and they are hectic.)

When in doubt, try to change the words position in order to separate the sentences so you can differ object pronouns from subject pronouns.

I suppose "that" can be used in both "subject" and "object" cases.

Hope I have helped you out,

Kesia

CalifJim · Answer

Tuongvanthe most usual

You are asking here about what is the most usual. In that case, I have to say that none of them is very usual at all. To express those thoughts, at least where I live, we say
I'm the one who saw the accident.
I'm the one they want to see.
Those are the most usual ways to say what you want.
CJ

Tuongvan · Answer

Thank you Califjim very much

By the way, Could you tell me whether I say say like this?:

He is the very man who/that has helped me learn English

Thank you in advance

CalifJim · Answer

TuongvanHe is the very man who/that has helped me learn English

Yes, you can say it like that.
Or: He's the man who helped me learn English.
CJ

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