Who vs. Whom: A Perplexing Dilemma

Understanding the Difference

Often in conversation, we stumble upon the age-old question of when to use who versus whom. This grammatical quandary can leave even the most experienced writers scratching their heads.

When to Use ‘Who’

When faced with the decision of whether to use ‘who’ or ‘whom’, it’s important to consider the function of the word in the sentence. ‘Who’ is used as the subject of a sentence, while ‘whom’ is used as the object.

For example, in the sentence “Who is coming to the party?”, ‘Who’ is the subject of the sentence, as it is performing the action of coming. On the other hand, in the sentence “To whom should I address this letter?”, ‘whom’ is the indirect object of the verb ‘address’.

When to Use ‘Whom’

Now, let’s delve into the use of ‘whom’. As mentioned earlier, ‘whom’ is used as the object of a sentence. This means that ‘whom’ is used when the person is receiving an action rather than performing it.

Consider the sentence “Whom did you invite to the event?”. In this case, ‘whom’ is the direct object of the verb ‘invite’, as it is the person being invited.

Common Confusions

Despite the clear rules for using ‘who’ and ‘whom’, many people still find themselves confused. This confusion may stem from the fact that ‘whom’ is gradually falling out of favor in everyday conversation.

However, it is important to remember that ‘whom’ is still necessary in formal writing and grammatically correct sentences.

Final Thoughts

So, the next time you find yourself pondering whether to use ‘who’ or ‘whom’, remember the simple rule: ‘who’ is used as the subject, while ‘whom’ is used as the object. Keep this in mind, and you’ll be able to navigate the tricky waters of the English language with ease.

For more tips on navigating the complexities of grammar, check out EditMojo.