Who vs. Whom

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:
  1. “Who is that person over there?”
  2. “Guess who called you earlier?”
• Formal Environments:
  1. “To whom should I address my concerns?”
  2. “Who will be leading the presentation?”

Professional and Academic Writing:

• Business Correspondence:
  1. “Whom it may concern” (formal salutation in letters).
  2. “The manager, who oversees the project, provided valuable insights.”
• Academic Papers:
  1. “The professor, to whom the students turned for guidance, received accolades.”
  2. “Students who submit assignments on time earn better grades.”

Navigating Relative Clauses:

• Identifying Clauses:
  1. “The candidate who impressed the interviewers got the job.”
  2. “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.