at whom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at whom" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used as an interrogative pronoun to ask a question about the object of a preposition. For example: "At whom are you looking?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At whom is it aimed?

Independent

At whom?

The Guardian - Sport

Plantadit throws chairs, but at whom?

The New Yorker

Fire at whom?

The Guardian - Opinion

I don't know who shot at whom.

The Guardian

At whom do we direct our outrage?

The New Yorker

At whom was Mr. Wang's call for reform aimed?

The New York Times

You didn't know who was shooting at whom".

The New Yorker

Who, the work seemed to say, was looking at whom?

Encyclopedia Britannica

At whom were the attacks aimed, according to the article?

The New York Times

"Often it's hard to tell who is shooting at whom.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at whom" in formal writing and when you want to emphasize the direction of an action or emotion towards a specific person. It is particularly useful in questions where the preposition must precede the relative pronoun.

Common error

Avoid ending sentences with "at" when using "at whom". Rephrase the sentence to ensure the preposition is correctly placed before "whom", maintaining grammatical correctness and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at whom" functions as an interrogative prepositional phrase. It is used to inquire about the person who is the object of the preposition 'at'. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to ask who is being targeted or affected by an action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at whom" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed interrogative prepositional phrase. It serves to identify the target of an action or emotion. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is most appropriate for formal contexts such as news reports, academic papers, and professional communications, due to its precision. While alternatives like "to whom" exist, "at whom" retains its value when the preposition "at" is integral to the meaning. When writing, ensure the preposition is correctly placed before "whom" to maintain grammatical correctness. The phrase enjoys widespread use, particularly in news and media, and is less common in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to whom

Replaces "at whom" with a more common prepositional phrase for directing an action or question.

towards whom

Indicates directionality, similar to "at whom" but emphasizes the movement or focus towards a person.

who is the target of

Breaks down the phrase to specify the recipient as the target of an action, making it more explicit.

whom is it aimed at

Reorders the phrase to emphasize the action being aimed and then inquires about the recipient.

who is the object of

Identifies the person as the object of an action or feeling, providing a clearer definition.

to which person

Formal alternative that specifies a person as the recipient, suitable for formal contexts.

regarding whom

Shifts the focus to considering a person in relation to something, indicating a topic of discussion.

concerning whom

Similar to "regarding whom", this emphasizes the topic or subject being about a specific person.

in relation to whom

Highlights the connection or association between something and a particular person.

with respect to whom

Indicates consideration or reference to a person, often used in formal or legal contexts.

FAQs

How do you use "at whom" in a sentence?

"At whom" is used to ask a question about the person who is the object of a preposition. For instance, "At whom were the accusations directed?" or "At whom should I address this concern?".

Is it correct to start a sentence with "at whom"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a question with "at whom", especially in formal writing. For example, "At whom do we direct our complaints?".

What's the difference between "to whom" and "at whom"?

"To whom" generally indicates the recipient or beneficiary of something, while "at whom" implies direction or focus of an action. Use "to whom" when referring to who receives something, and "at whom" when indicating who is being targeted or addressed. In many cases, "to whom" can be a more versatile and common alternative.

Are there situations where "at whom" is preferred over other alternatives?

Yes. In very formal contexts, particularly when the preposition "at" is crucial to the meaning, "at whom" is preferred. This often occurs when the preposition needs to precede the relative pronoun in a question or formal statement, and other alternatives might sound less precise.