There are some ongoing debates where it’s impossible to come to a consensus — cats vs. dogs, Coke vs. Pepsi, summer vs. winter … the list goes on and on. But when it comes to grammar, there’s an explanation for every argument, no matter how confusing it may seem. Take, for instance, the debate over when to use “who” vs. “whom.” Some say that “whom” is archaic and outdated, while others insist that it still has an important role in the English language. Read on for a handy trick that will ensure you always know which “w” word to use, no matter the context.
Here’s the technical rule: “Who” is used when referring to the subject of the sentence, and “whom” is used when referring to the object of a verb or preposition. But let’s try to explain that in a way that you’ll remember when you’re mid-conversation.
If a person has completed an action or is being discussed, that means they’re the subject of the sentence. In this case, you should use “who” — for example, “Who ate all the cake?” or “Who wrote this article?” But if a person is having (or has had) something done to them, they’re no longer the subject, but rather the object of the verb. “Whom” is more appropriate in these contexts: “Whom do you like best?” and “Whom are you going to meet?”
As for that simple trick to help you get “who vs. whom” right each and every time? If the question can be answered with “he,” “she,” or “they,” you should use “who.” For example: “Who ate all the cake? / He ate all the cake.” But if the question is better answered using “him,” “her,” or “them,” then “whom” is the right choice. As a memory aid, remember that if the potential answer could be “him” (even if it actually is “her”), use “whom,” because they both end in a letter “m.” “Whom are you going to meet? / I’m going to meet him/her/them.” We hope that clears things up, so go out there and spread the word of your mnemonic who/whom trick.
