Grammar Basics: How to Use “Whom”

Whom is one of the most confusing pronouns. Many people wonder how to use it. Is it a subject? Is it an object? Here are the simple answers.

Whom is not a subject.

Whom can be the direct object of a verb.

Whom did the waiter serve first? (The waiter served whom first?)

Whom is also used in a relative clause that describes a noun that is an object.

The company hired the musician whom I recommended.

Whom can serve as the object of a preposition.

With whom does Belinda plan to go to the dance?
The man from whom Alexis received the letter works at the supermarket.

In casual speech and writing, people usually use who even when whom is technically correct. If you are still a little confused, try the substitution trick to determine whether to use who or whom. Mentally answer whom questions with the pronouns “him” or “her.”

To whom does this pen belong? The pen belongs to him. This response makes sense, so whom is correct.

Whom is coming to the party on Saturday? Her is coming. This reply does not sound right. You should replace whom with who.

If you are still unsure, you are not alone. Not many people have a good mastery of this puzzling pronoun. Read about why it’s so hard to master in “Why Do So Many People Incorrectly Use Whom?”

The post Grammar Basics: How to Use “Whom” appeared first on Grammarly Blog.

from Grammarly Blog
http://www.grammarly.com/blog/2016/grammar-basics-how-to-use-whom/