whom to save

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whom to save" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing choices or decisions regarding who should be rescued or helped. Example: "In the emergency situation, the team had to quickly decide whom to save first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Whom to save, whom to ignore.

The New York Times

The prosecution contended that Hardy had been arrested in his bert, near Chalons, by the Gestapo, to whom, to save himself from torture, he sold the news of a coming secret meeting of Resistance chiefs.

The New Yorker

In games, making the right choice is often a matter of luck; it's only when we get further on in a game like The Walking Dead that we can see whether the choice we made about whom to sacrifice or whom to save was a good one.

The Guardian - Tech

Perhaps because of the fickle audience voting on "American Idol," Fox's dance competition "So You Think You Can Dance" is leaving little to chance: the judges choose their least favorite six performers, and then the public is allowed to vote on whom to save in that group.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Of course progressives, many of whom lobbied to save highway spending, should be pleased that we didn't go over the transportation cliff, which would have cost over 700,000 construction jobs according to the Transportation Department.

Huffington Post

Predestination, in Christianity, the doctrine that God has eternally chosen those whom he intends to save.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The poem goes on to say that those whom Zeus chooses to save from great storms are truly blessed and "lucky without compare".

The Guardian

Directed by Steve Carr (PG, 81 minutes.) Mr. Murphy returns as a San Francisco physician with the amazing ability to communicate with animals, a group of whom enlist him to save their forest habitat from an evil lumber company.

The New York Times

This made him attractive to women, for whom the chance to save him from his own self-destructive habits proved an irresistible attraction of which Nick took full advantage and for which he rarely forgave them.

The Guardian - Film

B3 Mother and Son Die in Fire An 82-year-old woman and her bedridden son, whom she tried to save, died in a fire that swept through the family's home in Nassau County, the authorities said.

The New York Times

"We take strong exception to criticisms of the Deepwater Horizon drill crew, nine of whom perished fighting to save their fellow crew members and the rig, for the actions they took in the face of such an unprecedented emergency," he said in a statement.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When faced with ethical dilemmas involving resource allocation, use "whom to save" to explicitly acknowledge the difficult choice of prioritizing individuals for rescue or assistance.

Common error

Avoid using "who" in place of "whom" when it functions as the object of a verb or preposition. While colloquial usage often substitutes "who", maintaining "whom" in formal writing ensures grammatical correctness and precision in phrases like "whom to save".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whom to save" functions as an infinitive phrase acting as a noun, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct. The examples show it used to express choices in difficult situations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "whom to save" is a grammatically correct way to express a challenging decision regarding the selection of individuals for rescue or assistance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While less common in everyday speech, it's appropriate for formal writing, particularly when emphasizing ethical dilemmas or difficult choices. It is important to note the distinction between "who" and "whom", using "whom" as the object of the verb "save". While phrases like "who to save" are common, using "whom to save" demonstrates greater precision. The phrase appears in contexts like news reports, encyclopedias, and online resources, indicating its usage in discussing real-world scenarios and ethical considerations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Who to rescue

Replaces "whom" with "who", simplifying the grammatical structure while maintaining similar meaning.

Who to save

Replaces "whom" with "who", simplifying the grammatical structure while maintaining similar meaning.

Whom to rescue first

Adds a sense of prioritization to the act of saving.

Which people to save

Specifies "people" and uses "which" instead of "whom", clarifying the selection process.

Whom should be saved

Transforms the phrase into a passive question, focusing on the recipients of the action.

Who should be saved

Transforms the phrase into a passive question, using "who" instead of "whom".

Whom do we save

Transforms the phrase into a direct question, emphasizing the act of choosing.

Which individuals to save

Emphasizes the individual nature of the people being rescued.

Whom to give priority to

Shifts the focus to prioritization and implies saving through allocation of resources.

Who deserves to be saved

Introduces a moral dimension, implying a judgment of worthiness for rescue.

FAQs

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

"Whom to save" is grammatically correct when "whom" is the object of the verb "save". "Who to save" is often used in informal contexts, but "whom to save" maintains formal grammatical accuracy.

When should I use "whom to save" in a sentence?

Use "whom to save" when discussing decisions about which individuals should be rescued or helped, especially in formal writing or when grammatical precision is important. For instance, "The rescuers faced the difficult decision of whom to save first".

Are there alternative phrases I can use instead of "whom to save"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "who to rescue", "which people to save", or "who should be saved", depending on the specific context and level of formality.

How can I ensure I'm using "whom to save" correctly?

To ensure correct usage, identify the object of the verb "save". If the person being saved is the object, "whom" is appropriate. If unsure, rephrase the sentence to use "who" with a different grammatical structure, such as "who should be saved".