Understanding the Basics:
- Who: The Subject Pronoun: “Who” is a subject pronoun referring to the person acting in a sentence.
Example: “Who is coming to the party?” - Whom: The Object Pronoun: “Whom” is an object pronoun used to refer to the person who is the subject of an action.
Example: “To whom did you address the letter?”
Determining Usage: A Simple Guide:
- Subject and Verb Relationship: Use “who” when the pronoun is the subject of a verb.
Example: “Who is responsible for this decision?” - Object of a Verb or Preposition: Use “whom” when the pronoun is the object of a verb or preposition.
Example: “Whom did you invite to the event?” - Testing with Pronouns: Replace “who” with “he” or “she,” and “whom” with “him” or “her” to check for accuracy.
Example: “Give it to who?” becomes “Give it to him.” Therefore, “whom” is correct.
Common Pitfalls and Clarifications:
- Avoiding Overformality: While “whom” is technically correct in formal contexts, using “who” in everyday conversation is widely accepted.
Example: “Who should I contact for further information?” - Distinguishing Clauses: In relative clauses, determining the subject or object relationship helps choose between “who” and “whom.”
Example: “The person who helped us” (subject) vs. “The person whom we helped” (object).
Everyday Conversations:
- Casual Settings:
“Who is that person over there?”
“Guess who called you earlier?” - Formal Environments:
“To whom should I address my concerns?”
“Who will be leading the presentation?”
Professional and Academic Writing:
- Business Correspondence:
“Whom it may concern” (formal salutation in letters).
“The manager, who oversees the project, provided valuable insights.” - Academic Papers:
“The professor, to whom the students turned for guidance, received accolades.”
“Students who submit assignments on time earn better grades.”
Navigating Relative Clauses:
- Identifying Clauses:
“The candidate who impressed the interviewers got the job.”
“She is the person whom I admire for her resilience.” - Subject and Object Roles:
“Who” is the subject in the first example, and “whom” is the object in the second.
