Who vs Whom: What’s the Big Deal?

Published: Mar. 23, 2020, Updated: Aug. 29, 2025

Using who and whom correctly is the sign of an excellent writer. For one, the two are not interchangeable simply because they belong in different cases, and while whom may sound like a stuffy word, it actually has its proper place in good present-day grammar.

TL;DR: The Quick Answer

  • Who refers to the subject of a clause or sentence.
  • Whom refers to the object of a clause or sentence.

Using Who

Who is a pronoun that refers to the subject or the person performing the action of a sentence? Technically, it’s used for people rather than animals, though informal writing often bends this rule. You’ll see who appears in both essential and nonessential clauses, and it should always be used to describe the subject.

EXAMPLES:

  • Who are you?
  • Mary, who loves opera, came to the party with John. 
  • Does anyone know who is in charge?

Using Whom

Whom is the objective form of who. Unlike who, whom should never be the subject of a sentence. Instead, it functions as the direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition. Always use whom after prepositions for correct grammar.

EXAMPLES:

  • To whom did you give the letter?
  • For whom does the bell toll?
  • Whom should you believe?

Why the Confusion?

Using ‘who’ versus ‘whom’ can trip up even experienced writers. Both often appear at the start of a sentence, which can make it hard to determine their correct function.

Additionally, whom sounds more formal, even archaic, in modern writing. Many writers default to who because it feels friendlier and less rigid. Knowing when to use each ensures your writing remains both professional and approachable.

A Simple Tip to Get It Right

To use who and whom correctly, we need to go back to the reference for each one. 

A quick trick is to substitute pronouns to test your sentence:

  • Use he/she in place of who (subject).
  • Use him/her in place of whom (object).

Example 1:
Sentence: “Who drove the car?”
Test: “He drove the car” ✔ vs. “Him drove the car” ✖ → Who is correct.

Example 2:
Sentence: “Whom are you speaking to?”
Test: “You are speaking to he” ✖ vs. “You are speaking to him” ✔ → Whom is correct.

This substitution test is a reliable, easy way to ensure your pronouns are correct every time.

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