The pronoun "whom" is used when referring to the object of a verb or a preposition in a sentence. It is the correct choice when the pronoun is receiving the action. In contrast, "who" refers to the subject, the person performing the action.
When to Use Whom:
- Use "whom" when it acts as the object of a verb or a preposition. For example:
- "To whom did you address the letter?" (object of the preposition "to")
- "Whom did they invite to the party?" (object of the verb "invite")
- "The man with whom she spoke was kind." (object of the preposition "with")
- "Whom" is often seen in formal writing or speech and can sometimes sound awkward in casual conversation, where many people use "who" instead.
Tips to Determine Whom vs. Who:
- If you can replace the pronoun with "he," "she," or "they," use "who" (subject form).
- If you can replace the pronoun with "him," "her," or "them," use "whom" (object form).
- "Whom" always follows prepositions like "to," "for," "with," "by," etc.
Examples:
- "Who is coming to the party?" ("Who" is the subject performing the action)
- "Whom are you calling?" ("Whom" is the object receiving the action)
- "For whom is this gift?" (object of the preposition "for")
Using "whom" correctly adds formality and precision to writing and speech, though it is often omitted in everyday language.
