When should I use "whom" vs "who"
"Who" and "whom" are used to refer to people in a sentence. The difference lies in their function as either subjective or objective pronouns.
Use "who" when it is the subject of a sentence or clause. For example:
- "Who is going to the party?"
- "He is the one who won the award."
Use "whom" when it is the object of a verb or a preposition. For example:
- "To whom did you give the book?"
- "The woman whom he met at the conference."
In many cases, "whom" is considered more formal and less commonly used in casual conversation. However, it is still important to know when to use it correctly, especially in formal writing or when you want to convey a more precise sense of language.
Knowing whether to use "whom" or "who" depends on whether the pronoun is functioning as a subject or an object in a sentence. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you determine when to use each one:
1. Determine if the pronoun is serving as a subject or an object in the sentence.
- If it's the subject, use "who."
- If it's the object, use "whom."
2. To use "who" correctly:
- Use "who" when it is the subject pronoun in a clause or sentence.
- Example: "Who is the winner?" (subject pronoun)
3. To use "whom" correctly:
- Use "whom" when it is the object pronoun in a clause or sentence.
- Example: "Whom did you invite to the party?" (object pronoun)
4. If you're still unsure, you can ask yourself a question using "he" or "him":
- If "he" sounds correct, use "who" (subject pronoun).
- If "him" sounds correct, use "whom" (object pronoun).
- Example: "I will give the book to ___? Him. So, I will give the book to whom?
Remember that in spoken English, "whom" is becoming less common and often replaced with "who" even in object positions. However, in formal or written English, it's best to adhere to the proper usage.