Difference between revisions of "Who - whom"
From Hull AWE
PeterWilson (Talk | contribs) |
|||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
Both '''who''' and '''who<big>m</big>''' are forms of the [[relative pronoun]] 'who'. | Both '''who''' and '''who<big>m</big>''' are forms of the [[relative pronoun]] 'who'. | ||
| − | *'''who''' is the form appropriate for the [[Subject] of a clause (the [[subjective]] form). | + | *'''who''' is the form appropriate for the [[Subject]] of a clause (the [[subjective]] form). |
| − | *'''whom''' is the form appropriate for the [[Object] of a clause, and the [[Prepositional Complement|Complement]] of a [[preposition]] (the [[objective]] form). | + | *'''whom''' is the form appropriate for the [[Object]] of a clause, and the [[Prepositional Complement|Complement]] of a [[preposition]] (the [[objective]] form). |
Note that the [[objective]] form, '''who<big>m</big>''', is like the objective form of the [[3rd person]] [[singular]] pronoun 'he': '''hi<big>m</big>'''. If you are confused about when to use '''whom''', try substituting 'he' or 'him'. If 'him' sounds more natural, use '''whom'''. If 'he' sounds more natural, use '''who'''. | Note that the [[objective]] form, '''who<big>m</big>''', is like the objective form of the [[3rd person]] [[singular]] pronoun 'he': '''hi<big>m</big>'''. If you are confused about when to use '''whom''', try substituting 'he' or 'him'. If 'him' sounds more natural, use '''whom'''. If 'he' sounds more natural, use '''who'''. | ||
| − | + | ||
| + | [[category:usage]][[category:academic English]][[category:pronouns]][[category:pronoun attributes]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:15, 20 April 2007
There is much confusion among some new writers about when to use who and when to use whom. This confusion is made worse by the fact that whom is becoming obsolete in normal spoken English, at least in the UK. In formal writing, especially in academic English, its use is still current, and often expected.
Both who and whom are forms of the relative pronoun 'who'.
- who is the form appropriate for the Subject of a clause (the subjective form).
- whom is the form appropriate for the Object of a clause, and the Complement of a preposition (the objective form).
Note that the objective form, whom, is like the objective form of the 3rd person singular pronoun 'he': him. If you are confused about when to use whom, try substituting 'he' or 'him'. If 'him' sounds more natural, use whom. If 'he' sounds more natural, use who.
