The difference between who vs whom is one of the most common grammar confusions in English. Even native speakers often misuse these words because they sound similar. However, understanding the difference between who vs whom is easier than you might think.
In this article, you will learn the difference between who vs whom, when to use each one of them, and helpful tips to remember the difference between them.
Many English learners struggle with who vs whom because their meanings seem interchangeable. However, these two words serve different grammatical roles in English communication.
Who is a subject pronoun, which means that it refers to the person acting.
On the other hand, whom is an object pronoun and is used to refer to the person who receives an action in the sentence.
Using who instead of whom or vice versa can make a sentence grammatically incorrect. However, there are simple rules to remember their correct usage and avoid mistakes.
Definition and Function of Who
Who is used as a subject pronoun just like we use other pronouns such as he, she, and they. Who refers to the person who performs an action in the sentence.
For example:
- Who is calling?
- Who wrote this book?
- Who won the race?
Definition and Function of Whom
Whom is an object pronoun just like him, her, or them. It refers to the person who receives the action in the sentence.
For example:
- To whom should I address the letter?
- Whom did you invite?
- With whom are you going?
Who vs Whom: Key Grammar Rules
The best way to decide whether to use who vs whom in the sentence is to determine their role in the sentence.
Subject vs Object Distinction
If the word is performing the action in the sentence, use the word who. For instance:
- Who is talking?
On the other hand, if the word is receiving an action in the sentence, then use the word whom. For example:
- Whom did you see?
The Substitution Trick: He vs Him Method
A simple trick to check if you need who or whom is to replace it with he or him. See the examples:
- If he sounds correct, use who
- If him sounds correct – use whom
Examples:
(who/whom) did you call?
Try the substitution:
- Did you call him?
Since him is correct, the answer is:
- Whom did you call?
This method works in most cases and makes choosing between who vs whom much easier.
Examples of Who vs Whom in Sentences
- Who wants to go to the park?
- Who wrote this poem?
- Do you know who called me?
- Who is responsible for this project?
- I wonder who will win the competition.
Correct usage of whom
- To whom should I send this email?
- Whom did you see at the meeting?
- She is the person with whom I traveled.
- Whom do you trust the most?
- For whom is this gift?
Conclusion
Who and whom are commonly used in English conversations, and learning to use both words correctly is essential for clear and grammatically correct communication.
The difference between who vs whom comes down to subject vs object usage. When you are referring to the subject (he/she/the), use who. If you are referring to the object (him/her/them), then use whom in the sentence.
By following these simple rules and using substitution tricks, you can avoid confusion and use who vs whom correctly in your sentences.
I hope this article helped you to learn the definition and functions of who vs whom, their difference, and examples of using both words correctly in your speaking and writing.
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