If you’ve ever wondered whether you should use “who” or “whom” in a sentence, you’re not alone. Even native English speakers often hesitate when choosing between these two words. The good news? The difference is simple once you know the rule.
In this post, we’ll break down the difference between who and whom, give you clear examples, and share easy tips so you’ll never be confused again.
What’s the Difference Between “Who” and “Whom”?
- Who = the subject of the sentence (the one doing the action).
- Whom = the object of the sentence (the one receiving the action).
Think of it like this:
👉 Use who when you could replace it with he/she/they.
👉 Use whom when you could replace it with him/her/them.
Examples of “Who”
- Who is calling me? (He is calling me.)
- Who made this cake? (She made this cake.)
- Who wants to join the club? (They want to join the club.)
In each case, who is the subject of the sentence.
Examples of “Whom”
- To whom should I address this letter? (I should address it to him.)
- Whom did you meet yesterday? (You met her yesterday.)
- With whom are you traveling? (I am traveling with them.)
Here, whom is the object—it receives the action.
Quick Trick to Remember
If you’re not sure which one to use, try answering the question with he/she/they or him/her/them:
- “___ should I invite?”
“Invite him.” → Use whom. - “___ is at the door?”
“She is at the door.” → Use who.
Do People Still Use “Whom”?
Yes, but less often in casual English. In everyday conversation, many people use who even when whom is technically correct. For example:
- “Whom did you see?” (formal/grammar-perfect)
- “Who did you see?” (common and natural in spoken English)
In formal writing, though—like business emails, academic papers, or exams—it’s better to use whom correctly.
Practice Sentences
Try filling in the blanks with who or whom:
- ___ is responsible for this mistake?
- To ___ should I send this report?
- ___ is your best friend?
- With ___ are you going to the party?
(Answers: 1. Who, 2. Whom, 3. Who, 4. Whom)
Final Thoughts
The key difference is simple:
- Who = subject (he/she/they).
- Whom = object (him/her/them).
The more you practice, the more natural it will feel.
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