Whom vs Who: Tips and Tricks to Master These Confusing Words

Ever feel like you’re walking a tightrope when choosing between whom vs who? You’re not alone. These two little words trip up even seasoned writers. We’ll help you banish this grammar anxiety for good.

This guide provides clear explanations and practical tips, so you can finally master who and whom. We will cover:

First of all, simple rules for using who and whom correctly.
Then, some real-world examples to illustrate proper usage.
Also, memory tricks to help you remember the difference.
Lastly, common mistakes to avoid.

Table of Contents

Simple Rules for Using Who and Whom Correctly

Let’s break down the difference between whom vs who once and for all. Think of it this way: who acts like he, she, or they, while whom acts like him, her, or them. This simple substitution trick will get you far.

Subject: Use who when the word performs the action in the sentence. For example, “Who ate the cookies?” Here, who is the subject doing the eating. You could replace it with “She ate the cookies.”
Object: Use whom when the word receives the action. For instance, “To whom did you give the book?” In this case, whom is receiving the book. You could replace it with “You gave the book to him.”
Trick: If you can replace the word with he, she, or they, use who. If you can replace it with him, her, or them, use whom. It’s that simple.
Example 1: “Who is going to the party?” (He is going.)
Example 2: “Whom did you invite?” (You invited him.)

This substitution trick is your best friend when dealing with these tricky words. Practice it, and you’ll quickly become a who/whom pro. Furthermore, remember this: whom is becoming less common in everyday speech, but using it correctly shows attention to detail, so it is still beneficial to know the rules.

Real-World Examples to Illustrate Proper Usage

Now, let’s see these rules in action with some real-world examples. Seeing how who and whom function in context will solidify your understanding.

Example 1: “Who is the author of this book?” (She is the author.) Who is the subject.
Example 2: “Whom did you meet at the conference?” (You met her at the conference.) Whom is the object.
Example 3: “The person who called earlier left a message.” (He called earlier.) Who is the subject within the clause.
Example 4: “To whom it may concern: I am writing to complain.” (It may concern him/her.) Whom is the object of the preposition “to.”
Example 5: “Who do you think will win the election?” This one’s tricky. The entire clause “who will win” is the object of “do you think”. Who is the subject within that clause.
Example 6: “Whom do you believe is responsible?” Here, “whom” is the object of “do you believe”. The clause “whom is responsible” is the direct object of the verb. Within that clause, “whom” acts as the subject, but the entire clause is the object of the verb. Because of this structure, “whom” is used as the object of the main verb, even though it’s the subject of the subordinate clause.

So, these examples show the variety of ways who and whom can appear in sentences. Pay close attention to the role each word plays. As a result, you’ll be able to choose the correct word every time. Moreover, remember our trick: if you can replace the word with he/she/they, use who. If you can replace it with him/her/them, use whom.

Memory Tricks to Help You Remember the Difference

Grammar rules can be hard to memorize. So, we’ll equip you with some handy memory tricks to distinguish between who and whom. These clever tools will make remembering the difference a breeze.

Trick 1: “M” is for “Him/Her/Them”: Notice that whom has an “m” just like him, her, and them. This connection can help you remember that whom is used when the word acts as an object.
Trick 2: Rephrase the Question: If you’re unsure whether to use who or whom in a question, try rephrasing it as a statement. For example, “Whom did you see?” becomes “You saw him/her/them.” Since “him/her/them” is the object pronoun, you know to use whom.
Trick 3: “Who” Does the Action: Remember that who performs the action. If the word is doing something, it’s likely who. Think of it like this: “Who’s in charge?” (He/She is in charge.)
Trick 4: “Whom” Receives the Action: Conversely, whom receives the action. “To whom did you give the gift?” (You gave the gift to him/her/them.)
Trick 5: Practice Makes Perfect: The more you use these tricks, the easier it will become to choose between who and whom. Try writing your own sentences and practicing the substitution method.

In the end, you can even use Arvin, our AI-powered browser extension, to check your work. Arvin can instantly analyze your sentences and provide feedback on your grammar, including who and whom usage. This way, you can learn from your mistakes and improve your skills. Furthermore, consider creating flashcards or using online quizzes to reinforce your knowledge.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to make mistakes with who and whom. Let’s look at some common pitfalls to avoid, so you can keep your grammar sharp.

Mistake 1: Overusing “Whom”: Sometimes, people try too hard to use whom, thinking it sounds more formal. However, using it incorrectly can make you sound pretentious. Remember, simplicity is key. If who works, use it.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the Object of Prepositions: Whom often follows prepositions like to, for, with, and by. For example, “To whom did you address the letter?” Don’t fall into the trap of using who in these cases.
Mistake 3: Confusing Subject and Object in Clauses: Within a clause, who and whom still follow the same rules. “The person who I saw yesterday” is incorrect. It should be “The person whom I saw yesterday” because whom is the object of the verb “saw” within the clause.
Mistake 4: Not Using the Substitution Trick: The substitution trick is your most powerful tool. Don’t skip it. If you’re unsure, try replacing the word with he/him, she/her, or they/them. This simple step can prevent many errors.
Mistake 5: Relying on Intuition: While intuition can sometimes help, it’s not always reliable with who and whom. Rely on the rules and tricks we’ve discussed.

Who Knew Grammar Could Be This Easy?

Mastering whom vs who difference might seem tricky at first, but with these simple rules, examples, and memory tricks, you’ll be using them correctly in no time. Practice makes perfect, so put these tips into action.

Here’s a quick recap of what we covered on whom vs who:

Firstly, who is the subject (like he, she, they).
Secondly, whom is the object (like him, her, them).
Then, use the substitution trick: he/she/they = who; him/her/them = whom.
Also, pay attention to objects of prepositions.
Lastly, avoid overusing whom.

Now, you can confidently tackle any sentence with who or whom. And for an extra layer of confidence, remember Arvin is always there to lend a hand. Arvin can check your grammar instantly, making sure you’re always putting your best writing forward. It’s like having a grammar expert at your fingertips, ready to help you polish your prose.

FAQs About Whom vs Who

Who vs Whom Examples Sentences?

Who: “Who is going to the store?” (He is going.) “Who wrote that amazing article?” (She wrote it.)
Whom: “To whom did you give the keys?” (You gave them to him.) “Whom did you invite to the party?” (You invited her.)

How Do You Use Whom in a Sentence?

Whom is used as the object of a verb or preposition. It receives the action. For example: “The person whom I saw yesterday works here.” (I saw him yesterday.) “With whom did you discuss the project?” (You discussed the project with him.)

Who vs Whom vs Whose?

Firstly, Who: Subject pronoun (He/She/They).
Secondly, Whom: Object pronoun (Him/Her/Them).
Lastly, Whose: Possessive pronoun (His/Hers/Theirs). For example: “Whose car is this?”

Who and Whom Exercises?

Looking for practice? Try filling in the blanks in these sentences:

____ is at the door?
To ____ did you speak?
____ car is parked outside?
____ do you think will win?
____ did you see at the game?

(Answers: 1. Who, 2. Whom, 3. Whose, 4. Who, 5. Whom)