Key Takeaways
- Who is used as a subject, meaning it performs the action in a sentence.
- Whom is used as an object, meaning it receives the action or is linked to a preposition.
- Replacing who/whom correctly depends on understanding their grammatical roles in sentences.
- In formal writing, knowing when to use whom instead of who makes your sentences clearer and more precise.
- Common mistakes involve confusing subject and object positions, especially in complex sentences.
What is Who?
Who is a pronoun used when referring to the subject of a sentence or clause. It indicates the person performing the action or being described.
Subject Position
Who always takes the place of the subject in a sentence. It answers questions like “who is doing what?”
Question Form
In questions, who appears at the beginning, seeking the identity of the person involved. It is the interrogative form of the pronoun.
Subjective Use
Who functions as the subject, and it is paired with action verbs. For example, “Who called yesterday?”
Relative Clause Use
Who introduces clauses that provide additional information about a person. For example, “The man who called are waiting.”
What is Whom?
Whom is a pronoun used when referring to the object of a verb or preposition. It points to the person receiving the action,
Object Position
Whom always takes the place of the object in a sentence. It answers questions like “whom did you see?”
Question Form
In questions, whom appears after a preposition or as the object, e.g., “To whom did you give the book?”
Objective Use
Whom functions as the object of a verb or preposition, and it pairs with transitive verbs. Although incomplete. For example, “You saw whom?”
Relative Clause Use
Whom introduces clauses that describe the object of the action, for example, “The person whom I met yesterday is friendly.”
Comparison Table
Below is a table comparing different aspects of who and whom in real-world contexts:
| Aspect | Who | Whom |
|---|---|---|
| Function in sentence | Subject performer | Object receiver |
| Common in questions | Yes, starts with who | |
| Object in statement | Rarely used as object | |
| Preposition placement | Usually before the verb | |
| Preposition with whom | Rarely used | |
| Formal writing preference | Less preferred | |
| Informal speech | More common | |
| Example sentence | Who is calling? | |
| Example with object | He saw who at the door | |
| Example with preposition | It’s I who am responsible | |
| Complex sentence role | Introduces subject clauses | |
| Object clause role | Introduces object clauses |
Key Differences
- Subject vs. Object is clearly visible in who acting as the doer, while whom receiving action is the key role of whom.
- Question placement revolves around who leading questions, whereas whom appears after prepositions or in formal queries.
- Formality level is noticeable when choosing who for casual speech and whom for formal writing.
- Sentence position relates to who starting sentences or clauses, while whom tends to be used after prepositions or in object positions.
FAQs
How can I tell if I should use who or whom in nested clauses?
In nested clauses, break down the sentence and identify whether the pronoun’s role is subject or object. Although incomplete. If it’s performing the action, use who; if it’s receiving the action, use whom.
Are there cases where using whom sounds overly formal or outdated?
Yes, in casual conversations, many tend to replace whom with who, even in object positions, but in formal writing or professional contexts, using whom remains correct and appreciated.
Can ‘who’ be used as an object in modern English?
Although traditionally incorrect, many native speakers now use who as an object in informal speech, but for clarity and correctness, whom should be used in formal contexts.
What are some common mistakes when using who and whom?
Common errors include using whom as a subject, omitting it after prepositions, or making incorrect substitutions in complex sentences. Always verify the grammatical role before choosing the pronoun.
