Academic Writing

Who And Whom

Navigating the nuances of 'who' and 'whom' can be a persistent challenge in English grammar. This guide demystifies their usage, offering practical strategies and clear examples to help students and professionals alike confidently apply these pronouns. We'll break down the core grammatical principles, provide actionable tests for choosing the correct word, and address common points of confusion, ensuring your writing is precise and polished.

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The Enduring Conundrum: Who and Whom

The distinction between 'who' and 'whom' is a classic stumbling block in English grammar, a point where even seasoned writers sometimes pause. While the rules are well-established, their application can feel elusive. This guide aims to cut through the confusion, providing a clear, practical framework for understanding and correctly using these essential pronouns. Whether you're crafting an academic essay, a professional email, or engaging in everyday conversation, mastering 'who' and 'whom' will undoubtedly enhance the clarity and precision of your communication.

Understanding the Grammatical Roles: Subject vs. Object

At its heart, the difference between 'who' and 'whom' hinges on their grammatical function within a sentence. 'Who' is a subjective pronoun, meaning it acts as the subject of a verb. The subject is the person or thing performing the action. Think of 'who' as being in the same category as other subjective pronouns like 'he,' 'she,' 'it,' 'they,' 'we,' and 'I.' Conversely, 'whom' is an objective pronoun. Objective pronouns function as the object of a verb or a preposition. They receive the action of the verb or are the target of a preposition. 'Whom' occupies the same grammatical space as objective pronouns like 'him,' 'her,' 'it,' 'them,' 'us,' and 'me.'

The 'He/Him' or 'She/Her' Test: A Simple Solution

The most reliable and widely recommended method for distinguishing between 'who' and 'whom' involves substituting them with the subjective and objective pronouns 'he/she' and 'him/her.' This technique works because 'who' aligns with 'he/she' (subjective), and 'whom' aligns with 'him/her' (objective). To apply this test, isolate the clause containing the 'who/whom' in question. Then, try replacing 'who/whom' with 'he' or 'she.' If the sentence makes sense and maintains its original meaning, 'who' is the correct choice. If, however, replacing 'who/whom' with 'him' or 'her' results in a grammatically sound and logical sentence, then 'whom' is the appropriate pronoun.

Applying the Test: Practical Examples

Example 1: Identifying the Subject

Consider the sentence: '___ is coming to the party?' First, isolate the relevant part: '___ is coming to the party.' Now, try the substitutions: * 'He is coming to the party.' (Makes sense) * 'Him is coming to the party.' (Does not make sense) Since 'he' fits, the correct pronoun is 'who.' The sentence should be: 'Who is coming to the party?' Here, 'who' is the subject performing the action of 'coming.'

Example 2: Identifying the Object

Now, let's look at: 'To ___ should I send the invitation?' Isolate the clause: 'To ___ should I send the invitation.' Try the substitutions: * 'To he should I send the invitation.' (Grammatically awkward, but the structure implies 'he' is the recipient, not the doer.) * 'To him should I send the invitation.' (Makes sense. 'Him' is the object of the preposition 'to.') Since 'him' fits, the correct pronoun is 'whom.' The sentence should be: 'To whom should I send the invitation?' Here, 'whom' is the object of the preposition 'to.'

Example 3: Within a Complex Sentence

Sentence: 'The manager spoke to the employee ___ had filed the complaint.' Isolate the subordinate clause: '___ had filed the complaint.' Apply the test: * 'He had filed the complaint.' (Makes sense) * 'Him had filed the complaint.' (Does not make sense) Therefore, 'who' is correct: 'The manager spoke to the employee who had filed the complaint.' 'Who' is the subject of the verb 'had filed.'

Example 4: Another Object Scenario

Sentence: 'She is the artist ___ I admire most.' Isolate the clause: '___ I admire most.' Apply the test: * 'I admire he most.' (Grammatically incorrect, but 'he' is the intended recipient of admiration.) * 'I admire him most.' (Makes sense. 'Him' is the direct object of the verb 'admire.') Therefore, 'whom' is correct: 'She is the artist whom I admire most.' 'Whom' is the object of the verb 'admire.'

When 'Who' and 'Whom' Appear in Questions

Questions, especially those starting with 'who' or 'whom,' can be particularly tricky. The same substitution test applies. For instance: * 'Who is at the door?' (Substitute: 'He is at the door.' -> 'Who') * 'Whom did you call?' (Substitute: 'You did call him.' -> 'Whom') In the second example, rearranging the sentence to a statement helps clarify the object relationship. 'You did call him' clearly shows 'him' as the object of 'call.' Therefore, 'whom' is correct.

Common Pitfalls and Nuances

While the 'he/him' test is highly effective, a few nuances can trip people up. One common area of confusion arises when 'who/whom' is followed by phrases like 'I think,' 'she believes,' or 'they say.' These are parenthetical or interrupting clauses that don't affect the grammatical role of 'who/whom' within the main clause. Consider: 'I believe ___ will win the award.' If you simply look at '___ will win the award,' the test points to 'who.' However, if you try to include 'I believe' directly in the substitution, it can become confusing: * 'I believe he will win the award.' (Correct, so 'who' is used) * 'I believe him will win the award.' (Incorrect) The key is to recognize that 'I believe' is separate from the core subject-verb relationship of '___ will win.' The pronoun is the subject of 'will win,' not the object of 'believe.' Therefore, 'who' is correct: 'I believe who will win the award.'

Another point to consider is the formality of 'whom.' In contemporary spoken English, 'whom' is often dropped in favor of 'who,' especially in informal contexts. For example, 'Who did you see?' is far more common than 'Whom did you see?' However, in formal writing—academic papers, professional correspondence, legal documents—correct usage of 'whom' is still expected and demonstrates a higher level of grammatical proficiency. Sticking to the rules in these contexts is advisable.

The Role of Prepositions

Prepositions are a strong indicator that 'whom' is likely the correct choice. When a preposition (like 'to,' 'for,' 'with,' 'about,' 'from,' 'by') immediately precedes the pronoun in question, that pronoun is functioning as the object of the preposition. As we've established, objective pronouns take the 'him/her' form. Examples: 'This is the colleague with* ___ I collaborated on the project.' (Substitute: 'I collaborated with him.' -> 'Whom') 'The award is for* ___ the most outstanding contribution was made.' (Substitute: 'The contribution was made for her.' -> 'Whom') It's important to note that sometimes the preposition might appear later in the sentence, but if the pronoun is still acting as its object, 'whom' is appropriate. For instance, 'The person ___ you gave the book' (The sentence implies 'You gave the book to him/her,' making 'whom' correct, even though 'to' isn't immediately preceding it).

A Practical Checklist for Usage

Identify the clause containing 'who/whom'.
Mentally substitute 'he/she' or 'him/her'.
If 'he' or 'she' fits grammatically and logically, use 'who'.
If 'him' or 'her' fits grammatically and logically, use 'whom'.
Pay attention to prepositions immediately preceding the pronoun; they usually signal the need for 'whom'.
Remember that 'who' is the subject (doer of the action), and 'whom' is the object (receiver of the action or object of a preposition).
In formal writing, adhere strictly to the rules. In informal speech, 'who' is often used even when 'whom' is technically correct.

When to Prioritize Clarity Over Strict Rules

While grammatical correctness is paramount in academic and professional settings, there are rare instances where rigidly adhering to the 'whom' rule might sound overly stilted or even obscure meaning in casual contexts. However, for the purposes of this guide, and for most formal writing scenarios, mastering the distinction is key. The 'he/him' test provides a robust and accessible method. Consistent practice and a conscious effort to analyze sentence structure will solidify your understanding and make the correct usage of 'who' and 'whom' second nature.

FAQs

Is it ever okay to use 'who' instead of 'whom' in formal writing?

In very formal writing, it's generally best to adhere to the grammatical rules and use 'whom' when it functions as an object. While informal speech often defaults to 'who,' formal contexts typically expect the correct distinction. Using 'whom' correctly demonstrates a strong command of grammar. However, if using 'whom' makes a sentence sound extremely awkward or convoluted, rephrasing the sentence for clarity might be a better option than forcing an incorrect or awkward construction.

What if I can't easily rearrange the sentence to test it?

The key is to isolate the clause containing the 'who/whom.' Even if it's a question, try to answer it as a statement. For example, if the question is 'Who/Whom did you ask?', mentally answer it: 'I asked him.' Since 'him' fits, the original question should use 'whom.' If the question is 'Who/Whom is responsible?', answer it: 'He is responsible.' Since 'he' fits, the original question should use 'who.' Focus on the pronoun's role within its own clause.

Does the 'he/him' test always work?

The 'he/him' or 'she/her' substitution test is considered the most reliable and straightforward method for determining whether to use 'who' or 'whom.' It directly addresses the core grammatical difference: 'who' as a subject (like 'he/she') and 'whom' as an object (like 'him/her'). While understanding the underlying grammatical principles is beneficial, this test provides a practical shortcut that is highly effective in most situations.