Who vs. Whom?

Question

Alright, I'm sorry all of my English teachers have failed me, but i've never really been clear on correct time to use "whom" instead of "who"

Answer 1

It's actually pretty straightforward. If the sentence involves giving something to someone or taking something from someone, or something is happening to someone, you use whom.

It is always

to whom, from whom, about whom, for whom, etc.

If the person is doing something or going somewhere, you use who.

It is always

who gave, who ran, who did, who went, etc.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

In a sentence "who" refers to the subject, while "whom" refers to the object.

First example: "Sheila took your book." Sheila is the subject of the sentence. Therefore, when making a question of this sentence, you ask "WHO took my book?" WHO=Sheila=subject.

Second example: "I went to the mall with Mark" Mark is the object of the sentence. Therefore, when making a question of the sentence, you ask "You went to the mall with whom?" or "With whom did you go to the mall?"
WHOM=Mark=object

I hope this makes sense.

Answer 3

The above answers are quite correct, but such who/whom rules always confused me. Think subject and verb. If the clause has a subject/verb, use whom; otherwise, use who.

To who/whom it may concern (subject = it, verb = may, so whom)

I'm hitting my brother, who/whom is a dope (subject = none there, verb = is, so who)

Who/whom do you think you are? (subject = you, verb = think, so whom)

Answer 4

Here's the easy solution:
If the question can be answered by the word "He" it is Who.
(for instance: Who shot the bear He shot the bear")
If the question should be answered with "him" it is Whom
(for instance: Give it to whom? Give it to him")

That will help you to get started.

Answer 5

eeeerrrragh I hate the English language !
Who is it ?
To whom am I speaking.?
For whom the bell tolls.

Answer 6

the only time I have used "whom" is when writing a letter... for example... to whom it may concern...I suppose you use it when stating a question such as... to whom do I give these?? but that seems kinda snobby to me...

Answer 7

it is somewhat a question of ritual vs informality. yet commonly you will possibly use WHO once you're touching on the subject of a clause, and WHOM once you're touching on the article of a clause.

Answer 8

My mom told me an easy way to remember it. In a place where you would use "him" or "her" you use "whom", and where you would use "he" or "she" you use "who". You can remember that because him, her, and whom all end in consonants, and he, she, and who all end in vowels. I know there's a more sophisticated way to explain this, but I don't remember what it is.

Answer 9

"Whom" is used in place of "him" or "her"
"Who" is used in place of "he" or "she"

as in:
"Who is going to the store?"
HE is going to the store.

"Whom is he going to the store with?"
He is going to the store with HER.


"Who is using the computer?"
HE is using the computer.

"Whom are you talking to?"
I am talking to HER.

Answer 10

Yeah. I've never used the word whom before either. I guess you never acually HAVE to use whom.