Mastering ‘Who’ and ‘Whom’: A Comprehensive Guide with Detailed Examples

The English language, with its nuances and exceptions, can sometimes feel like a labyrinth. Among the common stumbling blocks for many writers and speakers are the words ‘who’ and ‘whom.’ These relative pronouns, often used interchangeably in casual conversation, follow distinct grammatical rules. Understanding these rules is crucial for precise communication and maintaining a polished writing style. This comprehensive guide will break down the complexities of ‘who’ and ‘whom,’ providing you with clear instructions, illustrative examples, and a practical approach to mastering their correct usage.

The Fundamental Difference: Subject vs. Object

The core distinction between ‘who’ and ‘whom’ lies in their grammatical function within a sentence. ‘Who’ acts as a subject, performing the action of the verb. ‘Whom,’ on the other hand, acts as an object, receiving the action of the verb or following a preposition. Think of it this way: ‘Who’ is like the actor, and ‘whom’ is like the one acted upon.

Let’s illustrate this with basic examples:

• Who ate the cake? (‘Who’ is the subject performing the action of eating.)
• The cake was eaten by whom? (‘Whom’ is the object receiving the action of being eaten. Notice the preposition ‘by’.)

This fundamental principle – subject vs. object – is the key to unlocking the proper use of ‘who’ and ‘whom.’ However, applying this rule consistently can be tricky, especially in complex sentences. Let’s delve into the practical steps to help you identify the correct pronoun in any context.

Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing Between ‘Who’ and ‘Whom’

Here’s a step-by-step approach to determining whether to use ‘who’ or ‘whom’:

1. Identify the Clause or Phrase: First, pinpoint the specific clause or phrase where ‘who’ or ‘whom’ is needed. A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb. For example, in the sentence, “The man who helped me was very kind,” the clause in question is “who helped me.”
2. Isolate the Pronoun: Once you’ve identified the clause, isolate the pronoun (the ‘who/whom’ part). For instance, in “The award went to whom?” it’s “whom.” In “Who is coming to the party?” it’s “who.”
3. Replace ‘Who/Whom’ with ‘He/She’ or ‘Him/Her’: This is the crucial step. Substitute ‘who’ with ‘he/she’ or ‘whom’ with ‘him/her’ and see if the resulting sentence sounds grammatically correct. If ‘he/she’ sounds correct, then you should use ‘who.’ If ‘him/her’ sounds right, you should use ‘whom’.
   • ‘Who’ Test (Substitute with ‘He/She’): If ‘he’ or ‘she’ works, use ‘who.’
   • ‘Whom’ Test (Substitute with ‘Him/Her’): If ‘him’ or ‘her’ works, use ‘whom.’
4. Check for Prepositions: If the pronoun follows a preposition (e.g., to, from, with, by, for, about), it’s almost always ‘whom.’ Remember, ‘whom’ is an object form and preposition objects use this form.
5. Re-word the Sentence: If the above steps are tricky, try re-wording the sentence. You might uncover the subject-object relationship more clearly.

Detailed Examples and Explanations

Let’s apply these steps to some real-world examples:

Example 1: “The doctor ______ diagnosed the patient was very experienced.”

1. Clause/Phrase: “______ diagnosed the patient”
2. Isolate Pronoun: “______”
3. Substitute: Would you say, “He diagnosed the patient” or “Him diagnosed the patient”? Obviously, “He diagnosed the patient” is correct.
4. Conclusion: Therefore, the correct pronoun is ‘who.’ The sentence becomes: “The doctor who diagnosed the patient was very experienced.”

Example 2: “To ______ did you give the package?”

1. Clause/Phrase: “To ______ did you give the package?”
2. Isolate Pronoun: “______”
3. Substitute: Would you say “To he did you give the package?” or “To him did you give the package?” “To him” is correct.
4. Preposition Check: Note the preposition ‘to.’ This is a strong indicator for ‘whom.’
5. Conclusion: The correct pronoun is ‘whom.’ The sentence becomes: “To whom did you give the package?”

Example 3: “______ do you think will win the election?”

1. Clause/Phrase: “______ will win the election” (Even though the main verb is think, you have to consider only the ‘will win’ part when dealing with the relative pronoun)
2. Isolate Pronoun: “______”
3. Substitute: Would you say, “He will win the election?” or “Him will win the election?” “He will win” is correct.
4. Conclusion: The correct pronoun is ‘who.’ The sentence becomes: “Who do you think will win the election?”

Example 4: “The person ______ I admire most is my grandmother.”

1. Clause/Phrase: “______ I admire most”
2. Isolate Pronoun: “______”
3. Substitute: The key here is to re-arrange the clause to “I admire ______ most.” Would you say, “I admire he most” or “I admire him most?” “I admire him most” is correct.
4. Conclusion: The correct pronoun is ‘whom.’ The sentence becomes: “The person whom I admire most is my grandmother.”

Example 5: “With ______ were you talking on the phone?”

1. Clause/Phrase: “With ______ were you talking on the phone?”
2. Isolate Pronoun: “______”
3. Preposition Check: The word ‘with’ is a preposition. Prepositions almost always precede ‘whom’.
4. Substitute: You can verify by re-arranging the sentence: “You were talking on the phone with ______” . Would you say “You were talking on the phone with he?” or “You were talking on the phone with him?” The latter is correct.
5. Conclusion: The correct pronoun is ‘whom.’ The sentence becomes: “With whom were you talking on the phone?”

Example 6: “The students ______ scores were the highest received special recognition.”

1. Clause/Phrase: “______ scores were the highest”
2. Isolate Pronoun: “______”
3. Substitute: Re-arrange it in a way that it makes sense: “His scores were the highest” vs “Him scores were the highest”. The correct version is “His scores were the highest.”
4. Conclusion: We know that the subject pronoun is required, and the right one is ‘whose’. While ‘who’ can sometimes refer to possession in some old forms, today, it’s better to use the word ‘whose’ for that situation. So, the sentence becomes: “The students whose scores were the highest received special recognition.”

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Here are some common mistakes people make when using ‘who’ and ‘whom,’ along with tips on how to avoid them:

• Overreliance on ‘Who’: The most common error is the overuse of ‘who’ even when ‘whom’ is grammatically correct. This often stems from the fact that in modern, casual speech, ‘whom’ is used less frequently. Resist the urge to automatically default to ‘who.’ Always apply the substitution test.
• Ignoring Prepositions: As highlighted earlier, a preposition before the pronoun is a very reliable indication that ‘whom’ is needed. Don’t overlook those prepositions.
• Confusing Subject and Object in Interrogative Sentences: Questions can sometimes be tricky. Remember to apply the ‘he/she’ or ‘him/her’ test, even when the order of words is inverted. For instance, you might instinctively say, “Who did you see?” but if you apply the rule, then the answer should be “you saw him,” not “you saw he.” So the correct question should be, “Whom did you see?”
• Hesitancy to Use ‘Whom’: Due to the decline in the formal use of ‘whom’ some individuals hesitate to use it even when it’s appropriate. Don’t be afraid to use ‘whom’ correctly; it demonstrates attention to detail and enhances the precision of your writing.
• Incorrectly Applying Subject/Object Rules: There might be some instances where the application of subject/object is a little difficult for beginners. For example: “The person whom I thought was innocent was guilty.” Here, even though ‘whom’ is the object of “I thought”, in the clause “whom was innocent”, ‘whom’ is the subject, so the correct sentence should be “The person who I thought was innocent was guilty.”

Modern Usage and the Decline of ‘Whom’

It’s true that ‘whom’ is becoming less common in everyday speech and informal writing. This trend has led many to question whether ‘whom’ is even necessary anymore. While it’s undeniable that language evolves, and some aspects of formal grammar fade over time, the formal application of ‘whom’ is still relevant in many contexts. In academic writing, professional communication, and formal presentations, using ‘whom’ correctly demonstrates a higher level of language proficiency and attention to detail. Therefore, while you might get away with using ‘who’ in place of ‘whom’ in informal settings, understanding the distinction is essential for clear and precise communication in more formal circumstances.

Practice Makes Perfect

Like any skill, mastering ‘who’ and ‘whom’ takes practice. The more you actively think about the function of these pronouns in your sentences, the more naturally they will come to you. Try these practice exercises:

Exercises:

1. Identify whether ‘who’ or ‘whom’ should be used in the following sentences:
   • The artist ______ painted this portrait is very talented.
   • To ______ should I send this letter?
   • ______ is responsible for this mess?
   • The employees ______ management favors often get promoted.
   • By ______ was the window broken?
   • ______ do you believe is the best candidate?
   • The individual ______ I saw earlier was carrying a strange suitcase.
   • With ______ are you planning to attend the concert?
   • The book, written by the author, ______ won the prize.
   • The professor to ______ all the students admire is retiring next year.
2. Write five sentences using ‘who’ and five sentences using ‘whom.’ Pay careful attention to the grammatical role of each pronoun.
3. Read articles and books, actively noticing how authors use ‘who’ and ‘whom.’ Analyze their choices based on the rules you’ve learned.

Answers to Exercises:

1. who

2. whom

3. Who

4. whom

5. whom

6. Who

7. whom

8. whom

9. who

10. whom

Conclusion

The distinction between ‘who’ and ‘whom,’ while sometimes challenging, is a vital aspect of English grammar. By consistently applying the subject/object rule and using the substitution and preposition tests, you can significantly improve the precision and clarity of your writing and speaking. While ‘whom’ might be less common in everyday conversation, a thorough understanding of its usage will elevate your communication skills in formal and professional settings. Remember, practice is key. The more conscious you are of the function of these pronouns, the easier it will be to use them correctly and confidently. Don’t hesitate to refer back to this guide whenever you encounter a question about ‘who’ or ‘whom.’ With consistent effort, you’ll be well on your way to mastering these often-confused pronouns.