Definition of “Whom”
“Whom” is a relative pronoun and interrogative pronoun in the English language. It is used to refer to the object of a verb or preposition, specifically when talking about people. While “who” is used as the subject of a sentence or clause, “whom” is used as the object. In formal writing, the distinction between “who” and “whom” is important, though in casual conversation, “whom” is often replaced by “who.”
Uses of “Whom”
1. Asking Questions About the Object of a Verb
“Whom” is used in questions to refer to the object of a verb or preposition. It helps inquire about the person receiving an action.
- Examples:
- “Whom did you invite to the party?” (The object of the verb “invite”)
- “Whom should I contact for more information?” (The object of the verb “contact”)
- “Whom are you talking to?” (The object of the preposition “to”)
2. Introducing Relative Clauses
“Whom” can be used as a relative pronoun to introduce a relative clause that provides more information about a person who is the object of the action in the sentence.
- Examples:
- “The person whom I called was very helpful.”
- “She’s the colleague whom we were discussing yesterday.”
- “The teacher, whom the students admired, was retiring.”
3. Following Prepositions
“Whom” is often used after prepositions, such as to, for, with, and about, in formal writing or speech.
- Examples:
- “To whom should I address the letter?”
- “With whom did you go to the concert?”
- “For whom is this gift?”
Differences Between “Who” and “Whom”
1. Who as the Subject
“Who” is used when referring to the subject of a verb, meaning the person performing the action. It answers the question “Who is doing this?”
- Examples:
- “Who is coming to dinner?” (The person doing the action of coming)
- “Who won the game?” (The person who performed the action of winning)
2. Whom as the Object
“Whom” is used when referring to the object of a verb or preposition, meaning the person receiving the action. It answers the question “To whom is this being done?”
- Examples:
- “Whom did you see at the party?” (The person who was seen)
- “To whom did you give the book?” (The person who received the book)
Grammatical Role of “Whom”
1. Object of a Verb
“Whom” functions as the object of a verb, referring to the person who is affected by or receives the action in the sentence.
- Examples:
- “Whom did the teacher praise?” (The teacher praised the person who is the object)
- “The friend whom I helped was very grateful.” (The friend is the object of the action “helped”)
2. Object of a Preposition
“Whom” is also used as the object of a preposition, often in formal writing. In such cases, “whom” is placed directly after the preposition.
- Examples:
- “The person to whom I sent the letter is my cousin.”
- “For whom are you buying this gift?”
3. Formal Usage
While “whom” is grammatically correct and preferred in formal contexts, it is often replaced by “who” in informal conversation. However, using “whom” correctly demonstrates a higher level of grammatical precision, especially in formal writing or academic contexts.
Common Phrases with “Whom”
1. “To whom it may concern”
This phrase is commonly used in formal letters or emails when the specific recipient is unknown. It addresses the letter or document to an appropriate but unidentified person.
- Examples:
- “To whom it may concern, I am writing to express my interest in the job opening.”
2. “Whom do you serve?”
This phrase is often used in rhetorical or formal contexts, asking about the person or entity someone is dedicated to or works for.
- Examples:
- “Whom do you serve in this organization?”
Common Mistakes with “Whom”
1. Using “Who” Instead of “Whom” in Formal Writing
In casual speech, people often replace “whom” with “who,” even when “whom” would be the grammatically correct choice. In formal writing, it’s important to maintain the distinction between the two.
- Incorrect: “Who did you send the letter to?” (informal, but accepted in casual conversation)
- Correct: “Whom did you send the letter to?” (formal, grammatically correct)
2. Misplacing “Whom” in a Sentence
In formal usage, “whom” must be placed correctly, especially after prepositions or at the start of a relative clause.
- Incorrect: “The person whom I gave the book is coming.”
- Correct: “The person to whom I gave the book is coming.”
How to Determine When to Use “Whom”
To determine whether to use “who” or “whom”, try rephrasing the sentence with he/she (subject) or him/her (object).
- If you would use he/she, then who is correct.
- If you would use him/her, then whom is correct.
Example:
- “Whom did you call?”
- Rephrased: “You called him.” (Object – use “whom”)
- “Who is calling?”
- Rephrased: “He is calling.” (Subject – use “who”)
Importance of “Whom” in Communication
Using “whom” correctly demonstrates a solid understanding of English grammar, particularly in formal writing or professional contexts. While the use of “whom” has become less common in informal conversation, its correct usage in letters, academic papers, and legal documents shows attention to detail and grammatical precision.
Conclusion
“Whom” is an important relative and interrogative pronoun that refers to the object of a verb or preposition, particularly when talking about people. Although it is often replaced by “who” in casual conversation, “whom” is essential for maintaining formal grammatical correctness in writing and speech. Understanding when to use “whom” instead of “who” enhances clarity, precision, and professionalism in communication.