Using ‘Whom’ in English: Examples, Rules, and Practice
Introduction
Mastering the correct use of ‘whom’ is essential for achieving grammatical accuracy and clarity in English communication. Although often considered formal or somewhat old-fashioned, understanding when and how to use ‘whom’ correctly can significantly enhance your writing and speaking skills, especially in formal contexts such as essays, business correspondence, or academic writing. This article provides a comprehensive exploration of ‘whom’, including its definition, grammatical role, usage rules, common mistakes, and numerous examples. Whether you are a student, language learner, or professional, gaining a deep understanding of ‘whom’ will improve your command of English and help you communicate more precisely and confidently.
Table of Contents
- Definition and Explanation of ‘Whom’
- Structural Breakdown of ‘Whom’
- Types and Categories of ‘Whom’
- Extensive Example Sentences with ‘Whom’
- Usage Rules for ‘Whom’
- Common Mistakes with ‘Whom’ and How to Avoid Them
- Practice Exercises with ‘Whom’
- Advanced Topics and Nuances
- Frequently Asked Questions about ‘Whom’
- Conclusion and Final Tips
1. Definition and Explanation of ‘Whom’
In English grammar, ‘whom’ is a pronoun used primarily as the object of a verb or preposition. It is the objective case of the pronoun that corresponds to the subject pronoun ‘who’. The key distinction between ‘who’ and ‘whom’ lies in their grammatical role: ‘who’ is used for the subject of a sentence or clause, while ‘whom’ functions as the object.
For example, in the question ‘Who is calling?’, ‘who’ is the subject of the verb ‘is calling’. In contrast, in the question ‘Whom did you see?’, ‘whom’ is the object of the verb ‘see’.
Historically, ‘whom’ is considered more formal and is often replaced by ‘who’ in casual speech. However, understanding its correct use is vital for precise, formal, and written English.
In terms of classification, ‘whom’ is a relative pronoun and an interrogative pronoun depending on its function in a sentence. It also often appears after prepositions, making it an object of a preposition.
Contexts where ‘whom’ is used include:
- Questions: Whom are you inviting?
- Relative clauses: The person whom I met yesterday is a lawyer.
- Prepositional phrases: To whom should I address the letter?
Now that we understand what ‘whom’ is and its primary functions, let’s explore its structural elements and grammatical patterns in detail.
2. Structural Breakdown of ‘Whom’
2.1. Basic Sentence Structure with ‘Whom’
The pronoun ‘whom’ typically appears as the object in a sentence or clause. Its position depends on whether it’s part of a question, relative clause, or prepositional phrase.
In interrogative sentences, ‘whom’ appears as the object of the verb or preposition:
Whom did you meet?
To whom are you talking?In relative clauses, ‘whom’ introduces a subordinate clause providing additional information about a noun:
The man whom I saw yesterday is a doctor.
The book to whom I referred is missing.In prepositional phrases, ‘whom’ functions as the object of the preposition:
With whom did you go to the party?
For whom is this gift?2.2. Position of ‘Whom’ in Sentences
‘Whom’ generally appears:
- At the beginning of a question, after a question word:
- After a preposition in questions and relative clauses:
- In the middle of a sentence, as the object of a verb or preposition.
Note: In informal speech, ‘whom’ is often replaced with ‘who’, especially at the beginning of questions.
2.3. Structural Patterns
| Pattern | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Question with ‘whom’ | Whom did you call? | Interrogative sentence asking about the object of the verb |
| Prepositional phrase | To whom should I send this? | ‘Whom’ as the object of a preposition |
| Relative clause | The woman whom I met is a teacher. | ‘Whom’ introducing a relative clause as the object |
| Embedded question | I don’t know whom he invited. | Object of the verb ‘know’ in an embedded clause |
| Indirect question | Can you tell me whom to contact? | ‘Whom’ as the object of the infinitive ‘to contact’ |
3. Types and Categories of ‘Whom’
3.1. Interrogative ‘Whom’
This form is used to ask questions about the object of a verb or preposition. Examples include:
- Whom did you see?
- Whom are you talking to?
- To whom does this belong?
3.2. Relative ‘Whom’
This type introduces relative clauses that provide additional information about a noun. Examples:
- The man whom I met yesterday is a lawyer.
- The book to whom I referred is missing.
- The woman whom I saw at the store is my neighbor.
3.3. Prepositional ‘Whom’
Uses when the pronoun is the object of a preposition. Examples:
- With whom are you going?
- For whom is this gift?
- To whom should I address the letter?
3.4. Formal vs. Informal Usage
While ‘whom’ remains standard in formal writing and speech, in informal contexts, many native speakers use ‘who’ regardless of grammatical correctness. For example:
- Formal: To whom should I address this?
- Informal: Who should I address this to?
Understanding these distinctions is important for clarity and appropriateness in different contexts.
4. Extensive Examples of Sentences with ‘Whom’
4.1. Questions Using ‘Whom’
Below are 20+ examples of questions where ‘whom’ functions as the direct object or object of a preposition.
| Example Number | Sentence | Function/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whom did you call last night? | Object of ‘call’ |
| 2 | Whom are you waiting for? | Object of preposition ‘for’ |
| 3 | To whom did you send the email? | Object of preposition ‘to’ |
| 4 | Whom did she invite to the party? | Object of ‘invite’ |
| 5 | Whom will you choose for the team? | Object of ‘choose’ |
| 6 | Whom do you think is responsible? | Object of ‘think’ |
| 7 | Whom are they accusing of theft? | Object of ‘accusing’ |
| 8 | Whom should I consult regarding this matter? | Object of ‘consult’ |
| 9 | Whom do you admire most? | Object of ‘admire’ |
| 10 | Whom might I meet at the conference? | Object of ‘meet’ |
| 11 | Whom did you see at the park? | Object of ‘see’ |
| 12 | Whom are you going to interview? | Object of ‘interview’ |
| 13 | Whom do you want to join the project? | Object of ‘join’ |
| 14 | Whom did the teacher praise? | Object of ‘praise’ |
| 15 | With whom did she travel? | Object of preposition ‘with’ |
| 16 | For whom is this gift? | Object of preposition ‘for’ |
| 17 | Whom should I ask for help? | Object of preposition ‘for’ |
| 18 | Whom did he mention during the meeting? | Object of ‘mention’ |
| 19 | Whom are we supposed to contact? | Object of ‘contact’ |
| 20 | Whom do you think will win? | Object of ‘think’ |
4.2. Relative Clauses with ‘Whom’
These examples show ‘whom’ connecting clauses that add information about a noun:
| Example Number | Sentence | Function/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The artist whom I met at the gallery is famous. | Provides info about ‘the artist’ |
| 2 | The student whom the teacher praised received an award. | Object of the relative clause |
| 3 | The house to whom the owner refers is being renovated. | Prepositional relative clause |
| 4 | The author whom I interviewed yesterday published a new book. | Object of ‘interviewed’ |
| 5 | The woman whom I saw at the cafe is my cousin. | Object of verb ‘saw’ |
| 6 | The man whom you mentioned is arriving soon. | Object of ‘mentioned’ |
| 7 | The guest to whom we offered our thanks left early. | Prepositional relative clause |
| 8 | The person whom she recommended is unavailable. | Object of ‘recommended’ |
| 9 | The student whom I helped with homework is very talented. | Object of ‘helped’ |
| 10 | The company whom we hired for the project is reputable. | Object of ‘hired’ |
4.3. Examples in Prepositional Phrases
These sentences illustrate ‘whom’ as the object of prepositions:
| Example Number | Sentence | Preposition & Function |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | She is the person with whom I discussed the issue. | Preposition: ‘with’, Object |
| 2 | This is the friend for whom I bought the gift. | Preposition: ‘for’, Object |
| 3 | The team to whom she reported was very efficient. | Preposition: ‘to’, Object |
| 4 | He is the colleague among whom I feel most comfortable. | Preposition: ‘among’, Object |
| 5 | The person by whom the message was sent is unknown. | Preposition: ‘by’, Object |
| 6 | They are the students from whom I received emails. | Preposition: ‘from’, Object |
| 7 | This is the company for which I work. | Preposition: ‘for’, Object |
| 8 | The artist to whom the award was given is renowned. | Preposition: ‘to’, Object |
| 9 | She was the person about whom I was talking. | Preposition: ‘about’, Object |
| 10 | The manager under whom I worked was very supportive. | Preposition: ‘under’, Object |
5. Usage Rules for ‘Whom’
5.1. When to Use ‘Whom’
- In formal questions: When asking about the object of a verb or preposition, especially in formal writing.
- In relative clauses: When the clause refers to the object of a verb or preposition.
- After prepositions: ‘Whom’ is correct as the object of prepositions like ‘to’, ‘for’, ‘with’, ‘by’, etc.
5.2. When to Use ‘Who’ Instead of ‘Whom’
- Subject position: When the pronoun functions as the subject of a clause.
- Informal speech: Many native speakers use ‘who’ even when ‘whom’ is grammatically correct, especially in conversation.
- Questions where the pronoun is the subject: e.g., ‘Who called you?’
5.3. Rules for Forming Questions with ‘Whom’
| Rule | Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Use ‘whom’ as the object of a verb or preposition in question format | Whom did you meet? | Question about the object of ‘meet’ |
| Place ‘whom’ after the preposition in prepositional questions | To whom should I address this? | Preposition + ‘whom’ |
| In embedded questions, ‘whom’ remains as the object | I wonder whom she invited. | Embedded clause with ‘whom’ |
5.4. Formality and Style Considerations
While ‘whom’ is preferred in formal writing, in casual speech, ‘who’ is often accepted, even when the grammatical rules suggest ‘whom’. For example:
Formal: To whom should I send the letter?
Informal: Who should I send the letter to?Understanding the context will help decide whether to use ‘whom’ or ‘who’.
6. Common Mistakes with ‘Whom’ and How to Avoid Them
6.1. Confusing ‘Who’ and ‘Whom’
Incorrect: Who did you see?
Correct: Whom did you see?
Explanation: Since the pronoun is the object of ‘see’, the correct form is ‘whom’.
6.2. Omitting ‘Whom’ in Formal Writing
Incorrect: I don’t know who to contact.
Correct: I don’t know whom to contact.
6.3. Misplacing ‘Whom’ in Questions
Incorrect: Who did you call?
Correct: Whom did you call?
6.4. Using ‘Who’ after Prepositions
Incorrect: With who are you going?
Correct: With whom are you going?
6.5. Using ‘Whom’ in the Subject Position
Incorrect: Whom is calling?
Correct: Who is calling?
7. Practice Exercises with ‘Whom’
7.1. Multiple Choice Questions
- Choose the correct form:
(a) Whom did you see? (b) Who did you see? - Complete the sentence:
I don’t know ____ to ask.
(a) who (b) whom - Identify the correct sentence:
(a) The person whom I called is not available.
(b) The person who I called is not available. - Fill in the blank:
To ____ should I send the letter?
(a) whom (b) who - Choose the correct question:
(a) Whom are you waiting for? (b) Who are you waiting for?
7.2. Sentence Correction
Correct the following sentences by replacing ‘who’ with ‘whom’ where necessary:
- Who did you meet yesterday?
- To who should I address this?
- The person whom I saw at the store was my neighbor.
- With who are you collaborating?
- They are the students whom I helped with homework.
7.3. Creative Writing Practice
Write five sentences using ‘whom’ as the object of a preposition, and five sentences with ‘whom’ in relative clauses. Focus on correct grammatical structure and variety.
8. Advanced Topics and Nuances
8.1. ‘Whom’ in Formal Legal and Academic Writing
In legal documents, academic papers, and official correspondence, ‘whom’ remains essential for clarity and professionalism. Its correct use demonstrates mastery of formal language.
8.2. ‘Whom’ in Complex Sentences and Embedded Clauses
In complex sentences, ‘whom’ can appear nested within multiple clauses, requiring careful analysis of its role. Example:
I believe the candidate whom the committee recommended will be appointed.8.3. ‘Whom’ in Literary and Poetic Contexts
Authors sometimes use ‘whom’ for stylistic reasons, to evoke a formal or classical tone, or to adhere to poetic meter.
8.4. The Decline of ‘Whom’ in Modern Usage
Despite its formal importance, many native speakers avoid ‘whom’ in everyday speech, leading to debates about language evolution. However, knowledge of its correct use remains valuable for formal contexts.
9. Frequently Asked Questions about ‘Whom’
- Q1: Is ‘whom’ still used in modern English?
- A1: Yes, especially in formal writing and speech. However, in casual contexts, many native speakers prefer ‘who’.
- Q2: Can ‘whom’ be used as the subject of a sentence?
- A2: No. ‘Whom’ is used as the object; ‘who’ is used as the subject.
- Q3: Are there situations where ‘whom’ is always incorrect?
- A3: Yes. In informal speech, using ‘whom’ as the subject or after a subject position is generally considered incorrect.
- Q4: How can I decide whether to use ‘who’ or ‘whom’?
- A4: Replace ‘who’ or ‘whom’ with ‘he’ or ‘him’. If ‘he’ fits, use ‘who’; if ‘him’ fits, use ‘whom’.
- Q5: Is ‘whom’ ever used in questions starting with ‘who’?
- A5: Yes, in formal questions asking about the object of a verb or preposition. Example: ‘Whom did you meet?’
- Q6: Can ‘whom’ be used in relative clauses without prepositions?
- A6: Yes. For example: ‘The person whom I saw is my neighbor.’
- Q7: What is the difference between ‘whom’ and ‘whose’?
- A7: ‘Whose’ indicates possession, while ‘whom’ functions as the object of a verb or preposition.
- Q8: Are there dialects or regions where ‘whom’ is more common?
- A8: ‘Whom’ tends to be more prevalent in British English and formal American English, while some dialects favor ‘who’.
- Q9: How do I teach ‘whom’ to ESL students?
- A9: Emphasize its role as the object and provide lots of examples, especially questions and relative clauses. Use the ‘he/him’ test to clarify.
- Q10: Can I omit ‘whom’ in questions?
- A10: Yes, in informal contexts, but for formal correctness, include ‘whom’ where appropriate.
10. Conclusion and Final Tips
Understanding and correctly using ‘whom’ is a vital aspect of mastering formal and precise English. While it may seem challenging at first, practice with real examples, recognition of its grammatical role, and familiarity with the rules will help you become confident in its use. Remember to consider the context—formal writing demands correct ‘whom’, whereas casual speech often replaces it with ‘who’. Incorporate these insights into your speaking and writing, and you’ll elevate your command of English to a higher level. Keep practicing with exercises, reading quality texts, and paying attention to how native speakers and writers use ‘whom’ in different situations. With time, it will become a natural part of your language skills.