Who vs. Whom
“Who” is used for subjects and is also common for objects in ordinary modern English; “whom” is the traditional object form and remains most common in formal writing, especially after a preposition.
Use “who” when the pronoun is the subject. “Whom” is the object form, especially in formal writing and after a preposition. In everyday English, “who” is very often used where formal grammar would permit “whom.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| Context | Use | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| pronoun is the subject of its clause | who | Use “who” as the subject form. |
| pronoun is the object in formal style | whom | Use “whom” as the formal object form. |
| ordinary conversation or informal prose | who often acceptable | Everyday English commonly uses “who” where formal grammar permits “whom.” |
Quick tests
Decision test
Would the corresponding personal pronoun be he/she/they rather than him/her/them?
If yes: Use “who.”
If no: Formal object position → “whom”; everyday English often uses “who.”
Caveat: After a fronted preposition, “whom” remains the formal choice; do not overcorrect subjects to “whom.”
Examples
Who called the office this morning?
The pronoun is the subject of “called.”
Whom did the committee invite?
“Whom” is the formal object of “invite.”
Who did you speak to?
Everyday English commonly uses “who” in an object position like this.
Usage notes
Further guidance
He Him Test
A useful diagnostic is to substitute he/him or she/her for the relevant clause. If “he” fits, who is likely right; if “him” fits, whom may be right in formal style. Test the pronoun inside its own clause, not against a word elsewhere in the sentence.
Modern Usage
Cambridge notes that “whom” is much more common in writing than in speech and is not used very often in ordinary conversation. Merriam-Webster likewise warns against hypercorrect “whom” where the pronoun is actually the subject of its clause.
Prepositions
“Whom” is especially stable immediately after a preposition in formal prose: “the person to whom I wrote.” More conversational English often moves the preposition to the end and uses “who”: “the person who I wrote to.”
Subject Vs Object
Use “who” for the person performing the action: “Who called?” Use “whom” as an object in formal style: “Whom did you call?” or, more formally, “To whom did you speak?”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Who, whom — Cambridge Grammar (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Who/whom roles and formality
- Hypercorrections: a “whom” too far (opens in a new tab)Merriam-Webster · Modern usage and hypercorrection note