What is the Difference Between Who and Whom?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The difference between "who" and "whom" lies in their grammatical functions. "Who" is a subject pronoun, while "whom" is an object pronoun. Here are some guidelines on when to use each:
- Who: Use "who" when the pronoun is performing the action in the sentence. For example, "Who scored the goal?".
- Whom: Use "whom" when the pronoun is receiving the action in the sentence. For example, "Whom did you invite to the party?".
A simple trick to determine whether to use "who" or "whom" is to replace the pronoun with "he" or "she". If the sentence sounds correct with "he" or "she," use "who." If it sounds correct with "him" or "her," use "whom." For example:
- Who/Whom did you invite to the party?
- Correct with "he" or "she": Who did you invite to the party?
- Incorrect with "him" or "her": Him did you invite to the party?
Keep in mind that the choice between "who" and "whom" can sometimes be confusing, and it's acceptable to trust your instincts in many cases. However, it's essential to use "who" and "whom" correctly in formal writing, as using them incorrectly can make your writing sound less polished.
Comparative Table: Who vs Whom
The difference between "who" and "whom" lies in their grammatical functions in a sentence. Here's a summary of their usage:
| Who | Whom |
|---|---|
| Use "who" when it is the subject of a verb, like "he" or "she". | Use "whom" when it is the object of a verb or preposition. |
| For example: "Who likes milk in tea?". | For example: "You sat by whom all night?". |
A simple rule to remember the difference between "who" and "whom" is the he/him or she/her rule: if you can replace who or whom with he/she, use "who." If you can replace it with him/her, use "whom".