ENGLISH
N. KITUYI- NOV. 2021
WHO VS. WHOM
@fdawo2021
Whom should be used to refer to the object of a verb or
preposition.
When in doubt, try this simple trick:
If you can replace the word with “he”’ or “’she,” use who.
If you can replace it with “him” or “her,” use whom.
Who should be used to refer to the subject of a sentence.
Whom should be used to refer to the object of a verb or
preposition.
Who or whom?
If you’re like most English speakers, you
know that there’s a difference between
these pronouns, but you aren’t sure what
that difference is.
After reading these notes,
you might conclude that knowing when to
use who or whom is not as difficult as you
think.
In a sentence,
who is used as a subject.
Let’s look at a couple of examples:
Who would like to go on vacation?
WHEN TO USE WHOM
• Whom is used as the object of a
• verb or preposition.
• Consider these examples:
• To whom was the letter addressed?
• Whom do you believe?
• I do not know with whom I will go to the prom.
How can you tell when your pronoun is the object of a
verb or preposition?
Try substituting “he” or “she” and “him” or “her.”
If “he” or “she” fits, you should use who. If “him” or “her”
fits, you should use whom.
Keep in mind that you may have to temporarily
rearrange the sentence a bit while you test it.
Who/whom ate my sandwich?
Who ate my sandwich?
Let’s look at another:
Who/whom should I talk to about labelling
food in the refrigerator?
Try substituting “he” and “him”: I should
talk to he. I should talk to him. “Him”
works, so the word you need is whom.
Whom should I talk to about labeling food in the
refrigerator?
You can also use questions to determine when to
use who and when to use whom.
Are you talking about someone who is doing
something?
Gina drives her mother’s car to school.
Yes, you are talking about someone doing
something, so use who in your question.
Who drives her mother’s car to school?
Now look at this sentence:
The car is driven to school by Gina.
No, the subject of the sentence (car) is
not performing the action.
Use whom in your question.
The car is driven to school by whom?
By whom is the car driven to school?
If you think the whom examples sound awkward or prissy, you are not
alone.
Many people don’t use whom in casual speech or writing.
Others use it only in well-established phrases such as “to whom it
may concern.”
Some people never use it.
It’s not unusual at all to hear sentences like these:
Who do you believe?
Who should I talk to about labelling food in the refrigerator?
Who vs. Whom Quiz
1. For each of the following, choose the correct sentence.
A) You’ll be shocked when I tell you who called me last night.
B) You’ll be shocked when I tell you whom called me last night.
2.
A) Who should I ask to the dance?
B) Whom should I ask to the dance?
3.
A)The doctor who you recommended is not available for three
months.
B) The doctor whom you recommended is not available for three
months.
4.
A)Cedric hasn’t decided whom should be appointed yet.
B)Cedric hasn’t decided who should be appointed yet.
5.
A)I’m looking for an assistant on whom I can depend.
B)I’m looking for an assistant on who I can depend.
6.
A) Whom should I say is calling?
B) Who should I say is calling?
7.
A) He is the man who we were discussing last week.
B) He is the man whom we were discussing last week.
8.
A) She is the woman whom I met for lunch yesterday.
B) She is the woman who I met for lunch yesterday.
9.
A) Whom will you be vacationing with?
B) Who will you be vacationing with?
10.
A) Whom left this report on my desk?
B) Who left this report on my desk?
For each of the following, choose the correct sentence.
1.
Correct Answer: A You’ll be shocked when I tell you
who called me last night.
Explanation: “who” is the subject of “called.”
Your Answer:
2
Correct Answer: B Whom should I ask to the dance?
Explanation: “Whom” is the object of “ask.”
Your Answer:
3.
Correct Answer: B The doctor whom you recommended is not available for
three months.
Explanation: “whom” is the object of “recommended.”
Your Answer:
4.
Correct Answer: B Cedric hasn’t decided who should be appointed yet.
Explanation: “who” is the subject of “should be appointed.”
Your Answer:
5.
Correct Answer: A I’m looking for an assistant on whom I can depend.
Explanation: “whom” is the object of “on.”
Your Answer:
6.
Correct Answer: B Who should I say is calling?
Explanation: “Who” is the subject of “is calling.”
Your Answer:
7.
Correct Answer: B He is the man whom we were discussing last
week.
Explanation: “whom” is the object of “were discussing.”
Your Answer:
8.
Correct Answer: A She is the woman whom I met for lunch
yesterday.
Explanation: “whom” is the object of “met.”
Your Answer:
9.
Correct Answer: A Whom will you be vacationing with?
Explanation: “Whom” is the object of “with.”
Your Answer:
10.
Correct Answer: B Who left this report on my desk?
Explanation: “Who” is the subject of “left.”
Your Answer:
