Last week, a student wrote an email and paused at one line.
Should it be “Who should I contact?” or “Whom should I contact?”
They searched whom or who because both looked correct.
The sentence felt right either way, but only one was grammatically accurate.
This confusion happens to almost everyone.
Even fluent English speakers hesitate when choosing between whom or who.
People search this keyword because grammar rules feel unclear or outdated.
They want a simple rule, real examples, and confidence in writing.
This article gives a clear answer, explains the difference, and shows real-life usage.
By the end, you will know exactly when to use whom or who — without guessing.
Quick Answer
Use who when the person is the subject of the sentence.
Use whom when the person is the object of a verb or preposition.
Examples:
- Who called you? → They called you.
- Whom did you call? → You called them.
Inclusive Grammar Test:
- If you can replace the word with they, use who.
- If you can replace it with them, use whom.
This avoids gendered language and keeps your writing inclusive and modern.
The Origin of Whom or Who
The words who and whom come from Old English.
Early English used different word forms for subjects and objects.
Historically:
- Who = subject form
- Whom = object form
Over time, English simplified, but whom remained in formal grammar.
This is why whom sounds formal today but is still correct.
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no spelling difference between British and American English for who and whom.
However, usage preference differs.
| Feature | British English | American English |
|---|---|---|
| Use of “whom” | More common in formal writing | Less common, often replaced by “who” |
| Spoken English | Rare | Very rare |
| Academic/legal writing | Still preferred | Still used |
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Your choice depends on audience and tone, not spelling.
- Casual writing → Who
- Professional writing → Whom when correct
- Academic or exam writing → Whom
- Blogs and social media → Who is usually acceptable
If you want clarity and accuracy, follow the subject-object rule.
Common Mistakes with Whom or Who
❌ To who should I send this email?
✔ To whom should I send this email?
❌ Who did you meet yesterday?
✔ Whom did you meet yesterday?
❌ Whom is calling you?
✔ Who is calling you?
❌ Who are you talking about?
✔ Whom are you talking about?
Whom or Who in Everyday Examples
Emails:
- Who is available for the meeting?
- Whom should I contact for support?
News:
- The reporter asked who was responsible.
- Officials refused to say whom they blamed.
Social Media:
- Who else agrees with this?
- Whom are you tagging here?
Formal Writing:
- The employee whom we hired has started work.
- The manager who approved the plan is absent.
Whom or Who – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search trends show who is far more common than whom worldwide.
Most searches for whom come from students, writers, and exam candidates.
High-usage contexts include:
- Grammar lessons
- Academic writing
- Legal documents
- Professional communication
This explains why people search whom or who for accuracy and clarity.
Comparison Table: Whom or Who
| Sentence Type | Correct Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Subject | Who | Who is calling? |
| Object | Whom | Whom did you call? |
| After preposition | Whom | To whom should I reply? |
| Relative clause (subject) | Who | The person who called |
| Relative clause (object) | Whom | The person whom I met |
Strong Grammar Coverage: Rules, Examples, Checker, Worksheet & Quiz
Whom or Who Grammar Rule (Detailed)
- If the person does the action → use who.
- If the person receives the action → use whom.
This rule applies to:
- Questions
- Statements
- Relative clauses
- Formal writing
Whom or Who Checker (Inclusive Method)
Use this two-step checker:
- Replace the word with they or them.
- Choose the form that fits naturally.
Example:
- “_____ did you invite?”
- You invited them → Whom did you invite?
This checker is inclusive and accurate.
Whom or Who Grammar Examples
- Who is coming today?
- Whom did they trust?
- Who wrote this article?
- Whom are you waiting for?
- Who won the prize?
- Whom did the teacher praise?
- Who will lead the team?
- Whom did they blame?
- Who is responsible?
- Whom did you see?
10 Sentence Examples of Whom
- Whom did you meet at the office?
- Whom are they waiting for?
- Whom should I contact for help?
- Whom did they trust the most?
- Whom are you talking about?
- Whom did the teacher praise?
- Whom will they choose as leader?
- Whom are we sending this email to?
- Whom did they blame for the mistake?
- Whom should we thank for this success?
Whom or Whome – Which One Is Correct?
✔ Correct: Whom
❌ Incorrect: Whome
The word whome does not exist in English.
Whom or Who Worksheet
Fill in the blanks:
- _____ is calling you right now?
- _____ did you invite to the meeting?
- _____ wrote this report?
- _____ are you waiting for?
- _____ will lead the project?
- _____ did they trust the most?
- _____ is responsible for the delay?
- _____ did you send the email to?
- _____ won the competition?
- _____ did the manager promote?
Answers:
- Who
- Whom
- Who
- Whom
- Who
- Whom
- Who
- Whom
- Who
- Whom
Whom or Who Quiz
Choose the correct option:
- _____ did they hire?
a) Who
b) Whom - _____ is responsible for this task?
a) Who
b) Whom - _____ are you emailing?
a) Who
b) Whom - _____ won the award?
a) Who
b) Whom - _____ did they blame for the mistake?
a) Who
b) Whom - _____ is coming to the party tonight?
a) Who
b) Whom - _____ did you trust with the files?
a) Who
b) Whom - _____ is leading the team?
a) Who
b) Whom - _____ did they talk to yesterday?
a) Who
b) Whom - _____ deserves the credit?
a) Who
b) Whom
Answers:
- Whom
- Who
- Whom
- Who
- Whom
- Who
- Whom
- Who
- Whom
- Who
FAQs About Whom or Who
1. Is “whom” still correct in modern English?
Yes. It is correct in formal writing and exams.
2. Can I always use “who” instead of “whom”?
In casual speech, yes. In formal writing, no.
3. What is the inclusive way to test who vs whom?
Use they/them instead of he/him or she/her.
4. Is “to who” ever correct?
No. It should be “to whom.”
5. Is “whom” used more in British English?
Yes, especially in formal contexts.
6. Does “whom” sound old-fashioned?
Yes in speech, but it remains grammatically correct.
7. Should students use “whom” in exams?
Yes. It shows grammatical accuracy.
Conclusion
Understanding whom or who helps you write clearly and professionally.
Modern speech often favors “who,” but formal writing still follows grammar rules.
Use who when the person is the subject.
Use whom when the person is the object.
The inclusive they/them test makes this choice easy and modern.
With practice, choosing between whom or who becomes natural and confident.
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