Download Who/Whom - Academics

Background
 Subject—the thing that performs the action
 Verb—describes an action or occurrence
 Object—the thing that is acted upon
 Example: Martha threw the ball.
 Subject=Martha
 Verb=threw
 Object=ball
Who
 “Who” is a noun
 It is used when referring to a subject
 It is the subject of the verb
Examples of “Who”
 Who knocked on the door?
 Subject=who
 Verb=knocked
 Object=door
 Martha is the girl who works in the library.
 Subject=Martha/who
 Verb=works
Whom
 “Whom” is also a noun
 It is used when referring to an object
 It is NOT the subject of the verb
Examples of “Whom”
 With whom do you drive to school?
 Subject=you
 Verb=drive
 Object=whom
 Whom did they look for?
 Subject=they
 Verb=look
 Object=whom
Shortcuts
 If you are unsure if you should use who or whom,
try replacing it with he or him.
 If the sentence makes sense with he, then use who:
 He went to the store=Who went to the store?
 If the sentence makes sense with him, then use
whom:
 That book belongs to him=That book belongs to
whom?
Practice
Insert who or whom in the blanks to complete the
sentences:
 ________ went to the store?
 She went with _______ to the dance?
 To ______ does that shirt belong?
 Please check to see _______ is at the front door.
 Last time we went out, with _______ did you carpool?
 _____ is your babysitter?
Answers
 Who went to the store?
 She went with whom to the dance?
 To whom does that shirt belong?
 Please check to see who is at the front door.
 Last time we went out, with whom did you carpool?
 Who is your babysitter?
Further Practice
 For more examples and practice, see:
 Grammar Girl
 Grammar Rules
 Grammar Monster