to whom

USAGE SUMMARY

'to whom' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the appropriate party who should receive something. For example: "Please hand in the form to whom it was addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

According to whom?

The Economist

"To whom?" "To me".

The New Yorker

Economic utility to whom?

The New Yorker

But to whom?

The New York Times

Who's connected to whom?

The New Yorker

But according to whom?

The New York Times

Comforting to whom?

The New York Times

But credit to whom?

The New Yorker

Nonessential to whom?

The New Yorker

And to whom?

The New York Times - Books

Concern to whom?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to whom" primarily in formal writing. In informal contexts, "who" is often acceptable (e.g., "Who did you give it to?").

Common error

Avoid using "who" in formal situations where "whom" is grammatically required as the object of a verb or preposition. Double-check the sentence structure to ensure the correct case is used.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to whom" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase introducing a relative clause or question. It identifies the recipient or beneficiary of an action, and according to Ludwig, is considered correct in written English. It indicates the indirect object in a sentence, specifying to whom something is directed or given.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to whom" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the recipient of an action or intention, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most commonly found in formal writing, particularly in news and media contexts, but also appears in wiki and business communications. While its use is generally appropriate in such settings, it's important to distinguish it from "who", which serves as the subject of a sentence. When in doubt, remember that "to whom" functions as the object of a preposition, ensuring its correct application. While grammatically sound, rephrasing to avoid "whom" entirely can sometimes improve clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to which person

This alternative is more explicit in specifying a person as the recipient.

to the addressee

This is a more formal and concise way of indicating the intended recipient.

to the person who

This phrase is slightly more verbose, specifying a person based on a description.

whom should it go to

This alternative presents the phrase as a question.

for whom

This alternative emphasizes benefit or purpose rather than direct reception.

who is the recipient

This alternative uses a noun phrase instead of a prepositional phrase.

towards whom

This alternative suggests direction or orientation.

to whose benefit

This phrase highlights the beneficiary of an action.

for what person

This is a less common, more direct way of asking about the recipient.

with whom

This indicates association or interaction rather than direct reception.

FAQs

How to use "to whom" in a sentence?

Use "to whom" when referring to the object of a verb or preposition in formal writing. For example, "To whom should I address this letter?" or "He is someone to whom I owe a great deal."

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

Use "to whom" when the pronoun is the object of a verb or preposition. If the pronoun is the subject, use "who". A simple test is to replace "who/whom" with "he/him". If "him" fits, use "whom"; if "he" fits, use "who".

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

"Who" functions as the subject of a sentence or clause, while "to whom" functions as the object of a preposition. "To whom did you speak?" uses "to whom" because it's the object of the preposition "to".

Is it always necessary to use "to whom" in formal writing?

While "to whom" is grammatically correct in formal writing, it can sometimes sound stilted. Rewording the sentence to avoid the need for "whom" is often a good alternative, especially when aiming for clarity and conciseness.