Who and whom are two words that might look similar but have different meanings.
These two words confuse many people while taking IELTS Writing and Speaking Tests. Even native English speakers get confused between them. Therefore, it is essential to understand the difference between who and whom.
We have explained in detail the definition and application of both the words in a sentence and their synonyms to help you understand the words better and use them wisely in your IELTS preparation and in daily conversation.
So, let’s get started.
Difference between Who vs Whom
‘Who’ is always used as a subjective pronoun, meaning it is the subject of a verb in a sentence. On the other hand, ‘whom’ is an objective pronoun and is always used as an object in a sentence.
To clarify further, let’s look at examples when we use ‘who’, which refers to the doer of an action. For instance, we can say, ‘That’s the boy who baked the cake’. Here, ‘who’ represents the subject of the verb ‘baked’ because the boy does the baking.
Alternatively, when we use ‘whom’, it means the object of the verb. It also refers to the receiver of an action. For example, we can say, ‘To whom it may concern, I am writing to inquire about the job vacancy at your company.’ Here, ‘whom’ is the object of the verb ‘inquire’, not ‘like’.
Refer to the table below to learn more about who vs. whom.
| Category | Who | Whom |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Pronoun | Subjective | Objective |
| Usage in a Sentence | It is the subject of a verb in a sentence. | It is the object of a verb in a sentence. |
| Type of Causative Verb | Doer of an action. | Receiver of an action. |
| Context | Informal | Formal |
| Example | Who bought the painting? | My brother is a kind man whom I adore. |
Grammar Rules for Who vs Whom
Some essential grammar rules for who vs whom are as follows:
- “Who” should be used when referring to the subject of a sentence, while “whom” refers to the object of a verb or preposition.
- “Whom” is the correct choice after a preposition. Instead of saying “with whom” or “one of whom,” it is grammatically correct to say “with whom” or “one of whom.”
- When a preposition is used at the beginning of a sentence or clause, you should always use ‘whom’. For example, instead of saying ‘to whom’, you should say ‘whom’. Similarly, instead of saying “for who,” you should say “for whom.”
Usage of Who vs Whom Sentences in English
Who vs whom can be used in different ways in a sentence. Let’s delve into the detailed explanation of the usage of who and whom.
How to Use Who in a Sentence?
Below are the various ways to use who in a sentence.
- To ask a question, “who” can be used as an interrogative pronoun.
- Examples of using “who” as an interrogative pronoun are: “Who stole the jewellery?” and “Who do you think you are talking to?”
- “Who” can also be used as a relative pronoun, connecting a main clause to a relative clause.
- If the relative clause gives essential information, it stays with the main clause.
- If the relative clause does not give important information, it is separated from the main clause with commas.
- Examples of using “who” as a relative pronoun are: “The woman who works at the pharmacy is beautiful.” and “The scientist who discovered the medicine by mistake has received numerous grants.”
Explore all countries
Get a Free IELTS Vocabulary Cheatsheet
With 350+ words you should know for a 7+ IELTS band score.
How to Use Whom in a Sentence?
Below are the different whom sentence examples to help you frame better responses:
- “Whom” can be used as a verb or preposition object.
- Examples of using “who” as a verb or preposition object are: “From whom did we receive these gifts?” and “There’s no one whom I like more.”
- “Whom” can also be used as a relative pronoun, connecting a main clause to a relative clause.
- If the relative clause gives essential information, it stays with the main clause.
- If the relative clause does not give important information, it is separated from the main clause with commas.
- Examples of using “whom” as a relative pronoun are: “My father is an intelligent man whom I admire” and “Sana, with whom I study, can speak five languages.”
Read about other confusing words:
When to use Who vs Whom
Rule 1: Subject or Object?
If you want to determine if a pronoun is a subject or object, you should replace Who and whom with ‘he’ and ‘she’ or ‘him’ and ‘her.’
If ‘he’ or ‘she’ in the sentence makes sense grammatically, then the pronoun is the verb’s subject. If you have to use ‘him’ or ‘her’, which fits well, it is an object to the sentence.
Rule 2: Beginning with a question
Both the words ‘who’ and ‘whom’ can be applied at the beginning of the question as interrogative pronouns.
You can start with ‘who’ if the subject pronoun is he, she, it, or they.
Rule 3: Dependent Clause
Pronouns can be used to refer to individuals who wish to be referred to to indicate their gender identity. Relative pronouns provide more information on the subject of the sentence. Who and Whom can function as relative pronouns, which means it means the noun or noun phrase earlier in the sentence.
Rule 4: Whoever and Whomever
The rules applied to ‘who’ is the same for ‘whoever’. The rules applied to ’ whom’ are the same for ‘whomever’.
5 Examples of Who and Whom
Listed below are some examples of who and whom for a better understanding of the differences and principles of who and whom.
Who
- The girl who sat beside her was her daughter.
- Are you going to tell me who she is?
- I guess because the only one who should be looking at it is my mother.
- I have a close friend who is a talented musician and plays multiple instruments.
- He is the one who found the hidden treasure in the ancient ruins.
Whom
- The person with whom I went to the concert was a childhood friend.
- I have a close friend with whom I can share my deepest secrets.
- I have a colleague with whom I share common interests in history.
- Riya, with whom I work closely, is an excellent team player.
- We attended an art workshop with professionals with whom we gained valuable insights.
Also, read other grammar topics:
- Subject and Object
- Masculine and Feminine
- Abbreviations and Acronyms
- Homonyms vs Homophones vs Homographs
Complex Usage of Who vs Whom
You have learned the basics of who vs whom, but it can be more complicated. Let’s look at the example given below:
“A number of colleagues went to the cafe, one of who/whom was the birthday girl.”
The correct usage here is ‘whom’, so the sentence should be:
“A number of colleagues went to the cafe, one of whom was the birthday girl.”
The reason is that “whom” is the object of the verb “was” in the subordinate clause “one of whom,” and it reflects the relationship between the pronoun and the verb in this context.
Final Thoughts
Knowing when to use “who” and “whom” is important for clear communication. It might seem like a small grammar detail, but it makes a big difference. In IELTS preparation, this skill is really important. It shows that you’re good with language.
This is important for getting a good score on the test. So, understanding when to use “who” and “whom” is not just about grammar. It’s a smart move to do well in the IELTS exam. In short, getting the hang of “who” and “whom” adds a touch of sophistication to your language skills. It’s a small but important step toward doing well in your IELTS journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Q. What is the difference between “who” and “whom”?
A. “Who” is used when you’re talking about the person doing something, like “Who ate the cookies?” On the other hand, “whom” is used when you’re talking about the person who is receiving the action, like “To whom did you give the gift?” So, if you can replace the word with “he” or “she,” use “who”; if you can replace it with “him” or “her,” use “whom.”
-
Q. When do I use “who”?
A. Use “who” when you are asking about the person doing an action. For example, “Who is coming to the party?” Here, you are asking about the person (or people) who will attend the party. You can substitute “who” with “he” or “she” to check if it fits in the sentence.
-
Q. When should I use “whom”?
A. Use “whom” when you are asking about the person receiving an action. For instance, “To whom did you lend your book?” In this case, you are interested in the person who received the book. You can check if “whom” fits by replacing it with “him” or “her.”
-
Q. Can I always replace “who” with “he” and “whom” with “him”?
A. Yes! If you can substitute “who” with “he” or “she” and “whom” with “him” or “her” in your sentence, you’ll know which one to use. For example, “Who is at the door?” can be changed to “He is at the door,” and “To whom did you speak?” can be changed to “I spoke to him.”
-
Q. Why do people find “whom” confusing?
A. “Whom” can be confusing because it’s not used as commonly as “who.” Many people prefer to use “who” in casual conversation, and in many situations, it’s perfectly acceptable. However, in formal writing or when you want to be more precise, using “whom” correctly can enhance your language skills.
-
Q. Can “whom” come at the beginning of a sentence?
A. While it’s less common, “whom” can indeed begin a sentence, especially in formal writing. For example, “Whom did you invite to the event?” is the correct statement. The key is to ensure that “whom” is used correctly according to its role in the sentence.
-
Q. Is it okay to always use “who” instead of “whom”?
A. In everyday conversation, using “who” instead of “whom” is generally acceptable. However, in formal writing or when precision is crucial, understanding the difference and using “whom” correctly can make your language more accurate and sophisticated.
-
Q. Can “who” be used in a sentence with a preposition?
A. Yes, “who” can be used in a sentence with a preposition. For instance, “To whom it may concern” can be rewritten as “Who it may concern.” However, using “whom” in such cases is considered more formal and grammatically precise.
-
Q. Are there any shortcuts to remember when to use “who” or “whom”?
A. One simple trick is to focus on the action: use “who” when asking about the doer of the action and “whom” when asking about the receiver. If you can substitute with “he” or “she,” go for “who”; if “him” or “her” fits, use “whom.” Practising with this guideline will help you become more confident in choosing the right one.
-
Q. Can I just always use “who” to keep it simple?
A. While “who” is more commonly used, it’s good to use “whom” when you’re referring to the person being acted upon. It might sound a bit formal, but it helps us be more specific. So, you can often use “who,” but knowing when to use “whom” can make your sentences clearer when talking about the receiver of an action.
-
Q. How do I decide between “who” and “whom” in a question?
A. Great question! If you’re asking about the subject of a sentence, use “who.” If it’s about the object, go with “whom.” A trick is to look for the verb and see if “he/she” or “him/her” makes more sense. For instance, “Who ate the last cookie?” because “He ate it.” Keep it simple!
-
Q: Can “whom” be used when it seems like the subject of the sentence?
A: Surprisingly, yes! In formal English, especially in written or literary contexts, “whom” can sometimes be used as the subject. For instance, “Whom do you think will win?” This may sound peculiar, but it adheres to a stricter grammatical structure.
Have Questions? Get Guidance to reach your Dream University
Connect with India's finest counsellors and biggest study abroad community.
Get Guidance