Table of Contents
Quick Overview
Understanding the difference between Who and Whom is essential for clear, professional writing in American English. These two words are classic homophones-they sound almost identical in everyday speech, but they have completely different meanings and grammatical functions. Mixing them up is one of the most common spelling and grammar mistakes in the English language.
| Feature | Who | Whom |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Performs the action in a sentence (Subject) | Receives the action in a sentence (Object) |
| Part of Speech | Subject Pronoun (like I, he, she, they) | Object Pronoun (like me, him, her, them) |
| Pronunciation | /hu/ | /hum/ |
| Common Contexts | Questions, subject relative clauses, everyday speech | Formal writing, prepositions, object relative clauses |
| Example | Who is coming to the party? | To whom should I address the letter? |
| Memory Trick | If you can answer with 'he' or 'she', use 'who' | If you can answer with 'him' or 'them', use 'whom' |
Understanding "Who"
A detailed breakdown of meaning, grammar, and usage.
Meaning
Pronunciation
Word Class (Pronoun)
Grammar
Common Uses
Literal Meaning
Figurative Meaning
American English Usage
Typical Sentence Patterns
Common Collocations
Understanding "Whom"
A detailed breakdown of meaning, grammar, and usage.
Meaning
Pronunciation
Word Class (Pronoun)
Grammar
Common Uses
Literal Meaning
Figurative Meaning
American English Usage
Typical Sentence Patterns
Common Collocations
Key Differences
Core Definition
Who is the subject performing the action. Whom is the object receiving the action.
Grammar Role
Who acts like 'he' or 'they'. Whom acts like 'him' or 'them'.
Pronunciation
Who is pronounced /hu/ (ends in a vowel sound). Whom is pronounced /hum/ (ends with an 'm' sound).
Formality
Who is standard in all contexts, both spoken and written. Whom is strictly formal and primarily used in writing or very formal speech.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Who | Whom |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Performs the action in a sentence (Subject) | Receives the action in a sentence (Object) |
| Part of Speech | Subject Pronoun (like I, he, she, they) | Object Pronoun (like me, him, her, them) |
| Pronunciation | /hu/ | /hum/ |
| Common Contexts | Questions, subject relative clauses, everyday speech | Formal writing, prepositions, object relative clauses |
| Example | Who is coming to the party? | To whom should I address the letter? |
| Memory Trick | If you can answer with 'he' or 'she', use 'who' | If you can answer with 'him' or 'them', use 'whom' |
Grammar Rules
Grammar Rules & Mechanics
Understanding the distinction between subject and object pronouns is the key to never confusing 'who' and 'whom' again.
Subject vs. Object
If the pronoun is doing the action, use 'who'. If the pronoun is receiving the action, use 'whom'.
- Correct: Who called me?
- Incorrect: Whom called me?
- Correct: Whom did you call?
- Incorrect: Who did you call?
The pronoun is performing the action (calling), so 'who' is correct. You can substitute 'he': 'He called me.'
The pronoun is receiving the action (being called), so 'whom' is correct. You can substitute 'him': 'Did you call him?'
Following Prepositions
When a pronoun immediately follows a preposition (to, for, with, about), it must be 'whom'.
- Correct: With whom are you traveling?
- Incorrect: With who are you traveling?
'With' is a preposition, so the object pronoun 'whom' is required.
Relative Clauses
In relative clauses, look at the verb inside the clause to determine if you need the subject or object form.
- Correct: The doctor who treated me was excellent.
- Incorrect: The doctor whom treated me was excellent.
- Correct: The doctor whom I visited was excellent.
- Incorrect: The doctor who I visited was excellent.
The doctor is doing the treating (subject), so 'who' is correct.
The doctor is being visited (object), so 'whom' is correct.
The Him/Them Substitute Test
The easiest trick is to answer the question with 'him' or 'them'. If it works, use 'whom' (both end in 'm').
- Correct: Whom should I invite?
- Incorrect: Who should I invite?
Answer: I should invite 'him'. Since 'him' works, use 'whom'.
When to Use "Who"
Specific scenarios where 'who' is the correct choice. It functions as a subject pronoun, meaning it performs the action of the verb.
Asking for the Subject
Use 'who' when asking a question where the answer would be the person doing the action.
Example: Who took the last slice of pizza?
Identifying People
Use 'who' to ask for someone's identity or name.
Example: Who is that woman standing by the door?
Subject Relative Clauses
Use 'who' to introduce a clause where the person is the subject performing the action.
Example: The mechanic who fixed my car is very experienced.
Inquiring about Ownership
Use 'who' with 'has' to ask who possesses something.
Example: Who has the keys to the storage room?
Asking for Opinions
Use 'who' to ask who thinks or believes a certain way.
Example: Who believes we can hit the quarterly target?
Expressing Surprise
Use 'who' in rhetorical questions or expressions of disbelief regarding someone's actions.
Example: Who would do such a terrible thing?
Polling a Group
Use 'who' to ask for a show of hands or group preference.
Example: Who wants to join the new committee?
Connecting Clauses
Use 'who' to link two sentences where the subject of the second is the person from the first.
Example: I spoke to the manager who approved the refund.
When to Use "Whom"
Specific scenarios where 'whom' is the correct choice. It functions as an object pronoun, meaning it receives the action or follows a preposition.
Following Prepositions
Use 'whom' directly after a preposition like 'to', 'for', 'with', or 'about'.
Example: With whom are you going to the conference?
Asking for the Object
Use 'whom' when asking a question where the answer would be the person receiving the action.
Example: Whom did the committee select for the award?
Formal Letter Salutations
Use 'whom' in the standard formal greeting when the recipient's name is unknown.
Example: To whom it may concern, I am writing to recommend Mr. Smith.
Object Relative Clauses
Use 'whom' to introduce a clause where the person is the object receiving the action.
Example: The candidate whom we interviewed yesterday was excellent.
Expressing Benefit or Purpose
Use 'whom' to indicate who is being helped or targeted by an action.
Example: For whom is this gift intended?
Formal Inquiries
Use 'whom' in formal, professional questions regarding personnel or clients.
Example: Whom should I contact regarding the billing discrepancy?
Discussing Individuals
Use 'whom' to specify a person being talked about or referenced.
Example: The author, about whom we were speaking, just won a prize.
Identifying Recipients
Use 'whom' to identify who received an object or communication.
Example: Whom did you send the email to?
Common Expressions
Idioms and standard phrases that rely on the specific meaning of each word.
Expressions with "Who"
1. Who is there
Meaning: Asking for the identity of a person present.
Example: Who is there at the door?
2. Who knows
Meaning: A rhetorical question or inquiry about knowledge.
Example: Who knows what tomorrow will bring?
3. Who cares
Meaning: Expressing indifference about a topic.
Example: Who cares if it rains? We are indoors.
4. Who said that
Meaning: Questioning the source of a statement.
Example: Who said that I was resigning?
5. Who wants
Meaning: Polling a group for desire or interest.
Example: Who wants to go to the movies tonight?
6. Who did it
Meaning: Inquiring who performed a specific action.
Example: Who did this amazing artwork?
7. Who called
Meaning: Asking for the identity of a caller.
Example: Who called while I was in the shower?
8. Who are you
Meaning: Directly questioning someone's identity.
Example: Who are you to tell me what to do?
9. Who has seen
Meaning: Asking if anyone has witnessed something.
Example: Who has seen my blue folder?
10. Who will win
Meaning: Speculating on the victor of a competition.
Example: Who will win the championship this year?
11. Who can help
Meaning: Seeking assistance from a group.
Example: Who can help me move this weekend?
12. Who likes
Meaning: Inquiring about preferences.
Example: Who likes pineapple on their pizza?
13. Who told you
Meaning: Questioning the source of someone's information.
Example: Who told you that I was moving?
14. Who thinks
Meaning: Asking for opinions or beliefs.
Example: Who thinks this is a good idea?
15. Who believes
Meaning: Inquiring about faith or conviction.
Example: Who believes in ghosts anymore?
16. Who works
Meaning: Asking about someone's employment or function.
Example: Who works in the IT department?
17. Who lives
Meaning: Inquiring about residency.
Example: Who lives in that haunted house?
18. Who plays
Meaning: Asking about participation in a game or sport.
Example: Who plays the guitar in your band?
19. Who drives
Meaning: Asking who operates a vehicle.
Example: Who drives the kids to school?
20. Who else
Meaning: Inquiring about additional people.
Example: Who else is coming to dinner?
Expressions with "Whom"
1. To whom
Meaning: Indicating the recipient of an action or item.
Example: To whom should I address this package?
2. For whom
Meaning: Indicating who benefits from an action.
Example: For whom are you buying those flowers?
3. With whom
Meaning: Indicating accompaniment.
Example: With whom are you going to the gala?
4. From whom
Meaning: Indicating the source or origin.
Example: From whom did you receive this letter?
5. About whom
Meaning: Indicating the subject of discussion.
Example: About whom were you speaking just now?
6. By whom
Meaning: Indicating the agent of a passive action.
Example: By whom was this document authorized?
7. In whom
Meaning: Indicating where trust or belief is placed.
Example: She is a leader in whom we have great confidence.
8. Of whom
Meaning: Indicating possession or composition.
Example: He has three brothers, one of whom is a doctor.
9. Whom did you see
Meaning: Formal inquiry about the object of a visit.
Example: Whom did you see at the clinic yesterday?
10. Whom should I call
Meaning: Formal inquiry about who to contact.
Example: Whom should I call to report the outage?
11. Whom did you meet
Meaning: Formal inquiry about an introduction.
Example: Whom did you meet at the networking event?
12. Whom do you trust
Meaning: Formal inquiry about reliability.
Example: Whom do you trust with your financial data?
13. Whom did they hire
Meaning: Formal inquiry about a new employee.
Example: Whom did they hire for the manager position?
14. Whom did you invite
Meaning: Formal inquiry about a guest list.
Example: Whom did you invite to the wedding?
15. Whom are you voting
Meaning: Formal inquiry about political support.
Example: Whom are you voting for in the election?
16. Whom it may concern
Meaning: Standard formal salutation for an unknown recipient.
Example: To whom it may concern, I am submitting my resume.
17. Whom did she marry
Meaning: Formal inquiry about a spouse.
Example: Whom did she marry after the divorce?
18. Whom did the teacher punish
Meaning: Formal inquiry about disciplinary action.
Example: Whom did the teacher punish for the prank?
19. Whom do you admire
Meaning: Formal inquiry about respect or role models.
Example: Whom do you admire the most in history?
20. Among whom
Meaning: Indicating distribution within a group.
Example: Among whom was the inheritance divided?
Collocations
Who is
Meaning: Asking for identity or state of being.
Example: Who is the current president of the club?
Who are
Meaning: Asking for the identity of a plural group.
Example: Who are those people in the lobby?
Who knows
Meaning: A phrase expressing uncertainty.
Example: Who knows if it will rain tomorrow.
Who cares
Meaning: A phrase expressing indifference.
Example: Who cares about the dress code?
Who says
Meaning: Questioning authority or a statement.
Example: Who says we can't eat dessert first?
Who did
Meaning: Asking who performed a past action.
Example: Who did the dishes last night?
Who has
Meaning: Asking about possession.
Example: Who has the remote control?
Who can
Meaning: Asking about ability.
Example: Who can solve this math problem?
Who will
Meaning: Asking about future intention.
Example: Who will take care of the dog while we are away?
Who else
Meaning: Asking about additional people.
Example: Who else wants to sign up for the trip?
To whom
Meaning: Indicating the recipient.
Example: To whom did you give the keys?
For whom
Meaning: Indicating benefit or purpose.
Example: For whom is this gift?
With whom
Meaning: Indicating accompaniment.
Example: With whom are you dining tonight?
From whom
Meaning: Indicating origin.
Example: From whom did you inherit that ring?
About whom
Meaning: Indicating the subject of conversation.
Example: About whom were they whispering?
By whom
Meaning: Indicating the agent of an action.
Example: By whom was this painting created?
In whom
Meaning: Indicating trust or belief.
Example: She is someone in whom I confide.
Of whom
Meaning: Indicating possession or part of a group.
Example: He has two daughters, both of whom are in college.
Whom did
Meaning: Formal inquiry about a past object.
Example: Whom did you call at midnight?
Whom should
Meaning: Formal inquiry about correct action.
Example: Whom should we notify about this?
Idioms
Who's who
Meaning: A guide or list of prominent people, or the distinction between people.
Example: The gala was a literal who's who of Hollywood celebrities.
Who knows
Meaning: An expression of uncertainty or lack of knowledge.
Example: Who knows what the stock market will do tomorrow.
Who's to say
Meaning: Questioning who has the authority to make a judgment.
Example: Who's to say that his way of doing things is wrong?
Who cares
Meaning: An expression indicating that something does not matter.
Example: You spilled a little water? Who cares, it's not a big deal.
Who done it
Meaning: A mystery story focused on finding a murderer.
Example: Agatha Christie is famous for her classic who done it novels.
Who am I to judge
Meaning: A phrase acknowledging one's own lack of perfection before criticizing others.
Example: You like to sleep in late? Who am I to judge, I do the same.
Who does he think he is
Meaning: An expression of indignation at someone's arrogance.
Example: He cut in front of the line; who does he think he is?
Who says
Meaning: A challenge to a rule or assumption.
Example: You can't eat ice cream for breakfast? Who says?
Guess who
Meaning: A playful prompt to identify a hidden or calling person.
Example: Guess who just got tickets to the concert!
Who can tell
Meaning: Rhetorical question meaning no one knows.
Example: Will it snow this Christmas? Who can tell.
To whom it may concern
Meaning: A formal salutation used when the recipient's name is unknown.
Example: To whom it may concern, I am writing to apply for the position.
For whom the bell tolls
Meaning: A phrase meaning we are all connected, and another's death affects us all.
Example: He felt a deep sadness at the stranger's funeral, remembering that no man is an island, and for whom the bell tolls.
Whom do you trust
Meaning: A direct, formal challenge questioning loyalty or reliability.
Example: In a world of spies, whom do you trust?
A man whom
Meaning: Formal phrasing to describe a male person's objective role.
Example: He is a man whom I deeply respect.
Those whom
Meaning: Formal phrasing referring to a specific group receiving an action.
Example: Those whom the gods love die young.
He whom
Meaning: Formal phrasing referring to a male receiving an action.
Example: He whom the king favors shall be rewarded.
She whom
Meaning: Formal phrasing referring to a female receiving an action.
Example: She whom we seek is not here.
The person whom
Meaning: Formal phrasing connecting a noun to an objective clause.
Example: The person whom you appointed has failed us.
Whom are you kidding
Meaning: A formal variation of 'who are you kidding', questioning someone's self-deception.
Example: Whom are you kidding? We both know you hate your job.
With whom I agree
Meaning: Formal phrasing indicating alignment with someone.
Example: My boss, with whom I agree on most things, made a poor choice today.
Example Sentences
Easy
- Who is at the door?
- Who wants to play a game?
- To whom should I give this book?
- Who ate all the cookies?
- With whom are you going to the park?
- Who is that boy?
- Whom did you see at the mall?
- Who knows the answer to question three?
- For whom did you buy those flowers?
- Who called you so early in the morning?
- Whom should I call about the leak?
- Who likes ice cream?
- From whom did you get that letter?
- Who are your best friends?
- Whom did the teacher pick for the team?
- Who has my red pen?
- About whom were you talking?
- Who made this mess in the kitchen?
- Whom did you invite to the party?
- Who wants to be a millionaire?
Intermediate
- The man who fixed my car did a fantastic job.
- The candidate whom we interviewed yesterday was very impressive.
- Who knows when the next train is arriving?
- She is the lawyer to whom I was referred.
- Who is responsible for ordering the office supplies?
- The author, about whom we were speaking, is signing books today.
- Who do you think will win the election?
- I have three brothers, one of whom is an engineer.
- The teacher who teaches calculus is retiring this year.
- Whom did you choose as your lab partner?
- Who else knows about this surprise party?
- The clients with whom we met have signed the contract.
- Who could have predicted such a sudden market crash?
- My boss, whom I respect deeply, offered me a promotion.
- Who are you going to ask for help with the move?
- The athlete whom the scouts came to see broke his leg.
- Who wants to join me for lunch at the new cafe?
- The senator, for whom many voted, failed to deliver on his promises.
- Who told you that I was looking for a new job?
- The musician whom I admire most is coming to town.
Advanced
- The researcher who discovered the anomaly declined to comment on the record.
- The committee members, whom the president appointed, possess diverse backgrounds in finance.
- Who bears the ultimate responsibility for this catastrophic failure?
- The diplomat, with whom the negotiations were conducted, secured a historic treaty.
- The novel features a protagonist who struggles with profound moral ambiguity.
- The investor, from whom the startup received its initial funding, demanded a seat on the board.
- Who could have foreseen the geopolitical ramifications of the treaty?
- The scientist whom the university recently tenured is publishing a groundbreaking paper.
- Who dictates the stylistic guidelines for this prestigious publication?
- The architect, by whom the skyline was forever altered, received a posthumous award.
- The philosophical treatise explores the nature of the self and who we truly are.
- The whistleblower, whom the agency attempted to silence, testified before Congress.
- Who possesses the authority to override a presidential veto in this context?
- The philanthropist, in whom the community placed its trust, was revealed as a fraud.
- The general who orchestrated the counter-offensive was subsequently promoted.
- The fugitive, whom the authorities had been tracking for months, was finally apprehended.
- Who truly benefits from these convoluted tax loopholes?
- The artist whom the critics once dismissed is now enjoying a major retrospective.
- The professor, to whom the department chair deferred, made the final decision.
- Who determines the ethical boundaries of artificial intelligence research?
Academic
- The scholar who authored the definitive text on quantum mechanics has retired.
- The participants, whom researchers selected randomly, were unaware of the hypothesis.
- Who can definitively prove the existence of the multiverse?
- The theoretical framework, upon which the study rests, has been widely debated.
- The historian who uncovered the lost manuscripts was awarded a prestigious fellowship.
- The peer reviewers, to whom the manuscript was submitted, requested major revisions.
- Who bears the burden of proof in this complex epistemological argument?
- The variables, among which correlation was measured, did not yield statistically significant results.
- The anthropologist who studied the indigenous tribe published her findings.
- The control group, from whom the baseline data was extracted, exhibited no anomalies.
- Who pioneered the methodology currently utilized in sociological research?
- The university president, whom the faculty senate overwhelmingly supported, enacted the policy.
- The linguist who mapped the syntax of the endangered language passed away.
- The ethical guidelines, by which the researchers were bound, prohibited deception.
- Who determines the curriculum standards for advanced placement courses?
- The biologist whom the Nobel committee honored delivered the keynote address.
- The philosopher who challenged the Cartesian dualism remains highly influential.
- The subjects, about whom the demographic data was collected, consented to the study.
- Who has access to the restricted archives containing the primary sources?
- The archaeologist whom the university dispatched discovered a new ruin.
Business
- Who is handling the Harrison account while Sarah is on leave?
- The vendor whom we contracted failed to meet the delivery deadline.
- Who approved the budget for the marketing campaign?
- The client, to whom we presented the proposal, requested a revised timeline.
- Who will be taking over as the interim CEO?
- The auditor whom the board hired discovered significant discrepancies.
- Who has the authority to sign off on this merger?
- The investors, from whom we are seeking capital, are very risk-averse.
- Who do we need to cc on this email thread?
- The manager whom the employees complained about has been transferred.
- Who is leading the training seminar for the new software?
- The partner, with whom we collaborate on logistics, has upgraded their system.
- Who generated the Q3 sales report?
- The candidate whom HR recommended accepted our job offer.
- Who should I contact regarding the invoice discrepancy?
- The consultant, about whom the CEO spoke highly, will start next week.
- Who authorized the press release without legal review?
- The supplier whom we fired is threatening a lawsuit.
- Who is responsible for maintaining the company website?
- The whistleblower, whom the company tried to silence, went to the press.
Real-Life Conversations
Office
Colleague 1: Who is going to lead the meeting today?
Colleague 2: I think it's the manager. By the way, whom should I give these files to?
Colleague 1: Give them to the intern. Who knows where he is?
Colleague 2: I saw him with the clients to whom we pitched yesterday.
Restaurant
Host: Welcome! Who is in your party tonight?
Customer: There are four of us. With whom are we dining tonight? Is the chef new?
Host: Yes, the chef whom we hired last week is fantastic.
Customer: Great! Who recommended this place to you?
School
Student: Who knows the answer to problem number four?
Teacher: I do, but I want you to figure it out. Whom did you ask for help?
Student: I asked the tutor whom I usually meet on Tuesdays.
Teacher: Good. Who else is in your study group?
Phone Call
Caller: Hello, who is speaking?
Receiver: This is John. To whom am I speaking?
Caller: I am the person whom you called about the car.
Formal vs Informal Usage
Cover Letters
In cover letters, use 'whom' for the salutation, but 'who' when referring to the hiring manager performing an action.
Example: To whom it may concern, I am writing to the person who handles hiring.
Legal Documents
In legal writing, 'whom' identifies the recipient of an action or penalty, while 'who' identifies the actor.
Example: The person who committed the crime shall be penalized against whom the law applies.
Business English
Customer Service
In customer service, agents use 'who' for caller identity, and 'whom' for directing inquiries.
Example: Who is calling, and to whom should I direct your complaint?
Corporate Emails
In corporate emails, 'who' is used for the subject of a sentence, while 'whom' is used after prepositions.
Example: Who sent the email, and to whom was it forwarded?
Academic Writing
Research Papers
In academic writing, 'whom' is strictly adhered to in object positions, while 'who' is used for researchers performing studies.
Example: The scientist who conducted the study interviewed the subjects whom she selected.
Citations
In academic citations, 'whom' is used to refer to the author being cited or referenced.
Example: The author, whom Smith cited extensively, argued against the theory.
Common Mistakes
Whom is calling?
Correct: Who is calling?
Why: The pronoun is performing the action (calling), so the subject 'who' is required.
Who did you meet?
Correct: Whom did you meet?
Why: The pronoun is receiving the action (being met), so the object 'whom' is correct, though 'who' is common informally.
With who are you going?
Correct: With whom are you going?
Why: The pronoun follows the preposition 'with', so it must be the object 'whom'.
Whom knows the answer?
Correct: Who knows the answer?
Why: The pronoun is performing the action (knowing), so the subject 'who' is required.
The man whom called me is here.
Correct: The man who called me is here.
Why: The man is doing the calling (subject of the relative clause), so 'who' is correct.
To who should I address this?
Correct: To whom should I address this?
Why: Following the preposition 'to', the object pronoun 'whom' is required.
Who did they hire?
Correct: Whom did they hire?
Why: The pronoun is receiving the action (being hired), so 'whom' is correct in formal grammar.
Whom wants to go first?
Correct: Who wants to go first?
Why: The pronoun is performing the action (wanting), so the subject 'who' is required.
For who are you buying that?
Correct: For whom are you buying that?
Why: Following the preposition 'for', the object pronoun 'whom' is required.
The doctor who I saw was late.
Correct: The doctor whom I saw was late.
Why: The doctor is receiving the action (being seen), so 'whom' is correct in formal grammar.
Learning Tips
Memory Trick: The 'M' Trick
Both 'whom' and 'him' end with the letter 'm'. If you can answer the question with 'him', use 'whom'.
Memory Trick: Who = He
If you can substitute the word with 'he' or 'she', use 'who'. If you use 'him' or 'her', use 'whom'.
The Preposition Rule
If the word immediately follows a preposition (to, for, with, about), it is almost always 'whom'.
The Action Check
If the pronoun is doing the action, use 'who'. If it is having the action done to it, use 'whom'.
Formality Context
In casual speech, 'who' is acceptable for both. In formal writing or tests, strictly apply the 'he/him' rule to choose between who and whom.
🎮 Mini Quiz
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions.
What is the main difference between who and whom?
'Who' is a subject pronoun performing the action. 'Whom' is an object pronoun receiving the action or following a preposition.
Is 'whom' becoming obsolete?
In spoken and casual American English, 'whom' is rarely used, and 'who' has taken over. However, it remains standard and expected in formal, academic, and legal writing.
What is the easiest way to know which one to use?
Answer the question. If the answer is 'he' or 'they', use 'who'. If the answer is 'him' or 'them', use 'whom'. Both 'whom' and 'him' end in 'm'.
Is 'To whom it may concern' still correct?
Yes, 'To whom it may concern' is the standard formal salutation for a letter when you do not know the recipient's name.
Can I just use 'who' all the time?
In casual speech, yes. In formal writing, tests, or professional correspondence, using 'who' in place of 'whom' will be considered a grammatical error.
Why do people struggle with who and whom?
English has mostly lost its case system for nouns. We don't say 'I gave it to he', but because 'who/whom' sounds similar and the distinction is ignored in casual speech, people forget the rule.
Does 'whom' come before a verb?
No. 'Whom' is an object, so it does not perform the verb. If the pronoun is doing the verb, use 'who'.
Is it 'who' or 'whom' after a preposition?
It is always 'whom' after a preposition. For example: 'with whom', 'for whom', 'to whom'.
Are 'who' and 'whom' pronounced the same?
No. 'Who' is pronounced /hu/ (ending in an 'oo' sound), while 'whom' is pronounced /hum/ (ending with an 'm' sound).
What is a relative clause?
A relative clause gives more information about a noun. You use 'who' if the noun is the subject of the clause, and 'whom' if the noun is the object (e.g., 'The man who called' vs 'The man whom I called').
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