Who vs Whom Use Questions Example Sentences

People often get confused between the use of who and whom. Even native English speakers struggle with it. This article will walk you through the meaning, basic rules, questions, example sentences, use of who and whom, and common mistakes in the use of who vs whom.

Who vs Whom

What’s the Difference?

Who	Whom
Used as a subject of a sentence? (he/she/it)	Used as an object of a sentence. (him/her/them)
Fiona is the one who helped. ‘Who’ is doing the action, helping?	Whom did Fiona help? ‘Whom’ receives the action being helped.

Definition and Basic Rules: Who vs Whom.

Who

• ‘Who’ is used for the subject of a sentence.
• ‘Who’ is the performer of the action.
• We use pronouns he, she, they for ‘who’.

For example:

• That man who ate the bread was hungry.
• The girl who studied hard passed the exams.
• She is the one who shouts in class. (In this sentence, ‘who’ is referred to as a subject).

More example sentences with ‘who’.

• I wonder who left his keys here.
• Who is that girl?
• The boy who called me is my friend.

Whom

• ‘Whom’ is the object of a sentence.
• ‘Whom’ is the receiver of the action.
• We use pronouns him, her, them for ‘whom’.

For example:

• Whom are we supposed to call in this situation?
• Whom did you give the parcel?

Use of Who and Whom

Who	Whom
To ask something about the subject. Who will clean the room?	To ask about the object. Whom should I ask?
We add it as a clause to give more information. Mona is a girl who likes painting.	To give more information about the object, add a relative clause. He is the man whom I trust.
To ask the name of a person. Who is the man at the door?	To ask an indirect question. She asked me, whom I called after lunch.

Quick Check: Who vs Whom

He/She vs Him/ Her

When you can answer a question by using he or she, use who.

• Who is laughing? She is laughing. (Use – who)

When you can answer any question with him/ her. (Use whom)

• To whom are you listening?

“I am listening to her.” (Use whom as you used her in the answer)

Common Mistakes: Who vs Whom

Right: Who is jumping on the bed?

Wrong: Whom is jumping on the bed?

Explanation: who is correct because it’s the subject of the verb jumping.

Right: To whom are you giving the chocolates?

Wrong: To who are you giving the chocolates?

Explanation: Whom is correct because it’s the object of the verb giving.

Example Sentences with Whom.

In Questions

1. Whom do you think will win the match?
2. To whom did you give your bag?
3. Whom did you show the pictures to yesterday?

After Prepositions.

1. The girl with whom I sat was caring.
2. He is the driver from whom I learned to drive.
3. The girl with whom John was fighting is her friend.

In Relative Clauses.

1. The teacher, whom everyone likes, is in the hospital.
2. The boy, whom teachers praise, won the competition.
3. She is the writer whom readers appreciate.

Example Sentences with Who

In Questions

1. Who is singing outside my room?
2. Who wants to eat pizza?
3. Who will win the match?
4. Who is your class teacher?
5. Who read that book?

In Sentences

1. He is the man who feeds the dog.
2. I met a girl who knows German.
3. The woman who gave you a sweater is my sister.
4. He is the boy who came first in class.
5. They are the people who rescued the dog.

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