What Does Who Mean?
Who is a pronoun used as the subject of a verb. It performs the action. If you can replace it with "he" or "she," use who.
Who functions as a subject pronoun.
What Does Whom Mean?
Whom is a pronoun used as the object of a verb or preposition. It receives the action. If you can replace it with "him" or "her," use whom.
Whom functions as a object pronoun.
Who vs Whom: Key Differences
| Who | Whom |
|---|---|
| Subject of the verb (does the action) | Object of the verb or preposition (receives the action) |
| Replace with 'he/she' to test | Replace with 'him/her' to test |
| "Who called?" (He called.) | "Whom did you call?" (I called him.) |
Examples of Who in a Sentence
- Who is calling, please?
- She is the person who manages the team.
- Who wants to go first?
- The student who won the award was thrilled.
Examples of Whom in a Sentence
- Whom did you invite to the party?
- The candidate whom they selected starts Monday.
- To whom should I address this letter?
- She is someone whom I admire greatly.
How to Remember the Difference
The "him/whom" test: if you can answer the question with "him" (or "her"), use whom (both end in "m"). If you answer with "he" (or "she"), use who.
Common Mistakes
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Whom is responsible for this project? | Who is responsible for this project? | The pronoun is the subject (he is responsible), so use 'who.' |
| Who did you send the email to? | Whom did you send the email to? | The pronoun is the object (you sent it to him), so use 'whom.' |
| The manager whom approved the request is on vacation. | The manager who approved the request is on vacation. | The pronoun is the subject of 'approved,' so use 'who.' |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'whom' dying out?
In casual speech and informal writing, 'who' is increasingly used in place of 'whom.' However, 'whom' remains standard in formal writing and after prepositions ('to whom,' 'for whom').
Is 'To who it may concern' acceptable?
No. 'To whom it may concern' is the correct form because the pronoun is the object of the preposition 'to.' This is a formal phrase where 'whom' is expected.
What about 'whoever' vs 'whomever'?
The same rule applies. 'Whoever' is a subject (whoever calls first), and 'whomever' is an object (give it to whomever you like). Apply the he/him test to the clause.