At Belekar Sir’s Academy, we focus on strengthening your core English skills, and that includes mastering tricky grammar points like “who” vs. “whom.”
Even advanced speakers often mix these up because the difference is small but important—one acts as the subject, the other as the object. Knowing when to use each doesn’t just improve your grammar; it makes your writing sharper and more professional. This quick guide will clear up the confusion so you can use “who” and “whom” with complete confidence.
Introduction
Why “who” and “whom” confuse so many people?
Even native speakers often mix them up. That’s because the difference is subtle—“who” is a subject, and “whom” is an object. In everyday speech, people often use “who” for everything. But in formal writing, using “whom” correctly adds clarity and polish.
Why it matters?
Mastering this simple rule shows you have a strong grasp of grammar. It instantly improves your emails, essays, and professional documents.
Quick promise:
By the end of this guide, you’ll use “who” and “whom” with confidence—no second-guessing.
What’s the Difference?
| Word | Role | Example |
| Who | Subject (does the action) | Who is calling you? |
| Whom | Object (receives the action) | To whom should I address this? |
When to Use “Who”
Use “who” when the person is doing the action.
Examples:
- Who made this cake?
- Who is coming over?
- Do you know who called?
When to Use “Whom”
Use “whom” when the person receives the action.
Examples:
- Whom did you invite?
- To whom should I send this?
- With whom are you speaking?
Quick Trick to Remember
- If you can replace it with he/she, use who.
(He made this → Who made this?) - If you can replace it with him/her, use whom.
(Give it to him → To whom should I give it?)
Using “Whom” in Relative Clauses
Use “whom” when it connects a clause and acts as the object.
Examples:
- The person whom you met yesterday is my colleague.
- That’s the author whom the critics praised.
“With Who” vs. “With Whom”
- Correct (formal): With whom are you going?
- Common in speech: Who are you going with?
Tip: In formal writing, always use “whom” after prepositions like with, to, for. In casual speech, “who” is often used instead, and that’s widely accepted.
Easy Tricks to Tell the Difference
1. Swap with “He” or “Him”
- If “he/she/they” fits → use who
- If “him/her/them” fits → use whom
Examples:
- ___ is going to the store? → He is going… → Who
- You met ___ yesterday? → You met him… → Whom
2. Check the Verb’s Subject
- Who = subject (does the action)
- Whom = object (receives the action or follows a preposition)
Examples of “Who”
- Who wants to join us for lunch?
- Do you know who finished the report?
- Can you tell me who is responsible?
Examples of “Whom”
- Whom did they hire?
- She’s the person to whom we gave the award.
- The teacher, with whom I spoke, agreed.
Examples with Both
- Who do you think will hire whom?
- Do you know who won and whom they beat?
Final Tip:
Use the “he/him” trick to double-check. In formal writing, go with whom when it’s the object. In speech, who is often fine—but knowing the difference strengthens your grammar.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between “who” and “whom” is a simple way to boost the quality of your communication. At Belekar Sir’s Academy, we believe it’s details like these that set your writing and speaking apart, especially in academic and professional settings. Keep practicing, use the easy tests we’ve shared, and soon you’ll never hesitate over “who” or “whom” again.
FAQs on “Who” vs “Whom”
Can you start a sentence with “whom”?
Yes. Example:
Whom did you see at the event?
Is it wrong to always use “who”?
Not in casual speech—most people do. But in formal writing, using “whom” correctly shows strong grammar.
What about questions like “Who do you trust?”
Technically, it should be “Whom do you trust?” (you trust him). Still, “Who do you trust?” is widely accepted in everyday use.
Mini Quiz: Who or Whom?
Fill in the blanks:
- ___ left their bag on the table?
- To ___ did you send the invitation?
- I wonder ___ will be chosen.
- ___ are you going to call?
- The woman ___ you met is my aunt.
Answers:
Who, Whom, Who, Whom, Whom
Quick Reference Chart
| Use | Rule | Example |
| Who | Subject (does the action) | Who is knocking? |
| Whom | Object (receives the action) | To whom did you speak? |
Handling Complex Sentences
Break them into parts. Find the verb and ask:
Who does what to whom?
Example:
The manager, who said the project would finish early, congratulated the team whom she selected.
- Who = subject (does the action)
- Whom = object (receives the action)
Use the he/him test to be sure.
In formal writing, getting this right sets your work apart. Bookmark this guide so you’re always confident with “who” vs. “whom.”
Belekar Sir is the founder and lead instructor at Belekar Sir’s Academy, a trusted name in English language education. With over a decade of teaching experience, he has helped thousands of students—from beginners to advanced learners—develop fluency, confidence, and real-world communication skills. Known for his practical teaching style and deep understanding of learner needs, Belekar Sir is passionate about making English accessible and empowering for everyone. When he’s not teaching, he’s creating resources and guides to support learners on their journey to mastering spoken English.
