by whom

USAGE SUMMARY

"by whom" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to ask questions about the person who performed a particular action. For example: "By whom was the report written?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Where and by whom?

The New York Times

And filled by whom?

The Economist

MADISON: By whom?

The New Yorker

Devised by whom?

The New Yorker

Needed by whom?

The New York Times

Paid for by whom?

The New York Times - Magazine

But victimized by whom?

The New York Times - Sports

"By whom?" "By you".

The New Yorker

But by whom?

The New York Times

By whom, we don't know".

The New York Times

By whom, may I ask?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer "by whom" in questions where a formal tone is appropriate, such as in academic papers, legal documents, or journalistic reports.

Common error

Avoid using "by whom" in casual conversation or informal writing; opt for simpler alternatives like "who" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by whom" serves as an interrogative prepositional phrase, used to inquire about the agent performing an action. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is commonly used in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by whom" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase employed to inquire about the agent of an action, primarily in formal contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is common in news, formal writing, and encyclopedic sources. When writing, it is important to use "by whom" in formal settings and simpler alternatives like "who" in casual conversations. When the pronoun is the object of a preposition, use "by whom" instead of "who". The phrase is widely recognized and accepted in formal English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

who was responsible

Focuses on accountability for the action.

by what person

Emphasizes the individual responsible, suitable for formal contexts.

who is the author

Directly seeks the creator or originator.

through whose agency

Highlights the role of the agent, typically used in formal or legal contexts.

who carried out this

Focuses on the execution of the action.

at whose hands

Implies action performed directly by the specified person, often with a negative connotation.

from which source

Shifts focus to the origin rather than the actor, suitable when the source is more important than the individual.

who perpetrated this

Used when the action is negative or harmful.

by what authority

Focuses on the authorization or permission behind an action.

who did it

A more direct and informal way of asking who performed the action.

FAQs

How to use "by whom" in a sentence?

Use "by whom" to inquire about the agent of an action, typically in formal contexts. For example, "By whom was this book written?"

What can I say instead of "by whom" in informal settings?

In informal contexts, you can use alternatives like "who did this" or simply "who".

Which is correct, "by whom" or "by who"?

"By whom" is grammatically correct in formal English, as "whom" is the objective case of "who". "By who" is generally considered incorrect in formal writing.

When should I use "by whom" instead of "who"?

Use "by whom" when the pronoun is the object of a preposition, such as "by". In cases where the pronoun is the subject, use "who". For example, "Who wrote the letter?" (subject) vs. "By whom was the letter written?" (object of 'by').