whom

USAGE SUMMARY

The word “whom” is correct and usable in written English.
It is used as the object of a preposition or verb. For example: To whom it may concern.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But by whom?

The New York Times

But with whom?

The Guardian

Against whom?

The New York Times - Sports

"When he resigns he has got to be able to advise the Queen whom to appoint in his place".

The Guardian

Nor did any of our colleagues with whom I have spoken.

The Guardian

Prospective managers are apparently being unnerved by PSG's long-term interest in the Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, whom they still hope to hire at the end of his contract next summer.

The Guardian - Sport

It's not people with experience in banking or business whom Labour desperately needs, but people who know how to build a political movement from the bottom up.

The Guardian - Opinion

But instead of feeling vindication, or at least relief for having told their stories, some of these women are now filled with dread, because Kevin Donovan – the Toronto Star investigative reporter with whom I reported the allegations against Ghomeshi – is writing a "tell-tale, behind the scenes" book about Ghomeshi's "secret life".

The Guardian - Opinion

The only manager standing now between Alex Neil and the Premier League is Middlesbrough's Aitor Karanka, whose preparations for next week's Championship play-off final will probably involve consulting his friend José Mourinho, to whom he used to be assistant manager at Real Madrid.

The Guardian - Sport

Inside were four armed SS men, one of whom – an Untersturmführer, or second lieutenant, was shouting and swearing at him.

The Guardian

Importantly for Clark he now carries nothing like the weight of expectation he had at Melbourne, for whom – no matter what anyone says of his departure – he always tried valiantly.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whom" when it is the object of a verb or preposition in formal writing. If you're unsure, try replacing "whom" with "him" or "her"; if it fits, "whom" is correct.

Common error

Avoid using "whom" when "who" is grammatically correct. "Who" is used when referring to the subject of a sentence, while "whom" is used for the object. Simplify your sentences if unsure.

Linguistic Context

"Whom" functions as an interrogative or relative pronoun. It is used to refer to the object of a verb or preposition, requiring careful attention to sentence structure. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Whom" is a pronoun used as the object of a verb or preposition, primarily in formal contexts. Though often replaced by "who" in modern usage, understanding its proper application demonstrates strong grammatical proficiency. Ludwig AI highlights that "whom" is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media. To ensure correct usage, remember to use "whom" when you can replace it with "him" or "her". Be mindful of common errors, such as confusing it with "who", which functions as the subject of a sentence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to whom

More formal and precise prepositional phrase.

of whom

Indicates possession or a part of a group.

the person whom

Adds specificity by explicitly identifying a person.

the individual whom

Uses a more formal term for person.

who

Less formal alternative, suitable for general use, though grammatically distinct.

the one whom

Emphasizes singularity and selection.

the party whom

Formal and often used in legal or official contexts.

which person

Replaces "whom" with a more descriptive, though less concise, phrase.

what person

Similar to "which person" but slightly more direct.

that person

Substitutes "whom" with a more casual relative pronoun.

FAQs

How do I decide whether to use "who" or "whom"?

Use "who" when the pronoun is the subject of the clause and "whom" when it is the object of a verb or preposition. If you can replace it with "him" or "her", use "whom"; otherwise, use "who".

Is it correct to use "whom" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, it is correct to use "whom" at the beginning of a sentence, especially in questions where "whom" is the object of a verb or preposition. For example, "To whom should I address this letter?".

What are some common phrases that use "whom"?

Common phrases include "to "whom it may concern"", "by "whom"", "for "whom"", and "with "whom"".

Can I use "who" instead of "whom" in modern English?

While "whom" is technically correct in certain contexts, many people now use "who" in all but the most formal writing or speech. However, using "whom" correctly demonstrates a strong command of grammar.