Have you ever paused mid-sentence, unsure whether to use “who” or “whom”? Or perhaps you’ve wondered if “whose” is the right choice in a particular context? You’re not alone. Even seasoned writers and native English speakers stumble over these three commonly confused pronouns.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll demystify the usage of WHO WHOM and WHOSE once and for all. You’ll learn not just the technical rules but also practical ways to remember when to use each pronoun correctly.
Understanding Relative Pronouns in English
Before diving into the specific pronouns, let’s understand their place in English grammar. WHO WHOM and WHOSE are all relative pronouns that help us connect clauses or provide additional information about a person or people mentioned in a sentence.
These pronouns fall into specific grammatical categories:
- WHO functions as a subject pronoun
- WHOM functions as an object pronoun
- WHOSE functions as a possessive pronoun
Let’s explore each one in detail.
WHO: The Subject Pronoun
WHO is a subject pronoun that refers to people (and occasionally animals with human-like qualities). As a subject, WHO is the doer of an action in a sentence or clause.
Definition and Function
WHO serves several important functions in English:
- It asks questions about people (“Who called?”)
- It introduces relative clauses about people (“The woman who lives next door”)
- It replaces the subject in a sentence when the subject is a person
When to Use WHO
Use WHO when you need a pronoun that performs the action in a sentence or clause. Here’s a simple test: if you can replace the pronoun with “he,” “she,” or “they” and the sentence still makes grammatical sense, WHO is correct.
WHO in Questions
- “Who sent this email?” (They sent this email.)
- “Who discovered penicillin?” (He discovered penicillin.)
- “Who will be attending the conference?” (They will be attending the conference.)
WHO in Statements
- “The scientist who discovered penicillin was Alexander Fleming.” (He discovered penicillin.)
- “Students who study regularly tend to perform better.” (They study regularly.)
- “Anyone who wants to join the club is welcome.” (He/she wants to join.)
The Case for Animals
Traditionally, WHO was reserved exclusively for people, while “that” or “which” were used for animals and objects. Modern usage has relaxed this rule somewhat.
- “The dog who saved the child received a medal.” (Acceptable in modern English, especially for pets or animals with names)
- “The whale who swam alongside our boat seemed curious.” (Less common but acceptable when attributing human-like qualities)
WHOM: The Object Pronoun
WHOM functions as an object pronoun, meaning it receives the action in a sentence rather than performing it. WHOM is the objective case of WHO.
Definition and Function
WHOM is used:
- As the object of a verb (“The person whom I met”)
- As the object of a preposition (“To whom it may concern”)
- In formal questions about objects (“Whom did you invite?”)
When to Use WHOM
Use WHOM when you need a pronoun that receives the action in a sentence or clause. Here’s a reliable test: if you can replace the pronoun with “him,” “her,” or “them” and the sentence still makes grammatical sense, WHOM is correct.
WHOM Following Prepositions
- “With whom did you go to the movie?” (I went with him/her/them.)
- “To whom should I address this letter?” (I should address it to him/her/them.)
- “The colleague from whom I borrowed the book is waiting.” (I borrowed the book from him/her.)
WHOM as Object of a Verb
- “The candidate whom we selected has declined the offer.” (We selected him/her.)
- “The professor whom everyone admires just published a new book.” Everyone admires him/her.
- “Whom did the committee choose for the position?” (The committee chose him/her.)
Formal vs. Informal Usage
In contemporary English, especially in casual conversation, many native speakers use WHO in place of WHOM. This is increasingly accepted in informal contexts, but formal writing still maintains the distinction:
| Context | Example | Formality Level |
|---|---|---|
| Formal | “To whom should I address this letter?” | High |
| Semi-formal | “The person whom I met yesterday.” | Medium |
| Informal | “Who did you go with?” | Low |
WHOSE: The Possessive Pronoun
WHOSE indicates ownership or possession. It functions as a possessive pronoun or determiner.
Definition and Function
WHOSE is used:
- To show possession by people (“Whose book is this?”)
- To show possession by things (“A car whose engine is noisy”)
- To introduce relative clauses involving possession (“The author whose book we read”)
When to Use WHOSE
Use WHOSE when you need to indicate ownership or a relationship between people or things. WHOSE functions similarly to possessive pronouns like “his,” “her,” or “their.”
WHOSE in Questions About Possession
- “Whose phone is ringing?” (Is it his/her/their phone?)
- “Whose turn is it to present?” (Is it his/her/their turn?)
- “Whose signature is on this document?” (Is it his/her/their signature?)
WHOSE in Relative Clauses
- “The professor whose research was published is giving a lecture.” His/her research was published.
- “The house whose roof was damaged has been repaired.” Its roof was damaged.
- “The students whose projects won awards will be recognized.” Their projects won awards.
Common Confusions and How to Resolve Them
Now that we’ve covered the basics of WHO WHOM and WHOSE let’s tackle some of the common areas of confusion.
WHO vs. WHOM: The Substitution Test
One of the most effective ways to determine whether to use WHO or WHOM is the substitution test:
- Rephrase the sentence to clarify the subject and object relationship
- Replace the pronoun with “he/she/they” (for WHO) or “him/her/them” (for WHOM)
- See which makes grammatical sense
Examples of the Substitution Test
| Question | Rephrased with Pronoun | Correct Choice |
|---|---|---|
| “___ wrote this letter?” | “He/she wrote this letter.” | WHO |
| “___ should I invite?” | “I should invite him/her.” | WHOM |
| “The person ___ called yesterday” | “He/she called yesterday.” | WHO |
| “The person ___ I called yesterday” | “I called him/her yesterday.” | WHOM |
WHOSE vs. WHO’S: Avoiding a Common Mistake
Another frequent area of confusion is between WHOSE and WHO’S. This is primarily a spelling issue, as they sound identical when spoken.
WHOSE (Possessive Pronoun)
- Shows ownership or relationship
- Cannot be replaced with “who is” or “who has”
- Examples: “Whose book is this?” or “The artist whose paintings we admired”
WHO’S (Contraction)
- Short for “who is” or “who has”
- Can always be expanded to “who is” or “who has”
- Examples: “Who’s coming to dinner?” (Who is coming) or “Who’s seen my keys?” (Who has seen)
Quick Test
If you can replace the word with “who is” or “who has” and the sentence still makes sense, use WHO’S. If not, use WHOSE.
| Sentence | Replace with “who is/has” | Correct Form |
|---|---|---|
| “_____ going to the party?” | “Who is going to the party?” ✓ | WHO’S |
| “_____ book is on the table?” | “Who is book is on the table?” ✗ | WHOSE |
| “The person _____ been hired” | “The person who has been hired” ✓ | WHO’S |
| “The dog _____ tail wagged” | “The dog who is tail wagged” ✗ | WHOSE |
Advanced Applications and Special Cases
WHO/WHOM with Multiple Clauses
When dealing with complex sentences containing multiple clauses, identify which clause the pronoun belongs to and determine its function within that clause:
- “I wonder who will tell him the news when he arrives.” (WHO is the subject of “will tell”)
- “The award went to the author whom the critics had consistently praised in their reviews.” (WHOM is the object of “had praised”)
WHO/WHOM at the Beginning of a Sentence
When WHO or WHOM appears at the beginning of a sentence, look at its function in the clause it introduces:
- “Who attends the meeting is entirely up to the director.” (WHO is the subject of “attends”)
- “Whom you choose to invite will affect the dynamics of the group.” (WHOM is the object of “choose”)
WHOSE for Inanimate Objects
Though traditionally WHOSE was used primarily for people, modern English accepts WHOSE for inanimate objects as an alternative to phrases like “of which”:
- “The tree whose branches were damaged in the storm” (Instead of “the tree, the branches of which were damaged”)
- “The novel whose ending surprised everyone” (Instead of “the novel, the ending of which surprised everyone”)
This usage is particularly common because English lacks a possessive form of “which.”
Prepositions and WHO/WHOM
Prepositions play a crucial role in determining whether to use WHO or WHOM. When a preposition precedes the pronoun, WHOM is typically required in formal writing.
Preposition + WHOM
- “To whom did you give the documents?”
- “With whom were you speaking?”
- “For whom is this package intended?”
Preposition at the End (Informal)
In informal English, it’s common to place the preposition at the end of the sentence and use WHO:
- “Who did you give the documents to?” (Informal)
- “Who were you speaking with?” (Informal)
- “Who is this package intended for?” (Informal)
Comparison of Formal vs. Informal Usage
| Formal Construction | Informal Construction |
|---|---|
| “To whom did you speak?” | “Who did you speak to?” |
| “From whom did you learn this?” | “Who did you learn this from?” |
| “With whom did you travel?” | “Who did you travel with?” |
In formal writing (academic papers, business correspondence, etc.), use the formal construction. In casual conversation or informal writing, the informal construction is widely accepted.
Historical Changes in Usage
The use of WHO WHOM and WHOSE has evolved significantly over time. Understanding these changes helps explain current usage patterns and the gradual simplification of English grammar.
The Declining Use of WHOM
The distinction between WHO and WHOM has been gradually eroding in everyday English:
| Time Period | Common Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-20th Century | Strict distinction between WHO and WHOM | “To whom shall I address this letter?” |
| Mid-20th Century | WHOM maintained in formal writing but declining in speech | “Who(m) did you invite to dinner?” |
| Contemporary | WHOM primarily in formal contexts and fixed expressions | “To whom it may concern” remains, but “Who did you see?” is common |
Linguists predict that WHOM may eventually be relegated to only the most formal contexts or fixed phrases.
Common Errors and Correction Strategies On WHO WHOM and WHOSE
Let’s examine some common errors with WHO WHOM and WHOSE and develop strategies to correct them.
Misusing WHO for WHOM
Incorrect: “Who did you invite to the party?”
Correct: “Whom did you invite to the party?”
Correction Strategy: Apply the substitution test by rephrasing the sentence: “You invited him/her to the party,” which shows that the object form (WHOM) is needed.
Misusing WHOM for WHO
Incorrect: “The person whom called yesterday left a message.”
Correct: “The person who called yesterday left a message.”
Correction Strategy: Rephrase to check subject/object role: “He/she called yesterday,” confirming WHO is correct.
Confusion with WHOSE and WHO’S
Incorrect: “The student who’s paper was excellent received an A.”
Correct: “The student whose paper was excellent received an A.”
Correction Strategy: Expand the contraction – “The student who is paper” makes no sense, so WHOSE is correct.
Inconsistent Formality Level
Incorrect: “To who should I address this package?”
Correct: “To whom should I address this package?”
Correction Strategy: When a preposition precedes the pronoun in formal writing, WHOM is typically required.
Practical Examples in Context
Let’s apply our knowledge in various contexts to solidify understanding.
Business Communication
| Situation | Correct Usage | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Email greeting | “Dear colleagues, who will be attending the conference” | Subject of “will be attending” |
| Formal letter | “To whom it may concern” | Object of preposition “to” |
| Meeting minutes | “Ms. Johnson, whose presentation was well-received” | Shows possession |
| Job posting | “Candidates who have experience in marketing” | Subject of “have experience” |
Academic Writing
| Context | Correct Usage | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Research paper | “Researchers who conducted the study found…” | Subject of “conducted” |
| Citation | “Smith, whose theory has been widely adopted” | Shows possession |
| Analysis | “The participants whom we interviewed reported…” | Object of “interviewed” |
| Literature review | “Authors whose works explore this theme” | Shows possession |
Everyday Conversation
| Casual Setting | Formal Equivalent | Acceptability |
|---|---|---|
| “Who did you see?” | “Whom did you see?” | Both acceptable; first more common |
| “Who are you talking to?” | “To whom are you talking?” | Both acceptable; first more common |
| “Whose is this?” | (Same in formal) | Universally accepted |
| “Who’s going to the store?” | (Same in formal) | Universally accepted |
Comprehensive Usage Guidelines
To master WHO WHOM and WHOSE, follow these comprehensive guidelines:
When to Use WHO
- When referring to the subject (doer) of a verb
- When it can be replaced with he/she/they
- In questions asking about the subject
- In relative clauses where the pronoun is the subject
When to Use WHOM
- When referring to the object of a verb or preposition
- When it can be replaced with him/her/them
- After prepositions (to, for, with, by, etc.)
- In formal writing and speech
When to Use WHOSE
- To show possession or relationship
- Before a noun to indicate which person the noun belongs to
- In questions about possession
- In relative clauses involving possession
The Evolution of Usage in Digital Communication
Modern digital communication has influenced how we use these pronouns:
| Communication Medium | Typical Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Email | Formal, preserves WHO/WHOM distinction | “To whom this may concern” |
| Text Messages | Informal, predominantly WHO | “Who r u going with?” |
| Social Media | Very informal, almost exclusively WHO | “Who wants to hang out tonight?” |
| Blogging | Semi-formal, mixed usage | “The readers whose feedback matters most” |
Practical Memory Aids
The “m” Test
Remember that WHOM contains the letter “m” just like object pronouns hiM, theM, and heR (contains “r” but still follows the pattern conceptually).
Subject-Object Relationship
- WHO = Subject (performs action)
- WHOM = Object (receives action)
Possessive Indicator
WHOSE always indicates possession or relationship, similar to other possessive forms like his, hers, theirs.
Summary: Mastering WHO WHOM and WHOSE
Understanding the correct usage of WHO WHOM and WHOSE comes down to recognizing their grammatical functions:
- WHO functions as a subject pronoun – the doer of an action
- WHOM functions as an object pronoun – the receiver of an action
- WHOSE functions as a possessive pronoun – indicating ownership
While formal writing still maintains strict distinctions between these pronouns, everyday English continues to evolve, with WHOM gradually losing ground to WHO in many contexts. Being aware of formality levels allows you to adjust your usage appropriately.
The substitution tests we’ve covered provide practical tools for determining the correct pronoun in any situation:
- Replace with he/she/they to test for WHO
- Replace with him/her/them to test for WHOM
- Replace with his/her/their to test for WHOSE
With these strategies and a clear understanding of the grammatical roles, you can navigate the WHO/WHOM/WHOSE distinction with confidence in any context.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to use WHOM and WHOSE?
WHOM is used:
- As the object of a verb: “The candidate whom we selected has excellent qualifications.”
- As the object of a preposition: “To whom should I address this package?”
- In formal questions about the object: “Whom did you meet at the conference?”
WHOSE is used:
- To show possession or relationship: “The student whose essay won the competition.”
- In questions about ownership: “Whose car is parked in the driveway?”
- As a relative pronoun indicating possession: “The house whose roof was damaged in the storm.”
- For both people and things to indicate belonging: “The committee whose decision is final.”
WHO or WHOSE example?
WHO examples:
- “The person who called earlier left a message.” (WHO is the subject of “called”)
- “Who is responsible for this project?” (WHO is the subject in a question)
- “Students who complete all assignments will receive extra credit.” (WHO introduces a relative clause)
WHOSE examples:
- “The author whose book became a bestseller is giving a lecture.” (WHOSE shows possession)
- “Whose turn is it to present next?” (WHOSE in a question about possession)
- “The company whose products we reviewed has contacted us.” (WHOSE indicates relationship)
How do you use WHOM in a sentence?
WHOM is used in several ways:
- After prepositions:
- “The colleague with whom I collaborated wrote the report.”
- “The person from whom I received the gift sent a thank-you note.”
- As a direct object:
- “The candidate whom the committee selected withdrew her application.”
- “The professor whom everyone respects just published a new book.”
- In formal questions:
- “Whom did you invite to the reception?”
- “Whom should we notify about the change in plans?”
- In formal relative clauses:
- “The applicants, most of whom had advanced degrees, were well-qualified.”
- “The clients, all of whom attended the presentation, asked insightful questions.”
Where do we use WHOSE in a sentence?
WHOSE is used in the following contexts:
- In questions about possession:
- “Whose phone is ringing?”
- “Whose responsibility is it to lock the door?”
- In relative clauses showing possession for people:
- “The professor whose research was published received a grant.”
- “The employees whose suggestions were implemented received recognition.”
- In relative clauses showing possession for things (instead of “of which”):
- “The building whose foundation was damaged needs repairs.”
- “The theory whose principles we studied has been widely accepted.”
- In clauses that define or provide additional information:
- “The committee, whose decision is final, will announce the results tomorrow.”
- “The organization whose mission aligns with our values deserves our support.”