How to Use Who and Whom correctly?
Using “who” and “whom” correctly involves understanding their roles as pronouns in a sentence, particularly as subjects or objects.
Who (Subject Pronoun):
- “Who” is used as the subject of a verb. The subject is the person or thing that performs the action expressed by the verb.
- Example: Who made the delicious cake?
- In this sentence, “who” is the subject of the verb “made,” indicating the person acting.
Whom (Object Pronoun):
- “Whom” is used as the object of a verb or a preposition. The object is the person or thing that receives the action of the verb or the object of the preposition.
- Example: Whom did she invite to the party?
- In this sentence, “whom” is the object of the verb “invite,” indicating the person receiving the action.
To determine whether to use “who” or “whom,” you can apply a substitution test:
- Substitute “he” or “she” for the pronoun. If it makes sense, use “who.”
- Substitute “him” or “her” for the pronoun. If it makes sense, use “whom.”
How to use Who and Whom correctly: Difference, Examples
If you’ve ever found yourself confused about when to use “who” and “whom,” then this article is for you. These two small words are quite confusing even among native English speakers. The challenge arises because both words sound identical and share the same base pronoun, “who.”
Let’s be clear about the difference between Who and Whom.