People Who or People Whom? Correct Usage and Examples Explained

Christopher

The difference between “who” and “whom” often trips up even seasoned writers.

Despite their seeming simplicity, these pronouns have specific rules that can enhance clarity and precision in both writing and speech.

Use “who” as a subject pronoun (e.g., Who called you?) and “whom” as an object pronoun (e.g., To whom did you speak?).

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll demystify “who” versus “whom,” explore their usage in various contexts, and provide practical tips to master their correct application.

Key Differences Between “Who” and “Whom”

PronounFunctionExampleQuick Tip
WhoSubject pronoun (does the action)Who is calling?Replace with “he/she” (e.g., He is calling).
WhomObject pronoun (receives the action)To whom did you speak?Replace with “him/her” (e.g., To him you spoke).

The Basics of “Who” and “Whom”

Understanding “who” and “whom” starts with grasping their basic functions in a sentence.

  • “Who” is a subject pronoun. It is used when referring to the person performing the action in a sentence.
    • Example: Who is coming to the party? (Here, “who” is the subject performing the action of coming.)
  • “Whom” is an object pronoun. It is used when referring to the person receiving the action.
    • Example: Whom did you invite to the party? (Here, “whom” is the object receiving the action of inviting.)

Grammar Rule:

  • Use “who” when the pronoun is the subject of the verb.
  • Use “whom” when the pronoun is the object of the verb or preposition.

Understanding Subject and Object Pronouns

To master “who” and “whom,” it’s crucial to understand subject and object pronouns:

Subject Pronouns

These pronouns perform the action of the verb:

  • I
  • You
  • He
  • She
  • It
  • We
  • They
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Example: She is writing a letter. (She is the subject performing the action of writing.)

Object Pronouns

These pronouns receive the action of the verb:

  • Me
  • You
  • Him
  • Her
  • It
  • Us
  • Them

Example: The teacher gave me a book. (Me is the object receiving the action of giving.)

Connection to “Who” and “Whom”:

  • “Who” acts as a subject pronoun (e.g., Who called me?).
  • “Whom” acts as an object pronoun (e.g., To whom did you give the book?).

Simple Tricks to Determine When to Use “Who” and “Whom”

Determining whether to use “who” or “whom” can be simplified with a few tricks:

Test Method

  1. Replace with “He/She” or “Him/Her”: Substitute “who” or “whom” with “he/she” (for “who”) and “him/her” (for “whom”).
    • Example: Who/Whom is going to the concert? Replace with He/She is going to the concert (so, use “who”).
    • Example: To who/whom did you give the book? Replace with To him/her did you give the book? (so, use “whom”).
  2. Ask Questions: Frame a question to check if “who” or “whom” is the subject or object.
    • Example: Who is calling? (Subject: He/She is calling.)
    • Example: Whom did you see? (Object: You saw him/her.)

Quick Checks

  1. Subject: If the pronoun is doing the action, use “who.”
  2. Object: If the pronoun is receiving the action, use “whom.”

Substitution Method: Pronoun Replacement

A practical way to decide between “who” and “whom” involves substitution. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Identify the Clause: Determine if the clause is subject or object.
    • Example: Who/Whom is the winner? Identify that “who” is the subject.
  2. Substitute Pronouns: Replace “who” with “he/she” and “whom” with “him/her.”
    • Example: Who is the manager? Replace with He is the manager (so, use “who”).
    • Example: To whom did you send the letter? Replace with To him did you send the letter? (so, use “whom”).
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Examples of Pronoun Replacement

SentenceCorrect PronounReplacement Test
Who/Whom is calling?WhoHe is calling.
To who/whom did you speak?WhomTo him did you speak?

Real-World Examples to Master “Who” and “Whom”

Here’s a deeper look into common mistakes and correct usage:

Common Mistakes

  • Incorrect: Who did you give the book to? (Should be “whom”)
  • Incorrect: To who should I address the letter? (Should be “whom”)

Correct Usage

  • Correct: Whom did you give the book to?
  • Correct: To whom should I address the letter?

Contextual Variations

  • Formal Writing: Use “whom” to maintain a formal tone.
  • Informal Writing: “Who” is often used in conversational contexts.

The Decline of “Whom” in Modern Usage

The use of “whom” has been declining, particularly in casual conversation and informal writing.

Trend Analysis

  • Historical Use: “Whom” was once the standard in both written and spoken English.
  • Modern Trends: The frequency of “whom” in written and spoken English has decreased, with many opting for “who” instead.

Impact on Formal Writing

  • Professional Contexts: “Whom” remains preferred in formal and academic writing, such as legal documents and scholarly articles.

The Role of Formality in the Usage of “Whom”

The choice between “who” and “whom” often depends on the level of formality required.

Formal vs. Informal Contexts

  • Formal: Use “whom” in professional and academic writing for precision.
    • Example: Whom did the committee select for the award?
  • Informal: “Who” is acceptable in everyday conversation and informal writing.
    • Example: Who is your favorite author?

Conversational vs. Written English

  • Conversational: “Who” is commonly used even when “whom” is technically correct.
  • Written: Adhere to grammatical rules for clarity and professionalism.
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Expert Insights on “Who” versus “Whom”

Linguistic Expert Opinions

According to linguist John McWhorter, the decline of “whom” reflects a natural evolution in language, where simplicity often takes precedence over strict grammatical rules. He notes that while “whom” is still taught and used in formal contexts, its usage in casual speech is waning.

Current Trends

Experts suggest that while “whom” is not obsolete, its use should be reserved for formal occasions to maintain traditional grammatical standards.

Final Tips on Perfecting Your “Who” and “Whom” Usage

To perfect your use of “who” and “whom,” keep these tips in mind:

  1. Quick Reference Guide:
    • “Who”: Subject pronoun, use when the pronoun is the actor.
    • “Whom”: Object pronoun, use when the pronoun is the recipient.
  2. Practice: Regularly use these pronouns in writing and speech to reinforce correct usage.
  3. Consult Resources: Use grammar guides and tools for additional practice.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Frequent Errors

  • Using “who” when “whom” is needed: Common in informal speech but incorrect in formal writing.
  • Confusing subject and object roles: Misidentifying the role of the pronoun in the sentence.

Clarifications

  • Prepositional Phrases: “Whom” often follows prepositions (e.g., with whom).
  • Complex Sentences: Ensure the pronoun matches the correct clause.

Grammatical Nuances and Additional Resources

Advanced Concepts

  • Relative Clauses: Both “who” and “whom” can be used in relative clauses, with “who” being more common.
    • Example: The person who called you is here.

Further Reading

  • Books: The Elements of Style by Strunk and White.
  • Websites: Grammarly Blog, Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary.

Conclusion

Mastering the use of “who” and “whom” enhances your writing’s clarity and professionalism.

While “who” has become more prevalent, “whom” retains its place in formal contexts. By understanding the grammatical rules, practicing regularly, and being mindful of the context, you can navigate these pronouns with confidence.

Call to Action

Have questions or examples of “who” and “whom” in use? Share your thoughts in the comments below! For more insights, explore our additional resources linked above.

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About the author

As an experienced English teacher, I’m Jessica Thompson, here to make grammar and vocabulary simple and fun. Join me on TalkSpeaker as we explore the language together, one lesson at a time!

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