I’m fairly aware that who is used for subjects and that whom is used for objects. However, what about when the object is actually being modified by a clause? I have the sentence We can determine this by solving for the location of a consumer, ______ is indifferent to each of these stores. Would who … Read more
I have a quick question in this sentence would you use who or whom? I have expectations of whom you wed This is not in a story but this is purely for learning the rules of using whom. Answer Although ‘whom’ is falling from usage, ‘whom’ refers to the object, ‘who’ to the subject…. so … Read more
A friend needs help with his who and whom Right on the heels of my recent question regarding why ‘who’ and ‘whom’ present difficulties for so many native and non-native learners, comes another complex case of ‘who’ and ‘whom’. The language of a friend’s report is bureaucratically complicated and his Supervising Teacher, is very pedantic … Read more
I understand that when "those" is referred to as the subject of the verb we use "whom", and when "they" is the object we use "who". But consider the following sentence, This is being funded by future taxpayers, many of whom are yet to be born. Are ‘they’ the object of "are" (to be), in … Read more
When to use ‘who’ and when to use ‘whom’ seems to be one of the most common areas of confusion for English learners, and even possibly for native speakers. Personally, I don’t find it confusing at all and (although I am no grammarian, as reflected in my answer) I even tried to reply to one … Read more
After Justice Gorsuch was sworn in, he gave a speech that included this line: And to the American people, I am humbled by the trust placed in me today. I will never forget that to whom much is given, much will be expected. And I promise you that I will do all my powers permit … Read more
I am having trouble understanding this sentence: A family or household member means a person with whom the actor is cohabiting as a parent, or guardian. Is the actor the parent or guardian or is the actor the child? Answer The guilty party is ‘with whom,’ a standard shortcut that introduces confusion. Let’s remake the … Read more
John is the mentor of Anna. John introduces Anna as: “Anna, whom I’ve had the pleasure of being the mentor of“. Would the following be more correct? “Anna, of whom I’ve had the pleasure of being the mentor” Answer The second way is only “more correct” if you don’t like ending phrases like that with … Read more
I often hear people say something like For whose benefit is that? Should it not be For whomse benefit is that Who -> Whom Whose -> Whomse I know “whomse” is not a real word. My question is: why doesn’t it exist? Answer The easiest way to think about this is to compare to he … Read more
In the sentence below, which version is correct: John pretty much knows who’s slept with who within certain circles in Manhattan. John pretty much knows who’s slept with whom within certain circles in Manhattan. Option 2 seems grammatically correct to me, but it also sounds stilted and very formal. If I were writing a novel … Read more
