Who to Contact vs. Whom to Contact – Which is Correct?

The choice between who to contact and whom to contact hinges on a fundamental grammatical distinction: whether the pronoun functions as the subject or the object in a sentence or clause. In formal English, “whom” is correct when it acts as an object, typically after a preposition or as the direct object of a verb. “Who” is correct when it acts as the subject.

Who or Whom – Which is Correct?

Both “who” and “whom” are grammatically correct, but their usage depends on their role in a sentence. “Who” is a subjective pronoun, meaning it performs the action of a verb, much like “he,” “she,” or “they.” Conversely, “whom” is an objective pronoun, meaning it receives the action of a verb or is the object of a preposition, similar to “him,” “her,” or “them.” The confusion often arises because spoken English frequently defaults to “who,” even in objective contexts.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

The most effective trick to distinguish between “who” and “whom” is the “He/Him” Swap Test:

• If you can replace the word with “he” or “she,” then “who” is correct. (Both “he” and “who” end with an ‘e’ sound, often helping to remember the subject role.)
• If you can replace the word with “him” or “her,” then “whom” is correct. (Both “him” and “whom” end with an ‘m’ sound, helping to remember the object role.)

Example: “Who/Whom should I contact?”
Try the swap: “Should I contact him?” Since “him” fits, “Whom should I contact?” is formally correct.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Who	Subjective Pronoun	Refers to the person performing an action (the subject).	Who is responsible for this project? (He is responsible.)
Whom	Objective Pronoun	Refers to the person receiving an action or object of a preposition (the object).	Whom did you invite? (You invited him.) / To whom should I send this? (To him.)

How to Use Who

“Who” is an interrogative or relative pronoun used when referring to the subject of a verb. It asks or refers to the person performing the action. While generally less formal than “whom” in objective contexts, its use as a subject is always correct and standard. Using “who” incorrectly as an object is common in casual speech but should be avoided in formal writing to maintain precision.

Example 1: Who left the door open? (He left the door open.)

Example 2: She’s the artist who painted that mural. (She painted that mural.)

Example 3: Who do you think will win the election?

Etymology of the word Who

The word “who” traces its origins back to Old English, specifically “hwā,” which was an interrogative pronoun. It is a cognate with similar words in other Germanic languages (e.g., German “wer”). Over centuries, its form and usage have remained relatively stable as a primary interrogative and relative pronoun for people.

How to Use Whom

“Whom” is an interrogative or relative pronoun used when referring to the object of a verb or preposition. Its use is considered more formal and is often associated with correct grammatical precision, especially in written English. In modern casual conversation, “whom” is increasingly rare, with “who” often substituting for it even in objective roles. However, in formal contexts, legal documents, academic writing, and professional communications, the correct use of “whom” is expected.

Example 1: To whom should I address my concerns? (I should address my concerns to him.)

Example 2: Whom did the committee select for the award? (The committee selected him.)

Example 3: He is a writer whom I greatly admire. (I greatly admire him.)

Etymology of the word Whom

“Whom” also derives from Old English, specifically from the dative/accusative form “hwām” or “hwone” of the interrogative pronoun “hwā” (who). This historical distinction between subjective and objective cases for pronouns has persisted in English for “who” and “whom,” even as case distinctions for most nouns and other pronouns have largely disappeared.

Related Concepts

Understanding the broader grammatical concepts of pronouns and their cases can greatly clarify the distinction between “who” and “whom.”

• Subjective and Objective Case: Pronouns change form depending on whether they are performing an action (subjective case: I, he, she, we, they, who) or receiving an action or being the object of a preposition (objective case: me, him, her, us, them, whom).
• Interrogative and Relative Pronouns: “Who” and “whom” can function as interrogative pronouns (asking a question, e.g., “Who is coming?”) or relative pronouns (introducing a dependent clause, e.g., “The person whom I saw was tall.”).

Examples from Media and Literature

• “Ask not for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” – John Donne, Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions
• “Who are you to judge?” – Common idiom, often used in film and television.
• “To whom it may concern,” – Standard formal salutation in letters and emails.
• “He’s the detective who cracked the case.” – From a news report about a police investigation.
• “Whom do you serve?” – A line from a historical drama, emphasizing formality.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. ________ is responsible for ordering the supplies?
2. To ________ did you send the invitation?
3. She finally met the author ________ she had admired for years.
4. ________ should I contact regarding the technical issue?
5. The award will be given to ________ demonstrates the most improvement.

Answer Key

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

Who Synonyms

While “who” is a pronoun and doesn’t have direct synonyms in the same way a noun or verb does, here are some related terms and how they might relate to its function:

Synonym	Definition
Person	An individual human being; can be the subject of an action.
Individual	A single human being, distinct from a group.
Someone	An unspecified person; often used when the subject is unknown.

Whom Synonyms

Similar to “who,” “whom” is a pronoun and doesn’t have direct synonyms. However, these terms relate to its function in referring to an object:

Synonym	Definition
Person (object)	An individual human being, particularly when receiving an action or as the object of a preposition.
Individual (object)	A single human being, acting as the object of a verb or preposition.
Someone (object)	An unspecified person, when that person is the object of the verb or preposition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “whom” ever optional?
In very casual conversation, “whom” is often omitted, and “who” is used instead (e.g., “Who did you see?”). However, in formal writing and speech, using “whom” correctly is crucial for grammatical precision.

Question 2: Does the “whom” rule apply after prepositions?
Yes, absolutely. If a preposition (like “to,” “for,” “with,” “by”) precedes the pronoun, the objective case “whom” is always required (e.g., “To whom it may concern,” “For whom the bell tolls”).

Question 3: Why is “whom” disappearing from everyday speech?
Language evolves, and the distinction between subjective and objective case for pronouns like “who/whom” has become less prominent in spoken English. Many native speakers find “whom” to sound overly formal or archaic, leading to its decline in informal contexts.

Conclusion

The distinction between “who” and “whom” is a classic point of English grammar that highlights the difference between subjective and objective pronouns. While “who” acts as the subject, performing an action, “whom” acts as the object, receiving an action or following a preposition. Mastering the “He/Him” swap test can simplify this rule. In formal writing and professional communication, adhering to the correct usage of “whom” demonstrates a strong command of the language. Pro Tip: When in doubt in a formal setting, default to “whom” after a preposition, and if you can replace it with “him” or “her,” you’re likely correct. Incorrect usage can subtly detract from your professional reputation.