Key Takeaways
- Who is used as the subject of a sentence, referring to people performing actions.
- Whom functions as the object of a verb or preposition, seen in formal contexts.
- Choosing between who and whom depends on their role within the sentence structure.
- Understanding the difference helps improve clarity and correctness in writing and speaking.
- In casual speech, many people use who instead of whom, but formal writing prefers proper usage.
What is Who?
Who is a pronoun that is used as the subject of a sentence or clause, referring to people. It helps identify the doer of an action or the one in focus.
Subject of a sentence
When a person is the one performing the action, who is the proper choice. For example, “Who are coming to the party?” directly asks about the person performing the action.
Used in questions and relative clauses
In questions, who seeks to find out about the subject. Relative clauses, like “The woman who called earlier,” use who to connect descriptions to people.
Role in informal speech
Most people use who in everyday language because it sounds more natural. Formal writing, however, may require more precise application.
Common mistake to avoid
Using who when the object of a sentence or preposition are needed causes errors. Although incomplete. For instance, avoid “Who did you see?” when the answer should be “Whom did you see?” in formal setting.
What is Whom?
Whom is a pronoun that serves as the object of a verb or preposition, referring to people receiving an action. It’s more common in formal language and written contexts.
Object of a verb
When the person is receiving the action, whom should be used. For example, “To whom did you send the letter?” shows the recipient of the action.
Object of a preposition
Whom is used after prepositions like with, for, to, and about. For example, “This is the person with whom I spoke.”
Formal vs. informal usage
In everyday speech, many replace whom with who, but in official writing, whom maintains grammatical correctness. Recognizing this distinction can improve clarity.
Common mistake to avoid
Using whom when the subject are required, such as in “Who is calling?” instead of “Whom is calling?” causes errors. Proper understanding helps avoid such mistakes.
Comparison Table
This table highlights the key differences between who and whom in various contexts, illustrating their roles and proper usage in practical situations.
| Aspect | Who | Whom |
|---|---|---|
| Function in sentence | Subject performing action | Object receiving action |
| Preposition placement | Typically before prepositions in informal speech | Usually after prepositions in formal writing |
| Question form | Who is responsible for this? | Whom did you see at the event? |
| Relative clause | The person who called me | The person whom I called |
| Usage in speech | Common and accepted | Less common, more formal |
| Pronoun role | Subject of the verb | Object of the verb or preposition |
| Position in sentence | Usually at the beginning or middle as subject | Often at the end after prepositions |
| Common mistake | Using whom instead of who in questions | Using who instead of whom as object |
| Formality level | Casual and formal | Formal and written |
| Grammar rule | Subject case | Object case |
Key Differences
- Subject vs. Object is clearly visible in who acting as the doer, whereas whom is receiving the action.
- Prepositional usage revolves around who being used before prepositions in informal speech, but whom after prepositions in formal sentences.
- Question structure is noticeable when asking about the actor with who, and about the receiver with whom.
- Pronoun role relates to who being a subject pronoun, while whom functions as an object pronoun in sentences.
FAQs
Can I use who instead of whom in all situations?
In casual speech, yes, many people do, but in formal writing or precise contexts, using whom correctly is recommended. It can sometimes sound overly formal or old-fashioned, but it maintains grammatical correctness.
Are there any tools to help determine whether to use who or whom?
Yes, simple tests like replacing the pronoun with he or him can help. If the sentence makes sense with he, use who; if with him, use whom. This trick can clarify usage quickly.
Does the choice between who and whom affect sentence meaning?
Generally, it doesn’t change the overall meaning, but it affects clarity and correctness. Proper usage ensures the sentence is grammatically sound and easily understood.
Is the rule about who and whom the same in all English dialects?
No, some dialects are more flexible, especially in spoken language. Formal written English tends to follow the traditional rules strictly, while speech blurs these lines.