Who vs. Whom

Attribute	Who	Whom
Subject Pronoun	He, She, They, We, I	Him, Her, Them, Us, Me
Object Pronoun	Him, Her, Them, Us, Me	He, She, They, We, I
Used as a subject	Yes	No
Used as an object	No	Yes
Used to refer to people	Yes	Yes
Used to refer to objects or animals	No	No
Used in questions	Yes	Yes

Introduction

When it comes to using proper grammar, understanding the difference between "who" and "whom" is essential. These two pronouns often cause confusion, but with a clear understanding of their attributes, you can confidently use them in your writing. In this article, we will explore the characteristics of "who" and "whom" and provide examples to illustrate their correct usage.

Who

"Who" is a pronoun used as the subject of a sentence or clause. It refers to the person performing an action or being in a state of being. When using "who," you are referring to the subject of the sentence or clause. Here are some key attributes of "who":

• "Who" is used when the pronoun is the subject of a verb. For example, "Who is going to the party?"
• "Who" is also used when the pronoun is the subject complement, which follows a linking verb. For instance, "She is the one who won the competition."
• "Who" is used in questions to inquire about the identity of a person. For example, "Who is the new employee?"
• "Who" can be used to introduce a relative clause that provides additional information about the subject. For instance, "The woman who lives next door is a doctor."
• "Who" can be used as part of an indirect question. For example, "I wonder who will be the next president."

Whom

"Whom" is a pronoun used as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to the person receiving an action or being in a state of being. When using "whom," you are referring to the object of the sentence or clause. Here are some key attributes of "whom":

• "Whom" is used when the pronoun is the direct object of a verb. For example, "She saw whom at the party?"
• "Whom" is also used when the pronoun is the indirect object of a verb. For instance, "To whom did you give the gift?"
• "Whom" is used after prepositions. For example, "The letter is for whom?"
• "Whom" can be used to introduce a relative clause that provides additional information about the object. For instance, "The person whom I met yesterday was very friendly."

Examples

Let's take a look at some examples to further illustrate the correct usage of "who" and "whom":

Examples using "Who"

• "Who is the best candidate for the job?"
• "She is the one who won the lottery."
• "Who is going to the concert tonight?"
• "The man who helped me was very kind."
• "I wonder who will be the next guest on the show."

Examples using "Whom"

• "Whom did you invite to the party?"
• "To whom should I address this letter?"
• "For whom is this gift intended?"
• "The person whom I met yesterday was very knowledgeable."

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the attributes of "who" and "whom" is crucial for using them correctly in your writing. "Who" is used as the subject of a sentence or clause, while "whom" is used as the object of a verb or preposition. By keeping these distinctions in mind and practicing with examples, you can confidently choose the appropriate pronoun in any given context. So, next time you find yourself wondering whether to use "who" or "whom," remember their respective roles and apply them accurately in your sentences.