Understanding the Difference Between Who and Whom: A Simple Guide with Examples

Understanding “Who” And “Whom”

In English, “who” and “whom” are pronouns used differently according to grammatical rules. “Who” serves as the subject in a sentence, while “whom” acts as the object.

Subject Example: Use “who” when the pronoun is performing an action. For example, in “Who is calling?” the person doing the calling is the subject.
Object Example: Use “whom” when the pronoun is receiving an action. For example, in “Whom did you call?” the person being called is the object.

When deciding which to use, rephrase the question or sentence to substitute “he/she” or “him/her”. “Who” corresponds to “he/she,” and “whom” aligns with “him/her.” This simple test helps clarify the correct usage.

Understanding this distinction improves sentence structure and clarity. It ensures that your writing aligns with standard grammatical rules, enhancing both readability and credibility.

Grammatical Function

Understand the roles of “who” and “whom” to use them correctly. Each serves a distinct purpose in a sentence.

Subject Pronoun: Who

Use “who” as the subject pronoun when it refers to the doer of an action. For instance, in “Who called you?”, “who” performs the action of calling. This aligns with subject pronouns like “he” or “she.” You can confirm the usage by rephrasing: “He called you.”

Object Pronoun: Whom

Use “whom” as the object pronoun when it refers to the receiver of an action. In “You called whom?”, “whom” receives the action of being called, similar to object pronouns like “him” or “her.” Rephrasing “You called him” helps confirm the correct choice.

By understanding these grammatical functions, you can choose between “who” and “whom” with confidence.

Usage Examples

Understanding “who” and “whom” through examples helps solidify proper usage. Clear examples make differentiating between these pronouns easier.

Correct Use Of Who

Use “who” as the subject of a sentence. This pronoun performs an action. For example, in “Who wrote the letter?” “who” is the subject doing the action of writing. Another example is “Who made the cake?” where “who” is performing the action of making.

Correct Use Of Whom

Use “whom” as the object of a sentence. This pronoun receives an action. In “To whom was the letter addressed?”, “whom” is the recipient of the action of addressing. Another example is “Whom should I contact for information?” where “whom” receives the action of contacting.

These examples showcase the subject-object distinction in an easy-to-understand way.

Common Mistakes

Misusing “who” and “whom” often causes confusion. When the pronoun acts as the subject, use “who”; when it acts as the object, use “whom.” A common mistake occurs when you use “who” as the object of a verb or preposition. For example, saying “Who did you give the book to?” is incorrect if “whom” is the proper choice.

Avoid confusion by substituting he/she for “who” and him/her for “whom.” Many people mistakenly use “whom” in the subject position. Phrases like “Whom is coming to the party?” misapply “whom,” as the pronoun isn’t the object. In such cases, “who” is the correct form.

Frequently, “who” and “whom” are misused in questions. Common errors involve questions with verbs like “write” or “call.” You might incorrectly ask, “Whom wrote the report?” even though “who” should be the subject pronoun. Keep pronoun roles clear by remembering “who” acts and “whom” receives action.

Tips For Remembering The Difference

Understanding when to use “who” and “whom” can be tricky. Use a few simple tips to make it easier:

Subject vs. Object Test: Ask whether the pronoun is the subject or object in the sentence. If it acts as the subject, use “who.” For an object, choose “whom.”
Substitute Pronouns: Replace “who” with “he” or “she” and “whom” with “him” or “her.” For example, in the phrase “Who is there?” you could substitute “he is there?” which confirms “who” is correct. In “Whom did you call?” you could substitute “You called him?” confirming “whom” is appropriate.
Preposition Check: Use “whom” if it follows a preposition like “to,” “for,” or “with.” In “To whom was the letter addressed?” “whom” follows “to,” indicating it’s correct.
Ask Questions: When forming questions, identify if the pronoun would answer “who” or “whom.” For example, in “Who is meeting you?” the answer would be “he/she is meeting,” validating “who.” If the question is “Whom are you meeting?” the answer would be “I’m meeting him/her,” confirming “whom.”
Formal Constraints: In formal writing, use “whom” correctly to maintain professionalism and clarity, especially when writing academically or professionally.

Applying these tips helps reinforce the use of “who” for subjects and “whom” for objects, making your grammar precise in all contexts.

Conclusion

Mastering the difference between “who” and “whom” can significantly elevate your writing skills. By understanding that “who” is a subject pronoun and “whom” is an object pronoun, you can choose the correct word with confidence. Remember to use the simple substitution test with “he/she” and “him/her” to guide your decision-making. Paying attention to these distinctions not only improves your sentence structure but also enhances the clarity and professionalism of your writing. As you continue to practice and apply these principles, you’ll find it easier to avoid common mistakes and communicate more effectively.