Who vs Whom

Who Versus Whom

Do you get confused when deciding between who or whom? Does one sound right while the other sounds funny? You are not alone. When using proper grammar, it can be difficult to know when to use who or whom. Let's read on to find out a simple trick to know the difference.

• Who is always the subject. The subject of a sentence is the person, place, thing, or idea that is doing or being something; the subject performs the action
• Whom is always an object. The object of a sentence is the noun or pronoun that the subject does something to; the object is the receiver of the action

Let's Try It

(Who or Whom) threw the spider out of the house?

The subject of the sentence is the one performing the action of throwing the spider out of the house, so the answer is who. Who threw the spider out of the house?

Bob threw (who or whom) out of the house?

The subject of the sentence is Bob and he is throwing something out of the house. The object of this sentence is being thrown out of the house - it is receiving the action. So the answer is whom. Bob threw whom out of the house?

Now, that isn't so bad, is it? Well, I saved the best for last. Read on to find out a great trick to help make deciding between who versus whom even easier.

Trick

You can try out the simple substitution he/him test. Insert the word 'he' or 'him' into your sentence. Decide which one sounds appropriate. If 'he' sounds best, use 'who'. If 'him' sounds best, use 'whom'. Try it out!

(Who or whom) ate the last banana?

'He ate the last banana?' -Or- 'Him ate the last banana?' Which one sounds best? 'He ate the last banana' sounds best. The answer must be who! Who ate the last banana?

(Who or whom) did you invite to your birthday party?

'Did you invite he to your birthday party?' -Or- 'Did you invite him to your birthday party?' Which one sounds correct? Him sounds best! So the correct answer would be whom. Whom did you invite to your birthday party?

With (who or whom) are you going to the park?

'Are you going to the park with he?' -Or- 'Are you going to the park with him?' Which one is best? The use of him sounds most appropriate. 'With whom are you going to the park?' is correct.

More Examples

Here is what we have learned so far:

• Who is always the subject. When using the simple substitution, who = he.
• Whom is always an object. When using the simple substitution, whom = him. (Notice that whom and him both end with 'm.' Just another little trick to help you)

(Who or Whom) went to the store?

The subject went to the store. 'He' went to the store. So 'who' is the correct option. Who went to the store?

(Who or Whom) does Alex like best?

Don't be fooled just because 'Who' or 'Whom' is the first word in the sentence. This sentence is about Alex - Alex is the subject and is performing the action of 'liking.' So, we are looking for the object in this sentence, and we have learned that whom = object.

Reword the sentence: Alex likes (who or whom) best? 'Alex likes 'he' best?' -Or- 'Alex likes 'him' best?' 'Him' is the correct answer. So, 'Whom does Alex like best?' is correct.