The correct use of “whom” can often feel like navigating a grammatical minefield. Many English speakers avoid it altogether, opting for “who” even when it’s technically incorrect.
However, mastering “whom” not only enhances your writing and speaking but also demonstrates a strong command of English grammar. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of “whom,” including its definition, structural rules, usage, common mistakes, and plenty of examples to help you confidently use it in various contexts.
Whether you’re an English language learner, a student, or simply someone who wants to refine their grammar skills, this article will equip you with the knowledge and practice you need.
This article is for anyone who is looking to improve their understanding and usage of the word “whom” in English grammar. From students learning the basics to advanced English speakers aiming to refine their skills, this guide offers comprehensive explanations, examples, and practice exercises.
Table of Contents
- Definition of “Whom”
- Structural Breakdown
- Types of “Whom” Clauses
- Examples of “Whom” in Sentences
- Usage Rules for “Whom”
- Common Mistakes with “Whom”
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About “Whom”
- Conclusion
Definition of “Whom”
“Whom” is a relative and interrogative pronoun in English grammar. It is the objective case of the pronoun “who.” This means it functions as the object of a verb or a preposition in a sentence or clause.
While its usage has declined in informal speech, understanding “whom” is crucial for formal writing and a comprehensive grasp of English grammar. “Whom” specifically refers to the receiver of an action, unlike “who,” which refers to the performer of the action.
Understanding the difference between “who” and “whom” depends on identifying the pronoun’s function in the sentence. If the pronoun is receiving the action of the verb, then “whom” is correct.
If the pronoun is performing the action, “who” is the correct choice. This distinction is crucial for maintaining grammatical accuracy.
Structural Breakdown
The structure of sentences using “whom” typically follows these patterns:
- Preposition + Whom: The preposition precedes “whom” when it modifies the pronoun, such as “to whom,” “from whom,” “with whom,” etc.
- Whom + Subject + Verb: This structure is common when “whom” acts as the direct object of the verb within a relative clause.
- Whom + Auxiliary Verb + Subject + Main Verb: This structure is used in interrogative sentences (questions) where “whom” is the object.
To correctly use “whom,” it’s essential to identify the verb and its object within the clause where the pronoun is used. If the pronoun is the recipient of the action described by the verb, “whom” is likely the correct choice.
Understanding the grammatical roles of different parts of the sentence is fundamental to mastering the use of “whom.”
Types of “Whom” Clauses
Relative Clauses
Relative clauses provide additional information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause. “Whom” introduces relative clauses when it acts as the object of a verb or preposition within that clause.
These clauses are essential for adding detail and complexity to sentences.
For example: “The author, whom everyone admires, will be speaking at the conference.” In this sentence, “whom everyone admires” is the relative clause, and “whom” is the object of the verb “admires.”
Interrogative Clauses
Interrogative clauses are questions. “Whom” is used in interrogative clauses to ask about the object of a verb or preposition.
While “who” is often used informally in questions, “whom” is technically more correct in formal contexts.
For example: “Whom did you see at the party?” Here, “whom” is the object of the verb “see.” In more casual speech, you might hear “Who did you see at the party?” but “whom” is grammatically precise.
Examples of “Whom” in Sentences
The following sections provide examples of “whom” in various contexts, illustrating its proper usage and helping to clarify its function in different types of sentences.
“Whom” as a Direct Object
“Whom” functions as a direct object when it receives the action of a verb directly. This is one of the most common uses of “whom” and understanding this function is key to using it correctly.
The following table contains 20 examples of “whom” used as a direct object in sentences:
| # | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1 | The candidate, whom the voters supported, won the election. |
| 2 | She is the artist whom I admire most. |
| 3 | The employee whom the manager promoted was very talented. |
| 4 | He is the person whom we need to consult. |
| 5 | The book whom the critic praised became a bestseller. |
| 6 | The professor, whom the students respect, is retiring next year. |
| 7 | The musician, whom the audience applauded, gave an encore. |
| 8 | The company hired a consultant whom they hoped would improve efficiency. |
| 9 | The award was given to the scientist whom the committee selected. |
| 10 | The detective is investigating the suspect whom the witnesses identified. |
| 11 | The charity supports refugees whom war has displaced. |
| 12 | The university honored alumni whom have made significant contributions. |
| 13 | The general commanded soldiers whom he trusted implicitly. |
| 14 | The film director is working with actors whom he believes are promising. |
| 15 | The government is providing aid to citizens whom the disaster affected. |
| 16 | The doctor is treating patients whom other physicians can’t diagnose. |
| 17 | The lawyer defended clients whom society had largely abandoned. |
| 18 | The software engineer is mentoring interns whom he finds particularly innovative. |
| 19 | The chef is training cooks whom he sees as future culinary stars. |
| 20 | The project manager is leading team members whom he selected carefully. |
“Whom” After Prepositions
When “whom” follows a preposition, it functions as the object of that preposition. This is a particularly important distinction to remember when deciding between “who” and “whom.”
The following table provides 20 more examples of “whom” used after prepositions:
| # | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1 | To whom did you address the letter? |
| 2 | From whom did you receive the package? |
| 3 | With whom did you collaborate on the project? |
| 4 | About whom were you talking? |
| 5 | For whom is this gift intended? |
| 6 | By whom was the artwork created? |
| 7 | Of whom are you speaking? |
| 8 | In whom do you place your trust? |
| 9 | On whom did the responsibility fall? |
| 10 | At whom was the accusation directed? |
| 11 | Behind whom were they hiding? |
| 12 | Against whom are you competing? |
| 13 | Near whom were you standing? |
| 14 | Under whom did you study? |
| 15 | Beside whom did you sit at the dinner? |
| 16 | Toward whom did they show kindness? |
| 17 | Above whom does he report in the company hierarchy? |
| 18 | Through whom did you hear about the opportunity? |
| 19 | Beyond whom does the influence of the leader extend? |
| 20 | Before whom must I present my case? |
“Whom” in Non-Restrictive Clauses
Non-restrictive clauses add extra information that is not essential to the sentence’s core meaning. These clauses are set off by commas, and “whom” is often used to introduce them when referring to people.
The table below contains 20 examples of “whom” in non-restrictive clauses:
| # | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1 | My neighbor, whom I’ve known for years, is moving away. |
| 2 | The CEO, whom the board trusts implicitly, announced the new strategy. |
| 3 | The author, whom critics admire, will release a new book soon. |
| 4 | The professor, whom many students respect, is retiring. |
| 5 | The actress, whom the media adores, is starring in a new film. |
| 6 | The athlete, whom fans idolize, broke another record. |
| 7 | The musician, whom the concertgoers cheered, played an encore. |
| 8 | The director, whom the actors respected, provided excellent guidance. |
| 9 | The politician, whom the voters supported, won the election. |
| 10 | The chef, whom food critics rave about, opened a new restaurant. |
| 11 | The architect, whom the city council admired, designed the new museum. |
| 12 | The scientist, whom the research community recognized, made a breakthrough discovery. |
| 13 | The engineer, whom the company valued, led the development team. |
| 14 | The artist, whom the gallery represented, showcased their work. |
| 15 | The writer, whom the publisher promoted, gained widespread recognition. |
| 16 | The dancer, whom the choreographer praised, perfected the routine. |
| 17 | The entrepreneur, whom investors supported, launched a successful startup. |
| 18 | The inventor, whom the patent office recognized, secured intellectual property rights. |
| 19 | The composer, whom the orchestra performed, received standing ovations. |
| 20 | The philanthropist, whom the community appreciated, funded numerous projects. |
“Whom” in Formal Writing
In formal writing, such as academic papers, legal documents, and business reports, the correct use of “whom” is particularly important. While it may be omitted or replaced with “who” in informal contexts, maintaining grammatical precision in formal settings enhances credibility and clarity.
The following table presents 20 examples of “whom” in formal writing contexts:
| # | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1 | The committee will decide to whom the grant should be awarded. |
| 2 | It is important to determine from whom the information originated. |
| 3 | The investigation will identify those to whom the company is liable. |
| 4 | The contract specifies to whom payment should be directed. |
| 5 | The report details the individuals with whom the CEO had contact. |
| 6 | The policy outlines the conditions under whom employees can take leave. |
| 7 | The regulations specify to whom the data must be reported. |
| 8 | The legal document identifies the person to whom the rights are transferred. |
| 9 | The academic paper references the scholars by whom the theory was developed. |
| 10 | The study analyzes the individuals for whom the intervention was most effective. |
| 11 | The researchers investigated the subjects from whom the samples were collected. |
| 12 | The guidelines describe the process through whom applications are reviewed. |
| 13 | The assessment evaluates the stakeholders to whom the project is relevant. |
| 14 | The analysis considers the factors by whom the outcome was influenced. |
| 15 | The proposal outlines the benefits to whom the project will accrue. |
| 16 | The framework defines the principles by whom the organization is governed. |
| 17 | The strategy identifies the markets to whom the product will be targeted. |
| 18 | The evaluation assesses the criteria by whom the performance will be measured. |
| 19 | The recommendation specifies the actions for whom the responsibility lies. |
| 20 | The agreement details the terms to whom the obligations apply. |
Usage Rules for “Whom”
“Who” vs. “Whom”
The fundamental rule is that “who” is used when the pronoun is the subject of a verb, while “whom” is used when the pronoun is the object of a verb or a preposition. To determine which to use, try replacing the pronoun with “he/she/they” (for “who”) or “him/her/them” (for “whom”).
If “him/her/them” fits, then “whom” is correct.
For example:
- Who is going to the store? (He/She is going to the store.)
- To whom did you give the book? (You gave the book to him/her.)
Preposition Placement with “Whom”
In formal English, prepositions typically precede “whom.” However, in informal English, it is common to place the preposition at the end of the sentence. While both constructions are grammatically acceptable, the former is considered more formal and polished.
For example:
- Formal: To whom did you address the letter?
- Informal: Who did you address the letter to?
Common Mistakes with “Whom”
One of the most frequent mistakes is using “who” instead of “whom” when the pronoun is the object of a verb or preposition. Another common error is misplacing prepositions, especially in formal writing.
Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Who did you give the present to? | To whom did you give the present? (Formal) / Whom did you give the present to? (Less Formal) | “Whom” is the object of the preposition “to.” |
| Who should I address this letter to? | To whom should I address this letter? (Formal) / Whom should I address this letter to? (Less Formal) | “Whom” is the object of the preposition “to.” |
| The person who I spoke to was very helpful. | The person to whom I spoke was very helpful. (Formal) / The person whom I spoke to was very helpful. (Less Formal) | “Whom” is the object of the preposition “to.” |
| Who do you think will win the election? | Who do you think will win the election? | “Who” is the subject of the verb “will win.” The phrase “do you think” is parenthetical. |
| The candidate who the voters supported won the election. | The candidate whom the voters supported won the election. | “Whom” is the object of the verb “supported.” |
Practice Exercises
These exercises will help you practice using “whom” correctly in different contexts. Pay close attention to the function of the pronoun in each sentence.
Exercise 1: Choosing Between “Who” and “Whom”
Choose the correct pronoun (“who” or “whom”) to complete each sentence.
| # | Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | _______ is going to the conference? | Who |
| 2 | To _______ did you give the keys? | Whom |
| 3 | _______ do you think will be the next president? | Who |
| 4 | The author, _______ I admire greatly, is releasing a new book. | Whom |
| 5 | _______ is responsible for this mess? | Who |
| 6 | _______ did you see at the party last night? | Whom |
| 7 | The teacher, _______ students respect, is an excellent educator. | Whom |
| 8 | _______ told you about the meeting? | Who |
| 9 | To _______ should I address my concerns? | Whom |
| 10 | _______ is the owner of this car? | Who |
Exercise 2: Using “Whom” After Prepositions
Rewrite each sentence, placing the preposition before “whom.”
| # | Original Sentence | Rewritten Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Who did you speak to? | To whom did you speak? |
| 2 | Who are you waiting for? | For whom are you waiting? |
| 3 | Who did the package come from? | From whom did the package come? |
| 4 | Who were you talking about? | About whom were you talking? |
| 5 | Who is this gift intended for? | For whom is this gift intended? |
| 6 | Who did you get the information from? | From whom did you get the information? |
| 7 | Who are you competing against? | Against whom are you competing? |
| 8 | Who does this belong to? | To whom does this belong? |
| 9 | Who were they hiding behind? | Behind whom were they hiding? |
| 10 | Who did you collaborate with? | With whom did you collaborate? |
Exercise 3: Rewriting Sentences with “Whom”
Rewrite the following sentences to correctly use “whom,” if necessary. If the sentence is already correct, indicate “Correct.”
| # | Original Sentence | Rewritten Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The person who I saw at the store was my neighbor. | The person whom I saw at the store was my neighbor. |
| 2 | Who do you believe is the best candidate? | Who do you believe is the best candidate? (Correct) |
| 3 | I don’t know who I should ask for help. | I don’t know whom I should ask for help. |
| 4 | The artist who everyone admires is very talented. | The artist whom everyone admires is very talented. |
| 5 | Who did you get that information from? | From whom did you get that information? |
| 6 | The student who the teacher praised was very diligent. | The student whom the teacher praised was very diligent. |
| 7 | Who did you send the package to? | To whom did you send the package? |
| 8 | The author who’s book I read was very insightful. | The author whose book I read was very insightful. (Note: This uses “whose,” not “whom.”) |
| 9 | I’m not sure who I should vote for. | I’m not sure whom I should vote for. |
| 10 | The employee who was promoted is very hard-working. | The employee who was promoted is very hard-working. (Correct) |
Advanced Topics
“Whom” in Embedded Questions
Embedded questions are questions that are included within a statement or another question. “Whom” maintains its function as the object of a verb or preposition in these embedded structures.
For example: “I don’t know to whom I should address the letter.” Here, “to whom I should address the letter” is an embedded question within the larger statement.
Formal vs. Informal Usage of “Whom”
While “whom” is technically correct in many situations, its use is often perceived as overly formal in everyday conversation. In informal speech and writing, it’s common to use “who” instead of “whom,” even when “whom” would be grammatically correct.
However, in formal contexts, using “whom” demonstrates attention to detail and a strong command of grammar.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About “Whom”
- When should I use “whom” instead of “who”?
Use “whom” when the pronoun is the object of a verb or a preposition. If you can replace the pronoun with “him,” “her,” or “them,” then “whom” is the correct choice. If you can replace it with “he,” “she,” or “they,” then use “who.”
- Is it okay to avoid using “whom” altogether?
In informal contexts, it’s often acceptable to use “who” instead of “whom.” However, in formal writing and certain professional settings, using “whom” correctly is important for demonstrating grammatical accuracy and attention to detail.
- What is the difference between “who’s” and “whose”?
“Who’s” is a contraction of “who is” or “who has,” while “whose” is a possessive pronoun indicating ownership. For example: “Who’s going to the party?” (Who is going to the party?) and “Whose book is this?” (To whom does this book belong?).
- How do I identify whether a pronoun is the object of a verb or a preposition?
Look for the verb in the clause and determine what receives the action of that verb. If the pronoun is receiving the action, it’s the object of the verb. Similarly, if the pronoun follows a preposition, it’s the object of the preposition.
- Is it ever correct to end a sentence with a preposition when using “whom”?
While it’s generally considered more formal to place the preposition before “whom,” it’s grammatically acceptable to end a sentence with a preposition in less formal contexts. For example, “Whom are you waiting for?” is acceptable, but “For whom are you waiting?” is more formal.
- Can “that” be used instead of “whom”?
Yes, “that” can sometimes be used instead of “whom” in restrictive relative clauses, but only when “whom” is not preceded by a preposition. For example, “The person whom I met” can be “The person that I met.” However, you cannot replace “whom” with “that” in phrases like “to whom” or “for whom.”
- What is a restrictive clause and how is it different from a non-restrictive clause?
A restrictive clause (also called an essential clause) is essential to the meaning of the sentence; it provides information that identifies or limits the noun it modifies. It is not set off by commas. A non-restrictive clause (also called a non-essential clause) provides additional, but not essential, information about the noun it modifies. It is set off by commas.
- How can I improve my understanding and use of “whom”?
Practice identifying the function of pronouns in sentences, paying close attention to whether they are subjects or objects. Review grammar rules and examples, and consider practicing with exercises like the ones provided in this article. Pay attention to formal writing and try to incorporate “whom” where appropriate.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of “whom” can significantly enhance your understanding and command of English grammar. While its usage may seem daunting at first, understanding the basic rules and practicing with examples can build your confidence.
Remember, “whom” is used when the pronoun functions as the object of a verb or a preposition. While it’s becoming less common in informal speech, using “whom” correctly in formal writing demonstrates precision and attention to detail.
By studying this guide, completing the exercises, and paying attention to the context in which you are writing or speaking, you can confidently and correctly use “whom” in your everyday communication.
Continue to practice and observe how “whom” is used in different texts. Over time, you’ll develop a stronger intuition for its correct usage.
Remember that grammar is a journey, and every step you take improves your overall language skills.