In the world of English grammar, Whom and Whose are two words that often confuse even the most seasoned learners. While they are both important, they serve different roles in a sentence. In this article, we will break down the use of whom and whose, offering simple definitions, helpful examples, and tips to help you master their usage.
By the end of this article, you will clearly understand when to use each of these pronouns and how to avoid common mistakes.
Who is who?
Before diving into whom and whose, it’s important to start with who, as it serves as the foundation for understanding both. Who is a subject pronoun, meaning it is used as the subject of a sentence, performing the action. Think of it as the “doer” in the sentence.
Example of Who:
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Who is coming to the party tonight?
(Here, who is asking about the person performing the action, which is coming.)
What is whom?
Whom is an object pronoun, and it functions differently from who. It is used when referring to the object of a verb or preposition. Essentially, the “receiver” of the action is not the one performing it.
When to Use Whom:
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Whom is typically used after verbs or prepositions when talking about someone who is the object of the action.
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You can often replace whom with him, her, or them in a sentence.
Example of Whom:
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To whom did you speak yesterday?
(In this case, whom is the object of the verb “speak.” It refers to the person receiving the action of being spoken to.)
How to Remember When to Use Whom
It’s easy to get confused between who and whom. A simple rule to remember is
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If the pronoun is performing the action (subject of the sentence), use who.
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If the pronoun is receiving the action (object of the sentence), use whom.
Examples:
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Who is calling?
(Here, who is performing the action of calling.) -
With whom did you go to the concert?
(Here, whom is receiving the action of going to the concert.)
What is whose?
Whose is a possessive pronoun, meaning it shows ownership or possession. It is used to indicate who something belongs to. Unlike who and whom, which focus on the subject or object, whose is about possession.
When to Use Whose:
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Whose is used to ask or describe ownership or belonging.
Example of Whose:
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Whose book is this?
(Here, whose is asking about the owner of the book.)
Possessive Use of Whose in Sentences:
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John, whose car was stolen, is very upset. (In this example, whose indicates that the car belongs to John.)
Differences Between Whom and Whose
Though whom and whose may seem similar, they serve different functions:
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Whom refers to the object of a verb or preposition, indicating the receiver of the action.
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Whose refers to possession, indicating ownership or belonging.
Common Mistakes with Whom and Whose
Even advanced writers make mistakes with whom and whose, especially since whom is often replaced with who in everyday speech. Let’s look at some of the most common errors:
1. Confusing Who and Whom in Questions
Who is commonly used in questions, but it’s important to use whom when the person is the object of the verb or preposition in a question.
Incorrect:
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Who are you speaking to?
Correct: -
Whom are you speaking to?
(Here, whom is the object of the preposition “to.”)
2. Using Who’s Instead of Whose
Who’s is a contraction of who is or who has, but it is often mistakenly used in place of whose.
Incorrect:
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Whose book is this?
Correct: -
Whose book is this?
(Here, we’re asking about the owner, not using a contraction.)
Using Whom and Whose in Complex Sentences
Understanding the difference between whom and whose becomes even more important when constructing complex sentences. Here are some examples:
Complex Sentence with Whom:
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The professor, whom we admire greatly, is retiring this year.
(In this case, whom is the object of “admire,” the verb in the main clause.)
Complex Sentence with Whose:
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The artist, whose paintings are displayed in the gallery, is very talented.
(Here, whose shows ownership of the paintings.)
Using Whom and Whose in Complex Sentences
In advanced English grammar, it’s essential to grasp how whom and whose function in more complex sentence structures. These two pronouns can sometimes be tricky, especially when they appear in larger clauses or after prepositions. Here, we’ll delve deeper into their proper use in complex sentences, helping you understand how to smoothly incorporate them into your writing.
When to Use Whom in Complex Sentences
In complex sentences, whom continues to function as an object pronoun. It is especially useful when referring to a person or group of people who are the object of a verb or preposition. Let’s break this down with some examples:
Example 1: Whom after a Preposition
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The teacher, to whom I was speaking, gave me valuable advice.
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Here, whom is the object of the preposition “to,” indicating the person to whom the action of speaking was directed.
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Example 2: Whom as the Object of a Verb
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I met a woman, whom I later discovered was an award-winning author.
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In this example, whom is the object of “discovered,” receiving the action of the verb.
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Example 3: Whom in Formal Writing
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The team members, most of whom are new to the project, will attend the meeting.
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The relative pronoun whom connects the clause “most of whom are new to the project” to the main clause. This is a common usage in formal writing.
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Why Use Whom in Complex Sentences?
You might wonder why whom is necessary in sentences like the ones above. While it is often replaced by who in casual speech, whom maintains clarity and formality, particularly in written English. In formal and academic contexts, adhering to the proper usage of whom helps to preserve precision and correctness in your sentence structure.
When to Use Whose in Complex Sentences
Now let’s turn to whose, the possessive form of who. Whose is used to indicate ownership, but it can appear in complex sentences as well. Just like whom, whose plays a critical role in linking ideas and providing clarity about ownership or association.
Example 1: Whose Indicating Ownership
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The author, whose book I am currently reading, will be speaking at the conference.
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Whose connects the author to the book, showing that the book belongs to the author.
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Example 2: Whose Referring to People or Things
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The student, whose project won the prize, was very proud.
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In this case, whose refers to possession or ownership of the project by the student.
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Example 3: Using Whose in Nonrestrictive Clauses
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The painting, whose colors were carefully chosen, is on display in the gallery.
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Whose is used here to provide additional information about the painting without altering the main sentence.
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Why Use Whose in Complex Sentences?
Using whose is essential for connecting ideas and indicating relationships between different elements in a sentence. It eliminates the need for redundant expressions, like “the person who owns the book” or “the man who has the car,” and instead allows for a concise, grammatically sound statement. Whose also adds depth to your writing by establishing ownership or association in a single word.
Advanced Tips for Using Whom and Whose
While whom and whose follow basic rules, there are advanced strategies that can help you improve your writing further. Consider these tips to refine your grammar:
1. Using Whom after Compound Prepositions
Compound prepositions like “in front of,” “next to,” and “in spite of” are often followed by whom when referring to a person. For example:
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The person in front of whom we stood was a famous musician.
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The professor to whom I addressed my question responded kindly.
These constructions are more formal and often appear in academic writing.
2. Avoiding Overuse of Whom
In everyday English, whom is used less frequently, as who often takes its place in informal speech. Overuse of whom in casual contexts can make sentences sound stilted or overly formal. For instance, instead of saying:
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To whom did you speak at the event?
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You might say:
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Who did you speak to at the event?
3. Using Whose in Questions
Whose is often used in questions to inquire about possession. This is a powerful way to connect ownership or belonging to the subject of your question:
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Whose keys are these?
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Whose idea was it to create this project?
This usage is not only common but also adds sophistication to your questioning style.
4. Balancing Formal and Informal Usage
While whom and whose are generally more formal than their counterparts (who and whose in questions), it’s important to strike a balance. In casual contexts, using who instead of whom will likely be acceptable. However, when you are writing professionally or academically, remember to use whom when it’s needed.
Common Mistakes with Whom and Whose
Even advanced English speakers sometimes struggle with whom and whose, as they are relatively less used in everyday speech compared to who. Despite this, mastering these pronouns is crucial for ensuring your writing remains precise and formal when needed. Let’s examine some of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:
1. Confusing Who and Whom in Questions
A typical mistake occurs when people use who in questions where whom should be used. This happens because who feels more natural in casual speech. However, in formal grammar, whom should be used as the object of a verb or preposition.
Incorrect:
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Who should I speak to about the issue?
Correct:
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Whom should I speak to about the issue?
(In this sentence, whom is the object of the preposition “to.”)
While this rule is essential in formal contexts, many native speakers and even writers often use who in informal settings, and it’s typically accepted in such cases.
2. Overusing Whom
Another common error is overusing whom in places where who would be perfectly acceptable. Although whom is necessary in certain situations (like after prepositions or in more formal sentences), overuse can make your writing sound overly stiff or unnatural.
Overuse Example:
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The students, whom I have taught for many years, will graduate this year.
Better:
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The students, who I have taught for many years, will graduate this year.
(This sentence is more conversational and natural.)
In most cases, if the sentence doesn’t feel excessively formal, using who instead of whom will make your writing flow more smoothly.
3. Using Who’s Instead of Whose
A very common mistake is using who’s (a contraction for “who is” or “who has”) when the possessive whose is needed. This confusion arises because both words sound almost identical in speech, but they serve entirely different functions.
Incorrect:
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Who’s coat is this?
Correct: -
Whose coat is this?
(Whose indicates possession here, whereas who’s would be grammatically incorrect.)
A quick test to remember the difference: if the sentence makes sense when you replace who’s with “who is” or “who has,” you likely need to use who’s. If it doesn’t make sense, use whose.
4. Using Whom in a Sentence When Who is the Subject
Sometimes, writers mistakenly use whom as the subject of a sentence when who is actually the correct choice. This error typically arises because whom sounds more formal, leading people to choose it incorrectly in situations where who should be used.
Incorrect:
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Whom is coming to the party tonight?
Correct: -
Who is coming to the party tonight?
(In this case, who is the subject of the verb “is coming,” so it’s the right choice.)
How to Master Whom and Whose in Everyday Writing
For most people, who will be the go-to choice in everyday writing and conversation. However, understanding when and where to use whom and whose will elevate your writing, especially in more formal contexts. Here are some tips for mastering these pronouns:
1. Use Whom When Following Prepositions
If you’re using a preposition in a sentence (e.g., to, for, with), whom is often necessary after that preposition, especially when referring to people.
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To whom did you give the letter?
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With whom are you speaking?
These structures can feel formal, but they’re essential for clarity in writing. Remember, if the sentence contains a preposition, and you’re referring to a person, whom is your go-to pronoun.
2. Use Whose to Show Possession
Use whose to show that something belongs to someone, much like other possessive pronouns (his, her, their).
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Whose pen is this?
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The woman whose child was lost came to the police station.
While whose is primarily used to indicate possession, it can also be used to express a relationship or association.
3. Ask Yourself if You’re Referring to a Subject or Object
When you are unsure whether to use whom or who, ask yourself whether the person is performing the action (subject) or receiving the action (object).
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Who did you see? (Subject: who is the one doing the action of seeing.)
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Whom did you speak with? (Object: whom is receiving the action of speaking.)
This rule is particularly helpful in question formation, where who is often used in casual contexts even when whom is technically correct.
4. Practice with Examples
To solidify your understanding of whom and whose, practice by writing your own sentences using these pronouns. Try different sentence structures and see how whom and whose function in each case. The more you practice, the easier it will be to use these words naturally.
Conclusion: Mastering Whom and Whose in English Grammar
Understanding whom and whose is a key step toward mastering English grammar, especially for formal writing. While these two pronouns can sometimes seem tricky, with the right approach, you can use them confidently and correctly in your sentences.
In everyday speech, who is often enough, but whom and whose add depth to your writing, particularly in professional, academic, or polished content. By keeping in mind that whom is used for the object of a sentence and whose shows possession, you can avoid common mistakes and elevate your writing style.
So, whether you’re drafting an email, crafting an academic paper, or working on your next blog post, practicing with whom and whose will make your English more precise and professional. Remember, it’s not just about knowing the rules – it’s about using them to communicate clearly and effectively. Keep these tips handy, and you’ll soon find yourself confidently using whom and whose like a pro.
If you want to take your grammar skills even further, don’t hesitate to explore more grammar topics. Consistent practice will help you refine your writing and strengthen your language proficiency over time.