American English Grammar: Who vs. Whom Explained

The distinction between “who” and “whom” is a common source of confusion in the English language, often leading to uncertainty in both spoken and written communication. At its core, the difference lies in the grammatical roles that these two pronouns play within a sentence. “Who” is used as a subject pronoun, while “whom” functions as an object pronoun.

This fundamental rule is essential for constructing grammatically correct sentences and conveying clear meaning. To illustrate this difference, consider the roles of subjects and objects in a sentence. The subject is the doer of the action, while the object is the receiver of that action.

For example, in the sentence “Who is going to the store?” the word “who” serves as the subject, indicating the person performing the action of going. Conversely, in the sentence “To whom should I address the letter?” “whom” acts as the object of the preposition “to,” indicating the recipient of the action. Understanding these roles is crucial for mastering the use of these pronouns.

Key Takeaways

• “Who” is used as a subject in a sentence, while “whom” is used as an object.
• Use “who” when referring to the subject of a sentence or clause.
• Use “whom” when referring to the object of a verb or preposition.
• Avoid the common mistake of using “whom” as the subject of a sentence.
• Remember the difference by substituting “he” or “she” for “who” and “him” or “her” for “whom” in the sentence.

When to Use “Who”

The pronoun “who” is employed when referring to the subject of a verb. It is used to ask questions or make statements about individuals performing an action.

For instance, in a sentence like “Who called you last night?

” the word “who” identifies the person who initiated the call, thus serving as the subject of the verb “called.” This usage is straightforward and often intuitive for speakers of English, as it aligns with our natural inclination to identify agents in a sentence.

In addition to its interrogative function, “who” can also be used in relative clauses to provide additional information about a noun. For example, in the sentence “The teacher who inspired me is retiring,” “who” introduces a clause that describes “the teacher.” Here, it connects the subject of the clause to the noun it modifies, enhancing our understanding of which teacher is being referenced. This dual function—both as an interrogative and a relative pronoun—makes “who” a versatile component of English grammar.

When to Use “Whom”

In contrast to “who,” the pronoun “whom” is reserved for instances where it serves as an object within a sentence. This includes situations where it follows prepositions or acts as the direct or indirect object of a verb. For example, in the question “Whom did you see at the party?” “whom” is the object of the verb “see,” indicating who was seen by the speaker.

This usage can often feel more formal or archaic, which contributes to some speakers’ hesitance in using it correctly. Moreover, “whom” can also appear in relative clauses, similar to “who,” but with a focus on objects rather than subjects. For instance, in the sentence “The author whom I admire has published a new book,” “whom” serves as the object of the verb “admire.” This distinction is crucial for maintaining grammatical accuracy and clarity in communication.

While many speakers may default to using “who” in all contexts due to its more casual nature, recognizing when to use “whom” can elevate one’s writing and speech.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One prevalent mistake that many people make is using “who” when they should use “whom.” This often occurs because speakers are more accustomed to using “who” in everyday conversation, leading them to overlook grammatical rules. For example, someone might say, “Who are you going to invite?” instead of the more grammatically correct form, “Whom are you going to invite?” This error can detract from the perceived professionalism or correctness of one’s language. Another common pitfall involves confusion surrounding prepositions.

Many speakers struggle with sentences that require “whom” after prepositions, such as “to,” “for,” or “with.” A typical mistake might be saying, “To who should I send this package?” instead of correctly phrasing it as, “To whom should I send this package?” Such errors can be particularly noticeable in formal writing or public speaking, where adherence to grammatical conventions is expected.

Tips for Remembering the Difference

To effectively remember when to use “who” versus “whom,” one helpful strategy is to rephrase your question or statement into a complete sentence. If you can substitute the pronoun with a subject pronoun like “he” or “she,” then “who” is appropriate. For instance, if you are unsure whether to use “who” or “whom” in a question like “Who/Whom is coming to dinner?” you can rephrase it: “He is coming to dinner,” which indicates that “who” is correct.

Another useful tip involves focusing on prepositions. If your sentence includes a preposition before the pronoun, it’s likely that “whom” should be used. For example, in “With who/whom are you going?” rephrasing it as “I am going with him” clarifies that “whom” is appropriate here.

By practicing this method regularly, you can develop a more intuitive grasp of when to use each pronoun.

Examples of “Who” in Sentences

To further clarify how to use “who,” consider these examples that showcase its role as a subject pronoun. In the sentence “Who will lead the project?” we see “who” functioning as the subject performing the action of leading. Similarly, “Who wrote this book?” highlights “who” as the doer of writing.

These examples illustrate how “who” identifies individuals taking action within various contexts. In addition to questions, “who” can also be used in declarative sentences. For instance, “The scientist who discovered penicillin changed medicine forever” uses “who” to introduce additional information about “the scientist.” Here, it serves not only as a subject but also enriches our understanding of who made a significant contribution to science.

Such examples demonstrate how “who” can effectively convey both inquiry and information.

Examples of “Whom” in Sentences

When examining examples of “whom,” it’s essential to recognize its role as an object pronoun within sentences. For instance, in “Whom did you invite to your wedding?” “whom” serves as the object of the verb “invite,” indicating who was invited by the speaker.

Another example could be “To whom should I send this email?

” where “whom” follows the preposition “to,” clearly marking its grammatical function.

Additionally, “whom” can appear in relative clauses as well. Consider the sentence “The musician whom I admire will perform tonight.” Here, “whom” acts as the object of admiration within the clause that provides more context about “the musician.” Such examples highlight how “whom” can be effectively utilized in both questions and statements while maintaining grammatical integrity.

Practice Exercises for Using “Who” and “Whom”

To solidify your understanding of when to use “who” and “whom,” engaging in practice exercises can be highly beneficial. One exercise could involve filling in blanks with either pronoun based on context. For example: “___ is responsible for this project?” (Answer: Who) or “I spoke with ___ yesterday.” (Answer: Whom).

Such exercises encourage active engagement with grammatical rules and help reinforce learning. Another effective practice method involves rewriting sentences by substituting “who” and “whom” appropriately based on their roles within different contexts. For instance, take a sentence like “___ will join us for dinner?” and transform it into “___ did you see at the event?” This exercise not only tests your knowledge but also enhances your ability to apply these pronouns correctly in various scenarios.

By consistently practicing these exercises and applying tips for remembering their usage, you can develop greater confidence in distinguishing between “who” and “whom.” This mastery will not only improve your grammatical accuracy but also enhance your overall communication skills in both written and spoken forms.

If you are interested in improving your English language skills, you may also want to check out this article on how to improve English reading. This guide offers valuable tips and strategies for ESL students looking to enhance their reading comprehension and fluency in English. By combining resources like this with lessons on American English grammar, such as the proper use of “who” vs. “whom,” you can make significant progress in your language learning journey.

FAQs

What is the difference between “who” and “whom” in American English grammar?

In American English grammar, “who” is used as a subject pronoun, while “whom” is used as an object pronoun. “Who” is used to refer to the subject of a sentence, while “whom” is used to refer to the object of a verb or preposition.

When should “who” be used in a sentence?

“Who” should be used in a sentence when referring to the subject of a sentence or clause. For example, “Who is coming to the party?”

When should “whom” be used in a sentence?

“Whom” should be used in a sentence when referring to the object of a verb or preposition. For example, “To whom did you give the gift?”

How can I determine whether to use “who” or “whom” in a sentence?

To determine whether to use “who” or “whom” in a sentence, you can rephrase the sentence and see if “he” or “she” fits (use “who”) or if “him” or “her” fits (use “whom”). For example, “Who/Whom is going to the store?” You can rephrase it as “He is going to the store” (use “who”) or “I gave it to him” (use “whom”).

Is the use of “whom” becoming less common in American English?

Yes, the use of “whom” is becoming less common in American English, and many people use “who” in both subject and object positions. However, in formal writing and in more traditional grammar, “whom” is still used to indicate the object of a verb or preposition.