From Who vs. From Whom – Which is Correct?

The choice between “from who” and “from whom” hinges on formality and grammatical case. “From whom” is the grammatically correct and preferred form in formal writing and speech, as “whom” is the objective case pronoun used when it is the object of the preposition “from.” “From who” is widely used in informal contexts but is generally considered grammatically incorrect.

From Who or From Whom – Which is Correct?

The distinction between “from who” and “from whom” lies in the grammatical case of the interrogative pronoun. In English grammar, prepositions like “from” require an object in the objective case. “Whom” is the objective case form of “who,” meaning it should be used when it is the object of a verb or, as in this instance, the object of a preposition. “Who” is the subjective case, used when it is the subject of a verb. While “from who” is pervasive in casual conversation and increasingly accepted in informal contexts, “from whom” remains the standard in formal writing and speech.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To determine whether to use “who” or “whom” after a preposition like “from,” use the “he/him” swap test.

• If you can replace the pronoun with “him” (objective case), then “whom” is correct.
• If you can replace the pronoun with “he” (subjective case), then “who” is correct.

For example, consider the sentence: “From ____ did you receive the letter?”
You would answer, “I received the letter from him.” Since “him” fits, “whom” is the correct choice: “From whom did you receive the letter?”

This effective trick is broadly applicable to understanding the general distinction of “Who” vs. “Whom” in various grammatical contexts.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
from whom	Prepositional phrase (interrogative pronoun as object)	Indicates the source, origin, or agent in a formal context.	From whom did the instructions originate?
from who	Prepositional phrase (interrogative pronoun as object, informal)	Indicates the source, origin, or agent in an informal or colloquial context.	Who did you hear that from? (Common informal usage)

How to Use from who

“From who” is commonly heard in casual conversation and informal writing. While grammatically it places the subjective pronoun “who” as the object of the preposition “from,” which is technically incorrect by traditional prescriptive grammar rules, its usage has become widespread in spoken English. Many native speakers use “who” in all contexts, regardless of case, especially when the pronoun is positioned at the beginning of a question or when the preposition is stranded at the end of a sentence.

Example 1: “Who did you get that email from?” (Common informal usage, with “from” at the end)

Example 2: “From who are we expecting a call today?” (Less common but heard in very informal speech)

Example 3: “The person who I borrowed the book from is moving.” (Informal, “who” as object)

What are the different forms of from who?

As “from who” is a prepositional phrase involving an interrogative pronoun, it does not have different forms in the way verbs or nouns do (e.g., tenses, plurals). The pronoun “who” itself has a possessive form (“whose”) and an objective form (“whom”), but “from who” as a fixed phrase does not inflect.

Etymology of the word from who

The word “from” comes from Old English fram, meaning “forth, forward, from, by, in respect of.” “Who” derives from Old English hwa, an interrogative pronoun. The usage of “from who” reflects a natural linguistic evolution where the distinction between subjective “who” and objective “whom” has eroded in everyday speech, leading to “who” being used predominantly for both cases, especially when the pronoun initiates a question.

How to Use from whom

“From whom” is the grammatically correct construction when “whom” serves as the object of the preposition “from.” This usage is mandatory in formal writing, academic papers, professional correspondence, and speeches where adherence to traditional grammar rules is expected. Using “whom” correctly demonstrates a command of formal English and is often associated with a more educated or refined tone.

Example 1: “From whom did you receive authorization for this project?”

Example 2: “The committee requested a report from whom the initial proposal originated.”

Example 3: “To whom it may concern, I am writing to inquire from whom I should seek further assistance.”

What are the different forms of from whom?

Similar to “from who,” “from whom” is a prepositional phrase and does not have different forms. “Whom” is already the objective case of the pronoun “who,” and its usage after a preposition like “from” is its standard grammatical application.

Etymology of the word from whom

“Whom” also originates from the Old English hwam, which was the dative case of hwa (“who”). Over centuries, the dative and accusative cases merged into a single objective case in English. The retention of “whom” for the objective case, particularly after prepositions, is a remnant of this older grammatical structure, preserving a distinction that has largely disappeared for other pronouns (e.g., “I” vs. “me,” but not “he” vs. “him” in the same way for prepositions in informal speech).

Related Concepts

Understanding broader grammatical concepts can clarify why “from whom” is traditionally preferred over “from who.”

• Objective Case: This is the grammatical case for a noun or pronoun when it is the object of a verb or a preposition. For pronouns, this means using forms like “me,” “him,” “her,” “us,” “them,” and “whom.”
• Subjective Case: This is the grammatical case for a noun or pronoun when it is the subject of a verb. For pronouns, this means using forms like “I,” “he,” “she,” “we,” “they,” and “who.”
• Prepositions: Words like “from,” “to,” “with,” “for,” “by,” and “at” that introduce a phrase indicating time, place, direction, or other relationships. Prepositions always take an object, and that object should be in the objective case.
• Interrogative Pronouns: Pronouns used to ask questions, such as “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “which,” and “what.” Their case depends on their function within the sentence.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “I have often wondered from whom he inherited such a keen intellect.” (Formal literature)
• “To ask from whom the future will spring is to ask what new force will shape the world.” (Philosophical text)
• “The detective interviewed several witnesses, seeking to determine from whom the victim had received the threatening letter.” (Crime novel)
• “It is not about from whom the message came, but the message itself that matters.” (Academic essay)
• “We need to identify from whom these unauthorized transactions originated.” (Business report)

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. From ____ did you borrow the car?
2. Do you know ____ that package is from?
3. The letter arrived, but I couldn’t tell from ____ it had been sent.
4. ____ are you expecting to hear from regarding the job offer?
5. She asked, “From ____ should I expect a reply?”

Answer Key

1. Whom
2. Who
3. Whom
4. Whom
5. Whom

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “from who” ever grammatically acceptable?
While traditionally considered grammatically incorrect in formal English, “from who” is widely accepted and common in informal speech and writing. In very casual contexts, it might pass unnoticed, but it should be avoided in professional or academic settings.

Question 2: Why is “whom” used after “from”?
“Whom” is the objective case of the pronoun “who.” Prepositions, such as “from,” always take an object, and that object must be in the objective case. Therefore, “whom” is the grammatically correct form when it follows a preposition.

Question 3: How can I easily remember when to use “who” vs. “whom” after a preposition?
The easiest trick is the “he/him” test. If you can substitute “him” (objective case) into the sentence, then “whom” is correct. If “he” (subjective case) fits, then “who” is correct. Since you would say “from him,” then “from whom” is the correct choice.

Conclusion

The distinction between “from who” and “from whom” is a classic point of grammatical nuance in English. While “from who” is pervasive in everyday informal communication, “from whom” remains the steadfastly correct choice in formal contexts, adhering to the rule that pronouns acting as objects of prepositions must be in the objective case. Mastering this distinction not only demonstrates grammatical precision but also enhances your credibility in academic and professional settings.