Who or Whom

There is often confusion about when to use 'who' and 'whom'. If you are unsure which to use, use 'who'. Firstly, it is much more common than 'whom'. Secondly, the use of 'whom' is considered old fashioned in some circles. (Of course, Grammar Monster does not condone this practice, but if you don't have time to learn the difference, this advice will do for now.) Example: Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes? (This quote by is incorrect. It should start "Whom are you going to believe" "whom" sounds a bit contrived.)

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Whom Is Never the Subject of a Verb

'Whom' is never the subject of a verb. ('Who', on the other hand, is always the subject of a verb.) Examples: You sat by whom all night? (In this example, "whom" is not the subject of any verb. "You" is the subject of "to sit".) She is a wistful recluse whom lives near the river. ("Whom" cannot be the subject of the verb "to live". It should be "who".) Claire saw whom yesterday? (In this example, "whom" is not the subject of any verb. "Claire" is the subject of "to see".) Kelvin was with whom?

Whom after Prepositions

Always use 'whom' after prepositions. (Prepositions are words like to, with, by, on, in, near.) You have a child by whom? (by - preposition) With whom did you see Janice? (with - preposition) That is the lady to whom I made the promise. (to - preposition)

That is the lady whom I made the promise to. (This is similar to the example above. Ideally, you should not end a sentence in a preposition like 'to'), but sometimes it sounds better. The word 'to' still governs 'whom' even though it is at the end of the sentence.)
Select the correct one! 1.You are accusing me of telling who / whom? 2.This is the man without who / whom the project would have collapsed. 3.I could see three men, one of who / whom was carrying a bag. 4.Sarah knew two of those boys who / whom rowed across the Atlantic. 5.I do not know who / whom she means. 6.Right, who / whom knows what colour it should be? 7.Don't forget the lady who / whom sang last time. 8. It is the old hag who / whom owns the black cat. 9. You are comparing me to who / whom? 10.Can you tell me who / whom sat next to him during the meeting? 11.Okay, who / whom do you agree with? 12.You are accusing me of telling who / whom? 13.This is the man without who / whom the project would have collapsed. 14.I could see three men, one of who / whom was carrying a bag. 15.Sarah knew two of those boys who / whom rowed across the Atlantic. 16.I do not know who / whom she means.

Jawaban 1 You are accusing me of telling who ? 2 This is the man without who the project would have collapsed. 3 I could see three men, one of who was carrying a bag. 4 Sarah knew two of those boys whom rowed across the Atlantic. 5 I do not know who she means. 6 Right, whom knows what colour it should be? 7 Don't forget the lady whom sang last time. 8 It is the old hag whom owns the black cat. 9 You are comparing me to who ? 10 Can you tell me whom sat next to him during the meeting. 11. Okay, who do you agree with? 12. You are accusing me of telling who ? 13. This is the man without who the project would have collapsed. 14. I could see three men, one of who was carrying a bag. 15. Sarah knew two of those boys whom rowed across the Atlantic. 16. I do not know who she means.?