In English, there are many words that have similar sounds and roots. The use of “who” and “whom” is one of the most confusing topics in the language learning process. Although both are used to refer to people, their roles in a sentence are different. In this blog, we will explore where and how who and whom are used, examine the differences between them, and learn how to use them correctly.
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When to Use Who
Who is generally used to identify or describe a person and functions as the subject of a sentence. To decide when to use who, you can ask yourself the question: “Is this person doing the action?” If the answer is yes, who is the correct choice according to grammar rules. Who can be used both in questions and within sentences as a subject.
Tip: If he / she / they / I / we can replace the word in the sentence, then who is the correct option.
Who Examples
Who is calling me?
(Used in a question.)
She is the woman who knows her worth.
(“Who” is the person doing the action, so it is the subject.)
When to Use Whom
Whom is generally used to refer to the person affected by an action and functions as the object of a sentence. To decide when to use whom, ask yourself the question: “Is this person affected by the action?” If the answer is “yes,” then whom is the correct choice according to grammar rules. Whom can be used both in questions and within sentences as an object.
Tip: If him / her / them / me / us can replace the word in the sentence, then whom is the correct option.
Whom Examples
Whom did you invite to the party?
(Used in a question.)
The person whom I met at the party was totally crazy.
(“Whom” is used as an object, replacing “I met him.”)
Important Note
In everyday spoken English, whom is often replaced by who. However, in formal English and written texts, the use of whom is still important.
In general, whom is preferred after prepositions (to, with, for, about, etc. )
What’s the Difference Between Who and Whom?
As we have learned from the separate explanations of who and whom, who is used as the subject of a sentence, while whom is used as the object. Who refers to the person who acts, while whom refers to the person affected by the action.
As a more practical tip, if the word in the sentence can be replaced with:
he / she / they / I / we → who
him / her / them / me / us → whom
These choices are made according to English grammar rules.
Additionally, although who often replaces whom in everyday spoken English, whom continues to be used in formal writing.
Examples of Who vs. Whom
–Who is waiting outside?
-The woman who called you yesterday is my sister.
–Whom did you call last night?
-The student whom the teacher yelled at felt very embarrassed.
–Who is the one talking behind me?
-The person whom I trust the most is my dad.
–Who will help us with this project?
-The man whom they were talking about just arrived.
–Who wants to drink some coffee?
-The girl whom everyone admired became a model.
–Whom do you think they hired for the job?
-The man who everyone assumed was guilty turned out to be innocent.
–Whom do you believe she loves the most?
-The person who we believed was telling the truth lied to us.
–Who do they claim is the best candidate?
Frequently Asked Questions About When to Use “Who” vs “Whom”
Here are the frequently asked questions about “Who” vs “Whom” .
What is the difference between who and whom?
Who is used as the subject of a sentence, while whom is used as the object.
Is it okay to use who instead of whom in daily conversation?
Yes. In everyday spoken English, who is often used instead of whom. However, whom is still important in formal and written English.
Can using the wrong form change the meaning?
Usually, no in casual speech, but it can sound grammatically incorrect in formal writing.
Is whom still used in modern English?
Yes, but mostly in formal writing, academic texts, and exams.
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