Whom in question

Question

Is it really wrong to use "whom"? I just want to be formal.Whom is your father? Thank you so much

Avangi · Accepted Answer

AnonymousWhom is your father?

In this particular case, it would be incorrect. We're talking about the subject of the sentence, which calls strictly for the nominative, "who."
Your father is who.

Edit. That sounds confusing. "Father" is the subject, but the linking verb makes "who" the same nominative/subjective type, or "case." (It still sounds confusing!)

Modern English sometimes allows us to substitute "who" where traditional grammar calls for "whom,"
but it doesn't work the other way around. That is, we're not allowed to substitute "whom" where "who" is traditionally called for.

If you put it in a relative clause, the choice seems clear:
The man who is your father is coming to meet you.
The man ~~whom~~ is your father is coming to meet you.

BarbaraPA · Answer

Just to add what Avangi said, you won't sound formal; you'll simply sound wrong.

Avangi · Answer

Thanks, GG.  I made a mess of that!

Anonymous · Answer

AvangiEdit. That sounds confusing. "Father" is the subject, but the linking verb makes "who" the same nominative/subjective type, or "case." (It still sounds confusing!)

If I also provide the answers, then maybe "whom" can be correct.

Q1) Who is your father? (Who represents the subject)

A1) Peter Jackson is my father.

Q2) Whom is your father? (Whom represents the noun complement)

A2) My father is Peter Jackson.

Since the question words are different, so the answers are different as well.

Is it still considered wrong?

Thanks for your replies.

I can't wait to see your answers.

Avangi · Answer

AnonymousQ2) Whom is your father? (Whom represents the noun complement)

The linking verb acts like an equal sign in this structure.

A noun complement is still subjective. (Well, we say that in English, only pronouns have case.)

Who = father
Father = who

In order for a pronoun to be in objective case, it must function as an object.

Whom did my father really love?

My father really did love whom. "Whom" is the direct object of the verb "to love."

As a non-essential relative: "My father, who/whom I dearly loved, has been gone for many years."

This one drives me crazy.

The relative pronoun stands for "father," which is the subject of the sentence. So you might think we'd use the nominative "who."

But the function in the clause takes precedence, I believe. "I dearly loved whom." Object of the verb?

Anonymous · Answer

That's very explanatory. Thank you ever so much.

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