Who/whom

Question

When is it correct to use "who" and when is it correct to use "whom?" What are the exact rules of engagement here?

Regards · Accepted Answer

Hi,

No doubt this is a matter which many people have difficulties understanding it.

Both who and whom are pronouns. The broad idea is that you should use who while referring to

the subject of a clause, whereas you should use whom while referring to the object of a clause.

The subject is the person that does the action, and the object is something that is being affected by

this action. In the sentence 'She is opening the door' - she is the subject, and the door is the object.

Let's take a few examples.

1. I saw her at the office. Do you ask 'Who did I see?' or 'Whom did I see?'

I'm asking about the object, her, and therefore I should use whom.

In practice, however, people might as well say who.

2. I bought a new car. Do you ask 'Who bought a new car?' or 'Whom bought a new car?'

I'm asking about the subject, I, and therefore I should use who.

3. I'm writing a letter to my friend who I spent the last night with. Why did I say who if I was talking about

the object, my friend? It's a good question. In fact, I should've written whom, but then the sentence

would become more formal. 'I'm writing a letter to my friend with whom I spent the last night' -

This is more likely to be said on formal occasions.

If in doubt, try to replace the object of the clause with he or him, and see if the clause still makes sense.

If you can replace it with him, then you should use whom; if you can replace it with he, then you should

use who. Let's apply this vague rule to the following:

Do you say 'Who did I choose?' or 'Whom did I choose?'

Do you say 'I chose he' or 'I chose him''? I assume we'd both say 'I chose him'. Thus, you should use whom -

'Whom did I choose?'

Of course this is just the general idea, and people might argue with you whether to use who or whom

in a particular clause. However, you should now know the bare essentials.

Regards

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousWhen is it correct to use "who" and when is it correct to use "whom?"

Use whom after a preposition and when an object of a verb; otherwise, use who.

Or, stated differently, use who as a subject or subject complement; otherwise use whom.

See

CJ

Regards · Answer

Hi,

May we all use these rules in practice!

Regards

Who/whom

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