those whom

USAGE SUMMARY

'those whom' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a relative pronoun used to refer to people. For example: "Those whom I trust the most are my family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Those whom the gods, etc.

The New Yorker

Those whom I've met love their families.

The New York Times

And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified (Rom. 8 29 30).

Encyclopedia Britannica

He asked for forgiveness from those whom he had betrayed.

The New York Times

They are about those whom the truth cannot set free.

The New Yorker

People usually torture those whom they fear or despise.

The New York Times

But what about those whom it's too late to help?

The New York Times - Books

Those whom God wishes to destroy he drives mad.

The New York Times

"Those whom I've met love their families," he said.

The New York Times

We thank all of those whom we celebrate here.

Independent

"Here in Israel, a 'good' Arab – those whom they don't hate, those whom they accept – is a very humiliated Arab.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "those whom" when referring to people as the object of a verb or preposition to maintain grammatical correctness in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "whom" as the subject of a verb. "Whom" should be used when it is the object of a verb or preposition; otherwise, use "who".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "those whom" functions as a relative pronoun introducing a relative clause. It refers to a specific group of people who are the object of a verb or preposition within that clause. Ludwig indicates that this is a correct construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "those whom" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, particularly in formal contexts, to refer to people as objects within a relative clause. While alternatives like "those who" exist, "those whom" maintains a level of formality suitable for academic, professional, or news-related writing. As Ludwig confirms, the construction is correct, though writers should be mindful of potential confusion with "who" and ensure "whom" is used as an object, not a subject. When in doubt, simplifying the sentence to test the pronoun's function can help ensure correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

those who

More common and less formal alternative using "who" instead of "whom".

people whom

A straightforward alternative, specifying "people" instead of "those".

the people whom

Adds emphasis by specifying "the people" before using "whom".

all those whom

Adds emphasis by specifying "all" before "those whom".

individuals whom

Replaces "those" with "individuals" for a slightly more formal tone.

the persons whom

Uses the word 'persons' which is more formal than 'people'.

the ones whom

Uses "ones" instead of "those", maintaining a similar level of formality.

those that

A simpler alternative using "that" instead of "whom" which is grammatically correct but can be less formal in some contexts.

the individuals to whom

A more formal and precise construction, often used in legal or official contexts.

those to whom

Omits the pronoun and uses preposition to.

FAQs

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

Use "those who" when "who" acts as the subject of a verb. Use "those whom" when "whom" acts as the object of a verb or preposition. For instance, "Those who are diligent succeed," versus, "Those whom we admire inspire us."

Is it correct to use "that" instead of "whom" in the phrase "those whom"?

While grammatically acceptable in certain contexts, using "that" in place of "whom" such as "those that" may sound less formal. It is generally safer to stick with "whom" in formal writing.

How can I avoid mistakes when using "those whom"?

Simplify the sentence to determine whether "who" or "whom" is appropriate. If you can replace "whom" with "him" or "her", then "whom" is correct. If you can replace it with "he" or "she", use "who".

What's the difference between "those whom" and "the people whom"?

Adding "the people" before "whom" provides additional emphasis on the individuals being referred to. "Those whom" is already correct and understandable but "the people whom" may enhance clarity or stress a specific group.