Who vs. Whom – Which is Correct?
The distinction between who and whom hinges on their grammatical role: who functions as a subject pronoun (like “he” or “she”), while whom functions as an object pronoun (like “him” or “her”). Both are grammatically correct in American English, but their usage depends on whether the pronoun is performing the action or receiving it.
Who or Whom – Which is Correct?
Both “who” and “whom” are grammatically correct pronouns in American English, but they are not interchangeable. The choice between them depends entirely on their function within a sentence. Who acts as the subject of a verb, meaning it performs the action. Conversely, whom acts as the object of a verb or a preposition, meaning it receives the action or is governed by a preposition.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
The easiest and most reliable way to determine whether to use “who” or “whom” is the “He/Him” swap test. If you can replace the pronoun in question with he or she, then who is the correct choice. If you can replace it with him or her, then whom is correct.
For example:
- “Who is coming to the party?” (Can be answered with “He is coming” or “She is coming.”)
- “To whom did you give the gift?” (Can be answered with “I gave it to him” or “I gave it to her.”)
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who | Pronoun | Refers to a person or people; acts as the subject of a verb. | Who wrote this amazing story? |
| Whom | Pronoun | Refers to a person or people; acts as the object of a verb or preposition. | To whom are you speaking? |
How to Use Who
Who is a subject pronoun, meaning it performs the action of a verb. It is used when referring to a person or people. It can function as an interrogative pronoun (asking a question) or a relative pronoun (introducing a subordinate clause that provides more information about a noun).
While “whom” is technically correct in object positions, “who” is often used informally in these contexts in modern spoken English. However, in formal writing and speech, adhering to the subject/object distinction is important.
Example 1: Who wants to go to the park this afternoon?
Example 2: The artist who painted that mural is incredibly talented.
Example 3: My brother, who lives in Seattle, is visiting next week.
What are the different forms of Who?
“Who” is primarily known for its nominative (subject) case. Its objective case is “whom,” and its possessive case is “whose.” These three forms are derived from the same root but serve distinct grammatical functions. Unlike verbs or nouns, “who” does not change for tense or pluralization in the typical sense; its forms indicate its grammatical role in a sentence.
Etymology of the word Who
The word “who” traces its origins back to Old English, specifically “hwā.” This Old English term was a masculine and feminine interrogative and relative pronoun. It is part of a larger family of “wh-” words in English (such as “what,” “where,” “when,” “why”) that share a common Germanic root, ultimately stemming from Proto-Indo-European. Over centuries, its usage evolved to specifically denote the subject form when referring to persons.
How to Use Whom
Whom is an object pronoun, meaning it receives the action of a verb or is governed by a preposition. Its usage signals a more formal tone and is less common in everyday spoken English, where “who” often substitutes for “whom” even in object positions. However, in formal writing, academic contexts, and legal documents, the correct use of “whom” is still expected.
It is most commonly found after a preposition (e.g., “to whom,” “with whom,” “for whom”) or as the direct object of a verb.
Example 1: To whom should I address this formal letter?
Example 2: The committee members debated whom they should nominate for the award.
Example 3: He spoke with his colleague, with whom he had a long-standing professional relationship.
What are the different forms of Whom?
“Whom” is the objective case of the pronoun “who,” meaning it is the form used when the pronoun is the object of a verb or a preposition. As an objective pronoun itself, “whom” does not have further forms or inflections for tense, number, or degree of comparison. Its possessive counterpart is “whose,” and its subjective counterpart is “who.”
Etymology of the word Whom
The word “whom” also derives from Old English, specifically from the dative and accusative forms of “hwā,” such as “hwone” (accusative) and “hwæm” (dative). These forms indicated the object of a verb or preposition. As English evolved, the distinct case endings largely disappeared, but “whom” persisted as the designated objective form, maintaining a vestige of the older grammatical system in modern English.
Related Concepts
Understanding broader grammatical concepts, particularly pronoun cases, can significantly clarify the correct usage of “who” and “whom.”
- Subject vs. Object Pronouns: English pronouns change form depending on whether they are performing an action (subject) or receiving an action (object). For example, “I” is a subject pronoun, while “me” is an object pronoun. Similarly, “he” is a subject, “him” is an object; “she” is a subject, “her” is an object. “Who” and “whom” follow this same pattern, with “who” being the subject form and “whom” the object form.
- Prepositions: Prepositions (such as “to,” “with,” “for,” “by,” “about”) always take an object. This means that any pronoun immediately following a preposition must be in the objective case. Therefore, you will always use “whom” after a preposition, never “who.” For example, “to whom,” “with whom,” “for whom.”
Examples from Media and Literature
- “Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.” – Ernest Hemingway, For Whom the Bell Tolls
- “Who wants to live forever?” – Queen, “Who Wants to Live Forever”
- “The man whom I met at the conference was a renowned scientist.”
- “To whom it may concern:” – A common formal salutation in letters.
- “You are the person who always makes me laugh.”
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
- (Who/Whom) is responsible for organizing the event?
- To (who/whom) did you address the complaint?
- She is the student (who/whom) won the scholarship.
- (Who/Whom) did you invite to the dinner party?
- With (who/whom) are you planning to collaborate on this project?
Answer Key
- Who
- Whom
- Who
- Whom
- Whom
Who Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| What person (interrogative) | Used to ask about the identity of a person or people. |
| The person/people that (relative) | Used to introduce a clause referring to a person or people. |
Whom Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| What person (objective interrogative) | Used to ask about the identity of a person or people, when that person is the object of a verb or preposition. |
| The person/people that (objective relative) | Used to introduce a clause referring to a person or people, when that person is the object of a verb or preposition. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “whom” becoming obsolete?
While “whom” is used less frequently in casual conversation and informal writing today, especially compared to “who,” it is not obsolete. It remains essential in formal contexts, academic writing, and legal documents where precise grammatical distinctions are valued. Its decline is more in spoken language than in formal written English.
Question 2: Can I always use “who” instead of “whom”?
In very informal speech, many native English speakers do use “who” in place of “whom” without causing significant misunderstanding. However, this is not grammatically correct in formal settings. In formal writing and whenever a preposition precedes the pronoun, “whom” is the unequivocally correct choice. Using “who” in such instances would be considered a grammatical error.
Question 3: How does “whose” fit in?
“Whose” is the possessive form of both “who” and “whom.” It indicates ownership or belonging. For example, “Whose book is this?” or “The author whose novel won the prize.” It functions similarly to other possessive pronouns like “his” or “hers” and can refer to both people and things, although some grammarians prefer “of which” for things.
Conclusion
Mastering the distinction between “who” and “whom” is a hallmark of precise and formal English communication. Remember the core rule: who is for subjects (performing the action, like “he” or “she”), and whom is for objects (receiving the action or following a preposition, like “him” or “her”). While casual usage may often blur this line, adhering to the correct grammatical roles enhances clarity and professionalism in all forms of communication. Pro Tip: Correctly using “who” and “whom” demonstrates attention to detail and a strong command of language, which can significantly bolster your professional reputation.
