who/whom

Question

I recently saw a sign that said “Awakening to who we truly are, through…(not sure what else it says). A friend of mine claims it should say “whom.” I say that “who” is grammatically correct because the object happens to be a clause, and the word “who” is not the object of the clause that contains it. Please settle this!

Perfect Stranger · Accepted Answer

Aspara Gus, perhaps my question will sound trivial to many but... How can I identify the subject in that sentence? I mean... how do I make sure that who is the subject?

RandomGuy · Answer

AnonymousI say that “who” is grammatically correct

You are right: who is the subject of the clause who we truly are, which is the object of the preposition to.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousI say that “who” is grammatically correct because the object happens to be a clause, and the word “who” is not the object of the clause that contains it.

And I say you're right.

By the way, "who" is neither the subject nor the object of that clause. It's a subject complement (or 'predicate nominative'). The subject is "we".

CJ

RandomGuy · Answer

CalifJimBy the way, "who" is neither the subject nor the object of that clause. It's a subject complement (or 'predicate nominative'). The subject is "we".

who we are

we are who

Of course!

Perfect StrangerHow can I identify the subject in that sentence? I mean... how do I make sure that who is the subject?

I was duped by the position of who. We is actually the subject.

who/whom

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions