Using 'Whom' Properly

The English language can be quite complex, and one common area of confusion for many people is the proper use of the word ‘whom’. ‘Whom’ is a pronoun that is used as the object of a verb or preposition in a sentence. While ‘whom’ may seem outdated or archaic, understanding how to use it correctly can elevate your writing and speaking skills. In this article, we will explore the proper usage of ‘whom’ and provide examples to help clarify its correct application.

To understand the correct usage of ‘whom’, it is essential to understand the difference between subjects and objects in a sentence. The subject is the one performing the action, while the object is the receiver of the action. ‘Whom’ is used when referring to the object of a sentence or clause. For instance:

1. “Whom did you invite to the party?”

In this example, ‘whom’ is used as the object of the verb ‘invite’. The person being invited is the receiver of the action, making ‘whom’ the correct choice.

On the other hand, when referring to the subject of a sentence, ‘who’ is used. Consider the following example:

2. “Who will be attending the conference?”

In this case, ‘who’ is the subject of the sentence, as they are the ones attending the conference. If we were to use ‘whom’ instead, it would be incorrect.

One common mistake people make when using ‘whom’ is incorrectly placing it at the beginning of a sentence. It is essential to remember that ‘whom’ should not be used at the start of a sentence as the subject. Instead, it is correctly used as the object in the middle or end of a sentence. For instance:

3. “The award goes to whom?”

In this example, ‘whom’ is correctly used at the end as the object of the preposition ‘to’. Placing ‘who’ instead would result in an incorrect sentence structure.

Moreover, ‘whom’ is often used after prepositions such as ‘to’, ‘for’, ‘with’, ‘about’, and ‘by’ to specify the object of the preposition. Let’s consider the following examples:

4. “To whom should I address the letter?”

In this case, ‘whom’ is the object of the preposition ‘to’. Similarly, in the sentence:

5. “I received a gift from whom?”

‘Whom’ serves as the object of the preposition ‘from’, indicating the person who gave the gift.

When the pronoun ‘whom’ is used, one should also be careful about its correct form and position. When ‘whom’ is attached to a noun or pronoun through the verb, it should always come after the verb. For instance:

6. “He is the person whom I trust.”

In this example, ‘whom’ follows the verb ‘trust’ and is connected to the noun ‘person’.

In conclusion, understanding when and how to use ‘whom’ properly is a valuable skill in English grammar. By recognizing its role as the object of a sentence or preposition, one can elevate their writing and speaking abilities. Remember to use ‘who’ for subjects and ‘whom’ for objects, and be mindful of its correct placement within a sentence. With practice, using ‘whom’ correctly will become second nature, and you will communicate with greater precision and clarity.