What Is The Difference Between Who And Whom

Deciding between "who" and "whom" can be tricky, even for native English speakers. These words, both pronouns, serve different grammatical functions, and understanding the distinction is key to writing clear and grammatically correct sentences. While "whom" is becoming less common in informal speech, mastering its proper use demonstrates a strong command of the English language, especially in formal writing.

The Basics: "Who" vs. "Whom"

The core difference lies in their grammatical role within a sentence. Think of "who" as the subjective case pronoun and "whom" as the objective case pronoun.

Who: Functions as the subject of a verb. It performs the action.
Whom: Functions as the object of a verb or a preposition. It receives the action.

Let's illustrate this with simple examples:

Who went to the store? ("Who" is the subject, performing the action of "went.")
To whom did you give the book? ("Whom" is the object of the preposition "to.")

The "He/Him" Test: A Practical Trick

A reliable method to determine whether to use "who" or "whom" is the "he/him" test. Substitute "who" with "he" or "she" and "whom" with "him" or "her." If the sentence sounds correct with "he" or "she," then "who" is the right choice. If "him" or "her" sounds better, use "whom."

Let's apply this test to our previous examples:

Who went to the store? "He went to the store." (Sounds correct, so "who" is correct.)
To whom did you give the book? "You gave the book to him." (Sounds correct, so "whom" is correct.)

Here's another example:

Who/Whom do you think will win the election?

Let's try the test:

"He will win the election." (Sounds correct)
"Him will win the election." (Sounds incorrect)

Therefore, the correct sentence is: Who do you think will win the election?

Deep Dive: Subject vs. Object

To solidify your understanding, let's delve deeper into the concepts of subjects and objects in sentences.

Subject: The subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action of the verb. It's what the sentence is about.
- Example: The dog barked loudly. (The dog is the subject; it's doing the barking.)
Object: The object receives the action of the verb (direct object) or is the recipient of a preposition (object of a preposition).
- Direct Object: The noun or pronoun that receives the direct action of the verb.
  - Example: She kicked the ball. (The ball is the direct object; it's what she kicked.)
- Object of a Preposition: The noun or pronoun that follows a preposition and is governed by it.
  - Example: He gave the gift to her. (Her is the object of the preposition "to.")

Understanding these roles is crucial for correctly identifying when to use "who" or "whom."

Common Scenarios and Examples

Let's explore various scenarios and examples to further illustrate the correct usage of "who" and "whom."

1. "Who" as the Subject of a Clause:

In this case, "who" introduces a clause where it acts as the subject of the verb within that clause.

Example: The woman who lives next door is a doctor. ("Who" is the subject of the verb "lives" within the clause "who lives next door.")
Example: I need to find someone who can fix my computer. ("Who" is the subject of the verb "can fix" within the clause "who can fix my computer.")

2. "Whom" as the Direct Object of a Verb:

"Whom" is used when it directly receives the action of the verb.

Example: Whom did you see at the party? ("Whom" is the direct object of the verb "see." You saw whom?)
Example: The author whom everyone admires is giving a lecture tonight. ("Whom" is the direct object of the verb "admires." Everyone admires whom?)

3. "Whom" as the Object of a Preposition:

This is perhaps the most common situation where "whom" is required. It follows a preposition such as to, for, with, by, at, from, or of.

Example: To whom are you speaking? ("Whom" is the object of the preposition "to.")
Example: With whom did you travel to Europe? ("Whom" is the object of the preposition "with.")
Example: The award was given to the student whom the faculty admired most. ("Whom" is the object of the preposition understood before "the faculty admired most," essentially meaning "by whom the faculty admired most.")
Example: Of whom were you speaking? ("Whom" is the object of the preposition "of.")
Example: For whom did you buy this gift? ("Whom" is the object of the preposition "for.")

4. Relative Clauses:

Relative clauses provide additional information about a noun. "Who" and "whom" (and "that" and "which") can introduce these clauses. The choice between "who" and "whom" depends on their function within the relative clause.

Example (Who): The man who helped me was very kind. ("Who" is the subject of the verb "helped" within the relative clause "who helped me.")
Example (Whom): The woman whom I interviewed was highly qualified. ("Whom" is the direct object of the verb "interviewed" within the relative clause "whom I interviewed." I interviewed whom?)
Example (Whom): The candidate to whom the offer was extended declined the position. ("Whom" is the object of the preposition "to" within the relative clause "to whom the offer was extended.")

5. Embedded Questions:

An embedded question is a question within a statement or another question. The same rules apply: "who" as the subject, "whom" as the object.

Example: I don't know who is coming to the party. ("Who" is the subject of the verb "is coming" within the embedded question "who is coming to the party.")
Example: I'm not sure whom she invited. ("Whom" is the direct object of the verb "invited" within the embedded question "whom she invited." She invited whom?)

Tricky Cases and Exceptions

While the "he/him" test and the subject/object distinction are helpful, some cases can be tricky. Here are a few to watch out for:

1. Intervening Phrases:

Sometimes, a phrase can come between "who/whom" and the verb, making it harder to identify the subject or object.

Example: The student who I believe is the most talented deserves the scholarship.

In this case, "I believe" is an intervening phrase. Ignore it for a moment and consider the core sentence: "The student who is the most talented deserves the scholarship." "Who" is the subject of the verb "is," so "who" is correct.

2. "Who" with Linking Verbs:

Linking verbs (like is, are, was, were, be, being, been, seem, become) connect the subject to a noun or adjective that describes or renames it. Even with a linking verb, if the pronoun refers back to the subject, use "who."

Example: I asked who was at the door. (Implied: Who was it that was at the door?) "Who" refers back to the subject of the implied question and acts as the subject complement.

3. Prepositions at the End of Sentences:

While grammatically frowned upon by some, ending a sentence with a preposition is common in modern English. This can make it harder to spot when "whom" is needed.

Example: Who did you give it to? (Informal)
Example: To whom did you give it? (Formal)

While the first sentence is acceptable in casual conversation, the second is more grammatically correct in formal writing. The "he/him" test can still help: "You gave it to him."

4. "Whoever" and "Whomever":

These are the compound forms of "who" and "whom," and they follow the same rules.

Whoever: Functions as the subject.
- Example: Whoever wants to go to the park should meet at the entrance.
Whomever: Functions as the object.
- Example: Give it to whomever you choose. (Give it to him.)

5. When in Doubt, Rephrase:

If you're truly unsure whether to use "who" or "whom," the best solution is often to rephrase the sentence entirely to avoid the issue.

Original: The client whom we expected to arrive is late.
Rephrased: The client that we expected to arrive is late. OR The client we expected to arrive is late. (In this case, "that" is acceptable, and sometimes the relative pronoun can be omitted entirely.)

The Declining Use of "Whom"

It's important to acknowledge that "whom" is becoming less common in everyday spoken English. Many people find it overly formal or even archaic. In informal settings, using "who" in place of "whom" is often acceptable, and you're unlikely to be misunderstood.

However, in formal writing, academic papers, business communications, and other situations where precision and correctness are paramount, using "whom" correctly is still important. It demonstrates attention to detail and a strong grasp of grammar.

Tips for Mastering "Who" and "Whom"

Practice Regularly: The best way to master the difference is through consistent practice. Write your own sentences, analyze examples, and pay attention to how "who" and "whom" are used in published writing.
Read Widely: Expose yourself to a variety of writing styles and genres. Pay attention to how different authors use "who" and "whom."
Use Online Resources: There are numerous online grammar resources and quizzes that can help you practice and reinforce your understanding.
Don't Be Afraid to Ask: If you're unsure, don't hesitate to ask a teacher, editor, or fellow writer for clarification.
Focus on Understanding the Concepts: Instead of simply memorizing rules, strive to understand the underlying grammatical principles of subjects, objects, and prepositions. This will make it easier to apply the rules correctly in a variety of situations.
Review Sentence Structure: A solid understanding of basic sentence structure (subject, verb, object) is essential for mastering "who" and "whom."

Examples in Context

Let's examine a few more complex examples in context:

"The CEO, who had led the company for a decade, announced her retirement. The board had to decide whom to appoint as her successor, a decision to whom much thought was given. Ultimately, they chose the candidate who best demonstrated leadership potential, regardless of whom he had previously worked for."
- "who had led": "Who" is the subject of the verb "had led."
- "whom to appoint": "Whom" is the object of the verb "appoint." (They had to appoint whom?)
- "to whom much thought was given": "Whom" is the object of the preposition "to."
- "who best demonstrated": "Who" is the subject of the verb "demonstrated."
- "whom he had previously worked for": "Whom" is the object of the preposition "for." (He had previously worked for whom?)
"The professor, who is known for his challenging exams, warned the students about the upcoming test. He asked who had completed the reading and then called on the student whom he knew had struggled with the material. He wanted to help those who were having difficulty."
- "who is known": "Who" is the subject of the verb "is known."
- "who had completed": "Who" is the subject of the verb "had completed."
- "whom he knew had struggled": "Whom" is the implied object of the verb "knew". The sentence is essentially "he knew whom".
- "who were having difficulty": "Who" is the subject of the verb "were having."

Conclusion

While the distinction between "who" and "whom" may seem subtle, mastering it can significantly enhance the clarity and precision of your writing. By understanding the grammatical roles of subjects and objects, applying the "he/him" test, and practicing regularly, you can confidently navigate the nuances of these pronouns. Although "whom" is becoming less common in informal speech, its correct use remains a valuable skill in formal writing and demonstrates a command of the English language. Don't be discouraged by the complexities; with practice and attention to detail, you can confidently choose between "who" and "whom" and elevate the quality of your writing.