whom we lost

USAGE SUMMARY

'whom we lost' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to someone who has died or been lost in some other way. For example: We remember with sadness the people whom we lost in the tragedy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I adored my mother, whom we lost last year at the age of 92.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We are responding to Ken McBrayer, Herman Sandler, Chris Quackenbush and the other 66 men and women of Sandler O'Neill whom we lost much too soon.

The New York Times

Her art is a vibrant and pulsing reminder of the woman, the mother, the generous and benevolent spirit, and most of all, the artist whom we lost.

The New York Times

"Those whom we lost last Sept. 11 will forever hold a cherished place in our hearts and in the history of our nation," Mr. Bush said.

The New York Times

It was impossible for Lady Gaga to celebrate music at the Grammys tonight without referencing one of its greatest talents and one of her chief inspirations, whom we lost this year.

Independent

"Frankly," one participant said, "from a military point of view, the penalty, 2,400 brave Americans whom we lost, 3,000 in an hour and 15 minutes, is relative".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Like those unwelcome strangers in Pinter's early work, Don is the catalyst for many levels of distress, and Suzy is a good girl who wants to be bad, and whom we lose interest in early on, because of Ferrer's lack of vocal control.

The New Yorker

"If privacy vs freedom of expression issues are simply reduced to who is sleeping with whom, we lose sight of the more important cases where there is a real need for whistle-blowing, and acceptable breaches of privacy where there is a strong public interest".

Independent

"And we will, in the memory of those whom we have lost".

The New York Times

I hope that we will re-examine our commitment to those whom we've lost and find justice instead in combating hatred and violence wherever they are found.

The New York Times

Mr. Levinson expresses a common worry: that by having a longer presidential term, we may be left with a president in whom we have lost confidence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "whom we lost" to refer to a group of people, especially when emphasizing a collective sense of loss or remembrance. For instance, in memorial speeches or historical accounts, this phrase can add a touch of formality and respect.

Common error

Avoid mistakenly using "who" instead of "whom" in formal writing. "Whom" is the object of a verb or preposition, while "who" is the subject. If you're unsure, try replacing "whom" with "him/her/them" to see if it fits grammatically.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whom we lost" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun (typically people) and indicating a past loss, often death. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "whom we lost" is a grammatically correct and relatively formal way to refer to individuals who have died or are otherwise lost. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its usage is considered appropriate in written English. While less common in everyday speech, it is frequently found in news reports, formal addresses, and memorial contexts, making it a versatile phrase for expressing remembrance and loss. Keep in mind the importance of "whom" versus "who" in maintaining grammatical accuracy, and consider the context to determine the most appropriate phrasing for your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

those we have lost

Changes the word order while maintaining the same core meaning.

those who are gone

Uses a simpler and more direct way to express loss.

our lost ones

Emphasizes the personal connection and sense of bereavement.

those who passed away

Replaces "whom we lost" with a more gentle and euphemistic expression.

the ones we have mourned

Focuses on the act of grieving for those who are gone.

those no longer with us

Offers a sensitive way to refer to deceased individuals.

those we remember

Highlights the act of keeping the memory of the lost alive.

the departed

Uses a formal and concise term for those who have died.

the deceased

Employs a formal term often used in legal or official contexts.

the victims

Emphasizes the tragic nature of their loss, often used in the context of disasters or violence.

FAQs

How can I use "whom we lost" in a sentence?

The phrase "whom we lost" is used to refer to people who have died or been lost. For example: "We honor the soldiers "whom we lost" in the war."

Is it always necessary to use "whom" instead of "who"?

While "whom" is technically correct in certain grammatical contexts, it is becoming less common in informal speech and writing. However, in formal writing, using "whom" demonstrates attention to grammatical precision.

What's a more modern or informal way to say "whom we lost"?

In less formal contexts, you could say "those "who we lost"" or "the people "that we lost"". These options are more common in everyday conversation.

Can "whom we lost" be used to refer to things, or only people?

"Whom" is exclusively used to refer to people. To refer to lost objects or abstract concepts, use "that" or "which."