2006-12-15 11:00:16 · 6 answers · asked by Marie R 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Who is a subject pronoun . and
Whom is an object pronoun.
Who gave me a "thumbs down" rating? He gave you one.
He gave WHOM a thumbs down rating? He gave ME one.
The verb can only be "done" by the SUBJECT. WHO gave me?... HE gave me... a thumbs down rating.
But the object receives the action of the verb:
He gave WHOM a ... ? He gave ME a .......!
But in modern English, I'm afraid that "whom" is leaving the language. In 20 years, people will not use it anymore. Now it is common to say... "Who did you send the letter to?" But the best English is, "Whom did YOU SEND the letter to?" or
"To whom did YOU SEND the letter?"
I hope this helps.
2006-12-15 11:04:34 · answer #1 · answered by GOMEZ LOPEZ 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hello,
There is a simple trick to know the difference between who and whom. Try putting the word inside the sentence , if it makes sense in the sentence use it. Also who can be used as plural or singular. Whom can also be used as plural or singular. You use whom when you are referring to some indirectly, and you use who when you are referring to someone directly. Who can be used in a declarative and interrogative sentence. Example: Who lent Mimi the pencil? and whom can be used like this in a sentence: Whom did she lend the pencil to?
2006-12-15 19:20:48 · answer #2 · answered by Kangaroo Xo K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WHO is used as the “subject” of a clause or sentence
or the initiator of the action.
WHOM is used as the “object” of a clause or sentence
as the receiver of the action.
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How to tell when to use "WHO" or "WHOM"
Use a substitution test:
For "Who" substitute "He" or "They"
(these are clearly used for the "subject" of the sentence or the clause, the person "initiating" the action of the verb)
For "Whom" substitute "him" or "them"
(these are clearly the "object" of the clause, commonly used with prepositions or "receiving" the action of the verb)
If you substitute using he/they or him/them,
does the sentence sound right?
If not try the other case.
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2006-12-15 21:07:19 · answer #3 · answered by emilynghiem 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A good way to test it is to put he or him in the sentence. If he works, use who; if him works, use whom.
2006-12-15 19:05:48 · answer #4 · answered by Jennifer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Search for this question. It has already been answered several times on Yahoo answers. Next time you want to ask a question search for it or similar ones because you just use up 5 points needlessly.
2006-12-15 19:11:01 · answer #5 · answered by Double O 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
who used when no sentance & whom when a sentance is used
2006-12-15 19:13:12 · answer #6 · answered by Tony E 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋