When to use 'who' and when to use 'whom'.
To help understand the difference between the use of these two words,
it's helpful to understand the difference between a subject
and an object. The subject of a sentence is the person or thing
performing the action. The object of the sentence is the person or thing
receiving the action.
Let's use this sentence as an example: 'Max saw
Alison at the shops.'
Max is performing the action; he did the seeing.
Max is the subject. Alison is receiving the action.
She was seen by Max. Alison is the object. This is important to know because the
pronouns we use depend on whether we refer to a subject
or an object. When referring to a subject, we use these
pronouns: 'I', 'you', 'he', 'she', 'it', 'we' and 'they'.
When referring to an object, we use these pronouns: 'me', 'you',
'him', 'her', 'it', 'us' and 'them'.
We might say 'He saw Alison at the shops.', but we couldn't say 'Him saw Alison at
the shops.'
We might say 'Max saw her at the shops.' but we couldn't say 'Max saw she at the shops.'
The difference in the use of 'who' and 'whom' comes down to whether we are
referring to the subject or an object. 'Who' is used to refer to the
subject of a sentence, while 'whom' is used to refer to the
object of a sentence. Look at the following sentence.
Should we use 'who' or 'whom'? To decide,
we need to know if we're referring to the subject or the object
The subject of the sentence is Max, because he is
doing the 'seeing'. The question is referring to the person
receiving the action- the object. We'll need the pronoun that refers to an
object.
The pronoun 'whom' refers to objects.
Therefore, 'Whom did max see at the shops?' is correct.
If subjects and objects are still a little confusing,
there is a simpler way. We can substitute the words
'he' or 'she' and 'him' or 'her' to help us decide whether we should be using
'who' or 'whom'.
If the question can be answered using the pronouns
'he' or 'she', then the word 'who' is used. If the question can be answered using
the pronouns 'him' or 'her', then the word 'whom' is used.
Let's apply that trick using our first example.
'Whom did max see at the shops?'
We can answer this question with 'Max saw her at the shops.'
Because it can be answered with the object pronoun 'her',
we know to use the pronoun 'whom'.
Let's try a new sentence: 'Who/whom asked Grace to dance?'
Which words can be used to answer the question? 'He' and 'she',
or 'him' and 'her'?
The question can be answered with 'he' or 'she'.
For example, 'He asked grace to dance.' We must therefore use the word 'who'; the
subject pronoun.
Try these next sentences yourself. Work out whether 'who'
or 'whom' is needed. Pause here while you work.
Let's go through them. The first we can answer using the subject pronoun
'he' or 'she'. For example, 'He is ready.' This means that we need the subject
pronoun 'who'.
The second can be answered using the object pronoun
'him' or 'her'. For example 'I took him to the beach.'
This means we need the object pronoun 'whom'.
The third can be answered using the subject pronoun.
For example, 'He must apologise.' The word 'who' must be used.
Number four could be answered with 'him' or 'her'.
'I am baking for him.' The word 'whom' is correct.
The last: 'To whom should I address the letter?'
This is correct because it could be answered 'You should address the letter to him.'
'Whom' is always used after a preposition.
For example, ...to whom, ...from whom, ...with whom, ...for whom.
Remember, if 'he' or 'she' can be substituted in,
use 'who'.
If 'him' or 'her' can be substituted in,
use 'whom'.
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