Key Takeaways
- Who is used as the subject of a sentence, performing actions directly.
- Whom functions as the object of a verb or preposition, receiving the action.
- Knowing the grammatical roles helps determine proper usage in complex sentences.
- In modern speech, many tend to use “who” in all cases, but formal writing requires correct distinctions.
- Understanding “who” vs “whom” avoids common grammar mistakes in writing and speaking.
What is Who?
Who is a pronoun that refers to the subject of a sentence, the doer of an action. Although incomplete. It’s used to identify people performing tasks or being described.
Subject of a sentence
When someone is performing an action, “who” is placed at the beginning or after the verb. It points to the person doing the activity.
Replacing people in questions
In questions, “who” asks about the person responsible or involved. It helps clarify identities in inquiries.
Used in relative clauses
“Who” introduces clauses that describe or specify a person. It links additional information about the subject.
In casual speech
People use “who” instead of “whom,” especially when speaking informally. Formal contexts demand correct forms.
What is Whom?
Whom is a pronoun that acts as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to the person receiving an action or being affected.
Object of a verb
When someone are receiving an action, “whom” is used after the verb to indicate the person impacted.
Object of a preposition
After prepositions like “to,” “for,” or “with,” “whom” shows the person connected to the prepositional phrase.
Formal writing standards
In formal writing, “whom” is preferred in cases where the pronoun is the object, avoiding the casual use of “who.”
In complex sentences
“Whom” appears in longer sentences, especially when multiple clauses are involved. Correct usage enhances clarity and professionalism.
Comparison Table
Here is a detailed table contrasting “who” and “whom” across different contexts and grammatical roles:
| Aspect | Who | Whom |
|---|---|---|
| Subject role | Performs actions, like “Who is coming?” | Not used in subject position |
| Object role | Not used as object | Receives actions, as in “To whom did you speak?” |
| Prepositional phrase | Rarely used after prepositions | Common after prepositions like “for,” “with” |
| Formal writing | Less strict, replaced by “who” | Preferred in formal contexts |
| Question formation | “Who is at the door?” | “Whom did you see?” |
| Relative clauses | “The person who called.” | “The person whom I called.” |
| Pronoun case | Nominative case | Objective case |
| Usage in sentences | Subject of a verb | Object of a verb or preposition |
| Common mistake | Using “whom” as subject | Misplacing “who” in object position |
Key Differences
- Grammatical role is clearly visible in “who” acting as subject and “whom” as object.
- Position in sentence revolves around whether the pronoun is at the beginning or end of clauses.
- Formal vs informal usage is noticeable when “whom” is replaced by “who” in speech.
- Case form relates to pronoun case, where “who” is nominative, and “whom” is objective.
FAQs
Can “who” ever be used as an object in a sentence?
In casual speech, people sometimes incorrectly use “who” as an object, but grammatically, “whom” should be used when it functions as an object. However, many native speakers ignore this rule in everyday conversation.
Is “whom” becoming obsolete in modern language?
Yes, in informal settings, “whom” is less frequently used, replaced by “who” in many cases. Despite this, in formal writing, “whom” remains correct and preferred.
Are there any exceptions where “whom” are not used even in formal writing?
Typically, in questions and relative clauses, “whom” is expected, but sometimes, especially in spoken language, “who” can be accepted, though it’s considered less grammatically precise.
How can I easily determine whether to use “who” or “whom”?
A handy trick is to rephrase the sentence using “he” or “him.” If “he” fits, then “who” is correct; if “him” fits, then “whom” should be used. This helps avoid confusion during editing or writing.
Although incomplete.
Last Updated : 06 May, 2025
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.