Let’s face it, whom is a problem word. Nobody seems to be quite sure about its proper usage. The truth is, very few people use whom in speech when it’s technically correct. Even scholars who know the rules don’t always apply them. Consider some examples.
“Whom were you talking to?” Most teachers will use the word who in this case, even if they know better.
Nonetheless, the word still exists, and some people do take all grammar rules very seriously. Some examiners, for example, will want to see and hear excellent grammar in your communications. It’s well worth your while to understand the basic rules underlying the use of who and whom.
1. Whom is used as an object
- Who is at the door?
- Whom did you see at the door?
Do you understand why who is correct in one sentence and whom is correct in the other? The answer is, who is always used as the subject of a sentence or clause, and whom is always used as an object.
In the first sentence of the set above, who is the subject. In the second sentence, you is the subject and whom is the direct object.
2. Whom is also used as the object of a preposition
Prepositions include words like to, for, about, under, over, of, after, and before.
- I will begin my letter with the phrase: To Whom It May Concern.
- I don’t know from whom the love letter came.
- They fought over whom?
- After whom do I enter the stage?
So what can you do?
First of all, consider your audience. If you find yourself speaking to a person you would like to impress, then you should simply pause and think before you speak. It won’t sound strange. Think about it; many intelligent people pause a lot while they are talking. They are thinking before they speak!
If you are confused about subjects and objects and can’t think fast when you find yourself speaking in public, you can either avoid using who and whom, or use this simple test in your head.
Silently replace the word with he or him to see which sounds better. He is the equivalent of who (subjective) and him is the equivalent of whom (objective).
For instance, if you want to decide which is correct in this sentence:
Who/Whom should I consider as a college recommendation?
Re-arrange the sentence in your head so it will make sense using him or he. You will come up with the following choices:
I should consider him…
I should consider he… Him is clearly better
Therefore, the correct word in the sentence above will be whom.
Source:about.com
