Who vs. Whom: A Guide to Using These Pronouns Correctly

The English language can be tricky, and one of the most common mistakes people make is using the wrong pronoun when they're referring to someone. In particular, the pronouns "who" and "whom" can be confusing because they both refer to people, but they're used in different ways. In this article, we'll explain the difference between "who" and "whom" and provide some examples of how to use them correctly.

In general, "who" is used as a subject pronoun, while "whom" is used as an object pronoun. This means that "who" is used when the pronoun is performing the action in the sentence, while "whom" is used when the pronoun is receiving the action of the sentence.

who vs whom examples

Here are eight important points to remember when using "who" and "whom":

• Who is a subject pronoun.
• Whom is an object pronoun.
• Who performs the action.
• Whom receives the action.
• Use "who" when asking a question.
• Use "whom" in formal writing.
• Use "who" after prepositions.
• Use "whom" after "to be."

By following these rules, you can avoid making mistakes when using "who" and "whom." Remember, the key is to think about whether the pronoun is performing or receiving the action in the sentence.

Who is a subject pronoun.

A subject pronoun is a pronoun that performs the action in a sentence. In other words, it is the person, place, or thing that is doing something. The subject pronoun "who" is used when the pronoun is performing the action of the verb.

• Who is used when asking a question.
  

  For example, we might ask, "Who is going to the party?" In this question, "who" is the subject pronoun because it is performing the action of going to the party.

• Who is used after prepositions.
  

  A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the sentence. Some common prepositions are "to," "from," "with," "by," and "for." When "who" is used after a preposition, it is the subject pronoun because it is performing the action of the verb.

  For example, we might say, "The gift was given to who?" In this sentence, "who" is the subject pronoun because it is performing the action of receiving the gift.

• Who is used when the pronoun is followed by a verb.
  

  When "who" is followed by a verb, it is the subject pronoun because it is performing the action of the verb.

  For example, we might say, "Who won the race?" In this sentence, "who" is the subject pronoun because it is performing the action of winning the race.

• Who is used when the pronoun is followed by "to be."
  

  When "who" is followed by the verb "to be," it is the subject pronoun because it is identifying the person, place, or thing that is being described.

  For example, we might say, "Who is the president of the United States?" In this sentence, "who" is the subject pronoun because it is identifying the person who is the president of the United States.

By understanding when to use "who" as a subject pronoun, you can avoid making mistakes when using this pronoun in your writing and speaking.

Whom is an object pronoun.

An object pronoun is a pronoun that receives the action in a sentence. In other words, it is the person, place, or thing that is being acted upon. The object pronoun "whom" is used when the pronoun is receiving the action of the verb.

• Whom is used after prepositions.
  

  As we learned in the previous section, "who" is used after prepositions when it is the subject pronoun. However, when "who" is used after a preposition and it is receiving the action of the verb, then "whom" is used.

  For example, we might say, "The gift was given to whom?" In this sentence, "whom" is the object pronoun because it is receiving the action of being given the gift.

• Whom is used when the pronoun is preceded by a verb.
  

  When "whom" is preceded by a verb, it is the object pronoun because it is receiving the action of the verb.

  For example, we might say, "The teacher gave the book to whom?" In this sentence, "whom" is the object pronoun because it is receiving the action of being given the book.

• Whom is used when the pronoun is preceded by "to be."
  

  When "whom" is preceded by the verb "to be," it is the object pronoun because it is being identified as the person, place, or thing that is being described.

  For example, we might say, "To whom is the letter addressed?" In this sentence, "whom" is the object pronoun because it is being identified as the person to whom the letter is addressed.

• Whom is used in formal writing.
  

  While "who" is more common in everyday speech, "whom" is more common in formal writing. This is because "whom" is considered to be more grammatically correct.

  For example, we might write, "To whom it may concern" in a formal letter. However, we would more likely say, "Who is going to the party?" in everyday conversation.

By understanding when to use "whom" as an object pronoun, you can avoid making mistakes when using this pronoun in your writing and speaking.

Who performs the action.

As we learned in the previous section, "who" is a subject pronoun. This means that it is used when the pronoun is performing the action in a sentence. There are a few things to keep in mind when determining whether "who" is performing the action in a sentence:

• Look at the verb in the sentence.
  

  The verb is the word that describes the action in a sentence. If the verb is in the present tense, then "who" is usually the subject pronoun.

  For example, in the sentence "Who is going to the party?" the verb is "is going." This verb is in the present tense, so "who" is the subject pronoun and it is performing the action of going to the party.

• Look at the other words in the sentence.
  

  Sometimes, the other words in the sentence can help you determine whether "who" is performing the action. For example, if the sentence contains a prepositional phrase, then "who" is likely to be the subject pronoun if it is followed by the prepositional phrase.

  For example, in the sentence "Who did you give the book to?" the prepositional phrase is "to whom." This tells us that "who" is the subject pronoun and it is performing the action of giving the book.

• Think about the meaning of the sentence.
  

  If you're still not sure whether "who" is performing the action in a sentence, try to think about the meaning of the sentence. Does it make sense for "who" to be performing the action? If not, then "who" is probably not the subject pronoun.

  For example, in the sentence "Who was given the book?" it doesn't make sense for "who" to be performing the action of giving the book. Instead, "who" is the object pronoun and it is receiving the action of being given the book.

• Use "who" when asking a question.
  

  One easy way to remember when to use "who" is to think about whether you are asking a question. If you are asking a question, then you should use "who."

  For example, we might ask, "Who is going to the party?" or "Who did you give the book to?" In both of these questions, "who" is the subject pronoun and it is performing the action in the sentence.

By following these tips, you can avoid making mistakes when using "who" as a subject pronoun.

Whom receives the action.

As we learned in the previous section, "whom" is an object pronoun. This means that it is used when the pronoun is receiving the action in a sentence. There are a few things to keep in mind when determining whether "whom" is receiving the action in a sentence:

Look at the verb in the sentence.

The verb is the word that describes the action in a sentence. If the verb is in the past tense, then "whom" is usually the object pronoun.

For example, in the sentence "I gave the book to whom?" the verb is "gave." This verb is in the past tense, so "whom" is the object pronoun and it is receiving the action of being given the book.

Look at the other words in the sentence.

Sometimes, the other words in the sentence can help you determine whether "whom" is receiving the action. For example, if the sentence contains a prepositional phrase, then "whom" is likely to be the object pronoun if it is preceded by the prepositional phrase.

For example, in the sentence "To whom did you give the book?" the prepositional phrase is "to whom." This tells us that "whom" is the object pronoun and it is receiving the action of being given the book.

Think about the meaning of the sentence.

If you're still not sure whether "whom" is receiving the action in a sentence, try to think about the meaning of the sentence. Does it make sense for "whom" to be receiving the action? If not, then "whom" is probably not the object pronoun.

For example, in the sentence "Whom was given the book?" it doesn't make sense for "whom" to be performing the action of giving the book. Instead, "whom" is the object pronoun and it is receiving the action of being given the book.

Use "whom" in formal writing.

While "whom" is not as common as "who" in everyday speech, it is more common in formal writing. This is because "whom" is considered to be more grammatically correct.

For example, we might write, "To whom it may concern" in a formal letter. However, we would more likely say, "Who is going to the party?" in everyday conversation.

Whom examples:

By following these tips, you can avoid making mistakes when using "whom" as an object pronoun.

Use "who" when asking a question.

One easy way to remember when to use "who" is to think about whether you are asking a question. If you are asking a question, then you should use "who." This is because "who" is the subject pronoun, and subject pronouns are used to perform the action in a sentence. Questions are a type of sentence in which the subject performs the action of asking the question.

Here are some examples of questions that use "who":

• Who is going to the party?
• Who did you see at the store?
• Who is the president of the United States?
• Who wrote this book?
• Who is your favorite actor?

In each of these questions, "who" is the subject pronoun and it is performing the action of asking the question.

It is important to note that you should not use "whom" in a question. "Whom" is an object pronoun, and object pronouns are used to receive the action in a sentence. Questions are a type of sentence in which the subject performs the action, so you should always use "who" in a question.

Here are some examples of incorrect questions that use "whom":

• Whom is going to the party?
• Whom did you see at the store?
• Whom is the president of the United States?
• Whom wrote this book?
• Whom is your favorite actor?

In each of these questions, "whom" is used incorrectly because it is an object pronoun and it is being used to perform the action of asking the question. The correct way to ask these questions is to use "who" instead of "whom."

By following these tips, you can avoid making mistakes when using "who" and "whom" in questions.

Remember, the key is to think about whether the pronoun is performing or receiving the action in the sentence. If the pronoun is performing the action, then use "who." If the pronoun is receiving the action, then use "whom." This rule applies to all types of sentences, including questions.

Use "whom" in formal writing.

While "who" is more common than "whom" in everyday speech, "whom" is more common in formal writing. This is because "whom" is considered to be more grammatically correct.

• "Whom" is used after prepositions.
  

  As we learned in a previous section, "who" is used after prepositions when it is the subject pronoun. However, when "who" is used after a preposition and it is receiving the action of the verb, then "whom" is used.

  For example, we might write, "To whom it may concern" in a formal letter. In this sentence, "whom" is used after the preposition "to" and it is receiving the action of being concerned.

• "Whom" is used when the pronoun is preceded by a verb.
  

  When "whom" is preceded by a verb, it is the object pronoun and it is receiving the action of the verb.

  For example, we might write, "The teacher gave the book to whom?" In this sentence, "whom" is preceded by the verb "gave" and it is receiving the action of being given the book.

• "Whom" is used when the pronoun is preceded by "to be."
  

  When "whom" is preceded by the verb "to be," it is the object pronoun and it is being identified as the person, place, or thing that is being described.

  For example, we might write, "To whom is the letter addressed?" In this sentence, "whom" is preceded by the verb "is addressed" and it is being identified as the person to whom the letter is addressed.

• "Whom" is used in formal writing.
  

  As we mentioned earlier, "whom" is more common in formal writing than in everyday speech. This is because "whom" is considered to be more grammatically correct.

  For example, we might write, "To whom it may concern" in a formal letter. However, we would more likely say, "Who is going to the party?" in everyday conversation.

By following these tips, you can use "whom" correctly in formal writing.

Use "who" after prepositions.

A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the sentence. Some common prepositions are "to," "from," "with," "by," and "for."

When "who" is used after a preposition, it is usually the subject pronoun. This means that it is performing the action in the sentence.

Here are some examples of how to use "who" after prepositions:

• To whom should I address the letter?

In this sentence, "to" is the preposition and "whom" is the subject pronoun. "Whom" is performing the action of addressing the letter.

In this sentence, "from" is the preposition and "whom" is the subject pronoun. "Whom" is performing the action of receiving the package.

In this sentence, "with" is the preposition and "whom" is the subject pronoun. "Whom" is performing the action of going to the dance.

In this sentence, "by" is the preposition and "whom" is the subject pronoun. "Whom" is performing the action of writing the book.

In this sentence, "for" is the preposition and "whom" is the subject pronoun. "Whom" is performing the action of buying the gift.

It is important to note that you should not use "whom" after a preposition if it is the object pronoun. The object pronoun is used when the pronoun is receiving the action in the sentence. In this case, you should use "who" instead of "whom."

Here are some examples of incorrect sentences that use "whom" after a preposition:

• To whom did you give the book?
• From whom did you receive the letter?
• With whom did you go to the movies?
• By whom was this song written?
• For whom are you making dinner?

In each of these sentences, "whom" is used incorrectly because it is the object pronoun and it is being used after a preposition. The correct way to write these sentences is to use "who" instead of "whom."

By following these tips, you can avoid making mistakes when using "who" and "whom" after prepositions.

Use "whom" after "to be."

The verb "to be" is a special verb that can be used to link a subject pronoun to a noun or adjective. When "whom" is used after "to be," it is usually the object pronoun. This means that it is receiving the action of the verb.

Here are some examples of how to use "whom" after "to be":

• To whom is this letter addressed?

In this sentence, "to be" is the verb and "whom" is the object pronoun. "Whom" is receiving the action of being addressed.

In this sentence, "to be" is the verb and "whom" is the object pronoun. "Whom" is receiving the action of being spoken to.

In this sentence, "to be" is the verb and "whom" is the object pronoun. "Whom" is receiving the action of being spoken to.

In this sentence, "to be" is the verb and "whom" is the object pronoun. "Whom" is receiving the action of being owed success.

In this sentence, "to be" is the verb and "whom" is the object pronoun. "Whom" is receiving the action of being given the gift.

It is important to note that you should not use "who" after "to be." "Who" is the subject pronoun, and it should only be used when the pronoun is performing the action in the sentence.

Here are some examples of incorrect sentences that use "who" after "to be":

• Who is this letter addressed to?
• It was to who that I spoke.
• The person to who I am speaking is my friend.
• He is the one to who I owe my success.
• To who should I give the gift?

In each of these sentences, "who" is used incorrectly because it is the subject pronoun and it is being used after "to be." The correct way to write these sentences is to use "whom" instead of "who."

By following these tips, you can avoid making mistakes when using "who" and "whom" after "to be."

FAQ

Introduction:

Have more questions about "who"? Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) and their answers to help you understand the usage of "who" better.

Question 1: When should I use "who"?

Answer 1: Use "who" when the pronoun is performing the action in the sentence. This means that "who" is the subject of the verb.

Question 2: What are some examples of how to use "who"?

Answer 2: Here are some examples of how to use "who":

• Who is going to the party?
• Who did you see at the store?
• Who is the president of the United States?
• Who wrote this book?
• Who is your favorite actor?

Question 3: What is the difference between "who" and "whom"?

Answer 3: "Who" is a subject pronoun, while "whom" is an object pronoun. This means that "who" is used when the pronoun is performing the action in the sentence, while "whom" is used when the pronoun is receiving the action of the verb.

Question 4: When should I use "whom"?

Answer 4: Use "whom" when the pronoun is receiving the action in the sentence. This means that "whom" is the object of the verb.

Question 5: What are some examples of how to use "whom"?

Answer 5: Here are some examples of how to use "whom":

• To whom should I address the letter?
• From whom did you receive the package?
• With whom are you going to the dance?
• By whom was this book written?
• For whom are you buying the gift?

Question 6: Can I use "who" and "whom" interchangeably?

Answer 6: No, you cannot use "who" and "whom" interchangeably. "Who" is a subject pronoun, while "whom" is an object pronoun. You should use "who" when the pronoun is performing the action in the sentence, and you should use "whom" when the pronoun is receiving the action of the verb.

Closing Paragraph:

I hope these FAQs have been helpful in answering your questions about "who." If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask.

Now that you know more about "who," here are some tips for using it correctly in your writing and speaking.

Tips

Introduction:

Here are some practical tips to help you use "who" correctly in your writing and speaking:

Tip 1: Remember that "who" is a subject pronoun.

This means that "who" is used when the pronoun is performing the action in the sentence. A good way to remember this is to ask yourself if you can replace "who" with "he," "she," or "they." If you can, then you should use "who." For example, you would say, "Who is going to the party?" instead of "Whom is going to the party?"

Tip 2: Use "who" after prepositions.

A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the sentence. Some common prepositions are "to," "from," "with," "by," and "for." When "who" is used after a preposition, it is usually the subject pronoun. For example, you would say, "To whom should I address the letter?" instead of "To whom should I address the letter?"

Tip 3: Use "who" when asking a question.

This is an easy way to remember when to use "who." If you are asking a question, then you should use "who." For example, you would say, "Who is going to the party?" instead of "Whom is going to the party?"

Tip 4: Use "who" in formal writing.

While "who" is more common in everyday speech, "whom" is more common in formal writing. This is because "whom" is considered to be more grammatically correct. For example, you might write, "To whom it may concern" in a formal letter. However, you would more likely say, "Who is going to the party?" in everyday conversation.

Closing Paragraph:

By following these tips, you can avoid making mistakes when using "who" in your writing and speaking. Remember, the key is to think about whether the pronoun is performing or receiving the action in the sentence. If the pronoun is performing the action, then use "who." If the pronoun is receiving the action, then use "whom."

Now that you know how to use "who" correctly, let's take a look at some examples of how it is used in everyday speech and writing.

Conclusion

Summary of Main Points:

In this article, we have learned about the pronoun "who." We have learned that "who" is a subject pronoun, which means that it is used when the pronoun is performing the action in the sentence. We have also learned that "who" is used after prepositions and when asking a question. Finally, we have learned that "who" is more common in everyday speech, while "whom" is more common in formal writing.

Closing Message:

I hope that this article has been helpful in teaching you how to use "who" correctly. Remember, the key is to think about whether the pronoun is performing or receiving the action in the sentence. If the pronoun is performing the action, then use "who." If the pronoun is receiving the action, then use "whom." By following these simple tips, you can avoid making mistakes when using "who" in your writing and speaking.

So, the next time you are writing or speaking, take a moment to think about whether you should use "who" or "whom." By doing this, you can ensure that you are using the correct pronoun and that your writing and speaking is clear and concise.

Thank you for reading!