whom to appoint

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whom to appoint" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the selection of a person for a position or role, particularly in formal contexts. Example: "The committee is still deliberating on whom to appoint as the new director."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

"Since October 2014, the prime minister has been able to choose whom to appoint to a permanent secretary job, from a list of appointable candidates," the report said.

The Guardian

Officials took orders from the church about whom to appoint to government jobs.

The Washington Post

Mr. Otter said Saturday that he had not decided whom to appoint.

The New York Times

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

The Guardian

Mr. Browne said that Mr. Kelly had sought input from a "wide variety of people" on whom to appoint.

The New York Times

"Fatah and Hamas are lying".We want our own manNegotiators are still arguing over whom to appoint as prime minister.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Mr. Demirel must decide whom next to appoint as Prime Minister-designate.

The New York Times

The economist Peter Diamond, whom we tried to appoint to the Federal Reserve, has calculations suggesting that the top tax rate should be 73 percent.

The New York Times

He said that the public editor, whom he intended to appoint by early fall, would report directly to him, with "a guarantee" of access to the publisher.

The New York Times

Next, there was no one in the administration party whom I wished to appoint.

Wikipedia

Instead you have to appoint managers you trust, and they in turn have to appoint others whom they trust.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "whom to appoint", ensure the context is formal and the selection process is deliberate. This phrase is most appropriate when discussing official or significant roles.

Common error

A common mistake is using "who" instead of "whom" in formal contexts. Remember that "whom" is the objective case, used when the person is receiving the action, not performing it. If you can replace "whom" with "him/her", then it's correct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whom to appoint" functions as an infinitive phrase acting as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies the subject of deliberation or decision-making regarding a selection process. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "whom to appoint" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating a decision-making process about selecting someone for a role. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is common in news, wiki, and formal business contexts, suggesting a broad applicability across various registers, with a leaning towards more formal communication. While the technical correctness of "whom" should be considered, its practical usage is well-established, as shown by numerous examples from authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

who to select

Uses a more general term for choosing, suitable for various contexts.

who to designate

Replaces 'appoint' with a more formal term suggesting official assignment.

who should be chosen

Introduces a modal verb to express advisability or necessity.

who to nominate

Suggests a preliminary selection for consideration.

who to name

Emphasizes the act of formally identifying a person for a role.

who to assign

Implies a task or responsibility is being given to someone.

who to elect

Specifically refers to a selection process involving voting.

whose appointment to make

Rephrases the sentence structure to emphasize the act of making an appointment.

selection of personnel

Focuses on the overall process of selecting individuals.

determination of appointee

Shifts the focus to the decision-making process regarding the appointee.

FAQs

How can I use "whom to appoint" in a sentence?

You can use "whom to appoint" when discussing decisions about selecting someone for a role, such as: "The committee is debating "whom to appoint" as the new director."

Is it correct to use "who to appoint" instead of "whom to appoint"?

While "who" is often used informally, "whom" is grammatically correct in formal writing when referring to the object of the verb or preposition. Using ""whom to appoint"" maintains a higher level of formality and grammatical precision.

What are some alternative phrases to "whom to appoint"?

Alternatives include "who to select", "who to designate", or "who to nominate", depending on the specific context and level of formality desired.

What is the difference between "whom to appoint" and "who to appoint"?

"Whom" is the object pronoun, appropriate when it receives the action. Thus, ""whom to appoint"" is technically correct in formal usage. However, "who" is often used in informal settings, even when "whom" would be grammatically precise.