whom you

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whom you" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where "whom" serves as the object of a verb or preposition, typically in more formal writing. Example: "She is the person whom you should contact for further information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The answer depends upon whom you ask.

The Complete Business Process Handbook Body of Knowledge from Process Modeling to BPM, Volume I

Be careful whom you trust.

The New York Times

It depends whom you ask.

The New York Times

Depends on whom you ask.

The New York Times

That depends whom you ask.

The New Yorker

Whom you know.

The Washington Post

(Answer: it depends on whom you ask).

The New York Times

"The rules are 'Grab whom you must.

The New Yorker

Our budget depends on whom you ask.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

With whom should you work?

Managing the Drug Discovery Process How to Make It More Efficient and Cost-Effective

Whom do you trust?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "whom you", ensure it grammatically functions as the object of a verb or preposition to maintain formal correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "who" in place of "whom" when the pronoun acts as the object in a sentence; "whom" is grammatically correct in formal writing. Remember that while "who" is increasingly accepted in informal contexts, "whom" maintains precision in formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whom you" typically functions as a relative pronoun introducing a relative clause, where "whom" acts as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig examples show it in varied sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

27%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "whom you" is grammatically correct and widely used, as confirmed by Ludwig. It primarily functions as a relative pronoun in formal contexts, identifying individuals related to the addressee. While the use of "who you" is increasingly common in informal settings, sticking with "whom you" adds a touch of precision to your writing. Remember that this expression appears across diverse authoritative sources, including news outlets and scientific publications. By understanding the grammatical role, communicative purpose, and formality level, you can confidently use "whom you" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

who you

Replaces "whom" with "who", making it less formal but grammatically acceptable in many modern contexts.

those whom you

Emphasizes a more formal and collective reference to individuals.

the person you

Substitutes "whom" with a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the individual being referred to.

those that you

Uses "that" instead of "whom", simplifying the grammar while maintaining a similar meaning.

the people you

Shifts the focus to a plural subject, indicating multiple individuals related to "you".

the one you

Singular reference, focusing on a specific individual known to "you".

the individuals you

A more formal substitute, useful in professional or academic contexts.

anyone you

Broadens the scope to include any individual connected to "you".

someone you

Refers to an unspecified person related to "you".

persons you

Another alternative, emphasizing a formal context.

FAQs

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

Use "whom" when the pronoun is the object of a verb or preposition. For example, "To "whom it may concern"" is correct because "whom" is the object of the preposition "to".

Is it acceptable to use "who you" instead of "whom you"?

In informal contexts, "who you" is often acceptable and widely used. However, in formal writing, it's more grammatically correct to use "whom you" when "whom" is the object of a verb or preposition.

What are some alternatives to "whom you" in formal writing?

You can use phrases like "the person "that you"", "the individual "that you"", or rephrase the sentence to avoid the need for "whom" altogether.

How can I determine if "whom" is the correct pronoun to use?

If you can replace "whom" with "him" or "her" and the sentence still makes sense, then "whom" is the correct choice. For example, in "The person whom you saw," you can rephrase it as "You saw him/her," confirming that "whom" is appropriate.