about whom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about whom" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal contexts when referring to a person in relation to whom something is being said or asked. Example: "She is the author about whom everyone is talking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Who was talking about whom?

The New Yorker

About whom is Miller speaking?

The New Yorker

Think about whom you want to interview.

The Guardian

The essay is also very clear about whom it's targeting.

The New Yorker

Others are now more careful about whom they welcome.

The Economist

Reasonable people may disagree about whom to blame.

The Economist

We catch glimpses of Copernicus, about whom little is known.

The New York Times - Books

Ms. Dobson doesn't seem calculating about whom she evokes.

The New York Times - Arts

We have to be realistic about whom we're dealing with.

The New Yorker

He was discerning about whom to embrace, when and how.

The New York Times

The organization is strict about whom it will help.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "about whom" in formal writing and speech when you want to emphasize the person being referred to as the object of the preposition. It maintains a level of grammatical correctness often preferred in academic or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "who" instead of "whom" after the preposition "about". "Whom" is the objective case pronoun and is grammatically correct in the phrase "about whom". Using "who" in this context is a common error, particularly in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about whom" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a relative clause. It modifies a noun by providing additional information about a person who has already been mentioned. It indicates that the person is the object of the preposition "about", as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "about whom" is a grammatically correct and formal way to introduce a relative clause, indicating that the person is the object of the preposition "about". As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's commonly used in formal writing, especially in news, media, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. While alternatives like "regarding whom" or "concerning whom" exist, "about whom" maintains a level of precision suitable for professional and academic settings. Remember to use "whom" instead of "who" after the preposition "about" to avoid common grammatical errors. With over 50 examples available, Ludwig can greatly assist you in understanding this usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding whom

Replaces "about" with "regarding", maintaining a formal tone but slightly altering the focus.

concerning whom

Substitutes "about" with "concerning", offering a more formal and detached tone.

in relation to whom

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the relationship, increasing formality and precision.

with respect to whom

Adds a layer of respect or consideration, suitable for formal or sensitive contexts.

in connection with whom

Highlights a link or association with the person, emphasizing the connection.

of whom

A more concise and grammatically traditional formulation, often found in older texts.

as regards whom

A less common but still valid alternative, emphasizing the aspect being considered.

pertaining to whom

A more formal alternative, suggesting a direct relevance or connection.

relative to whom

Focuses on the position or perspective in relation to the person.

on the subject of whom

Introduces the person as the topic of discussion, suitable for formal settings.

FAQs

How can I use "about whom" in a sentence?

Use "about whom" to introduce a relative clause where "whom" is the object of the preposition "about". For example, "She is the author "about whom" everyone is talking".

Is it correct to say "about who" instead of "about whom"?

While "about who" might be heard in informal speech, "about whom" is grammatically correct in formal writing. "Whom" is the objective case of "who" and is appropriate after a preposition.

What are some alternatives to "about whom"?

You can use alternatives like "regarding whom", "concerning whom", or "in relation to whom", depending on the desired level of formality.

When should I use "about whom" versus other similar phrases?

Use "about whom" in formal contexts when you want to clearly and grammatically correctly indicate that the person is the object of the preposition "about". Simpler phrases like "who" might be acceptable in informal conversation.