with who

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with who" is not considered correct in standard written English. It is typically used in informal speech but should be replaced with "with whom" in formal contexts. Example: "I went to the party with whom I had a great time." Alternative expressions include "with whom" and "with the person."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who's sleeping with who.

The New York Times

"With who?" "No one.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I'm comfortable with who I am".

The New York Times

Away for the weekend with — who?

The New Yorker

"With who?" Fulks asked.

The New Yorker

"Peace with who?" I asked.

The New York Times - Sports

With who won this debate?

The New York Times

"You never know who's connected with who.

The New York Times

You dance with who brought you".

The New York Times

Everyone is comfortable with who they are.

The New York Times

"He's comfortable with who he has".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, always use "with whom" instead of "with who". This demonstrates attention to grammatical correctness and enhances credibility.

Common error

Remember that "who" acts as a subject, while "whom" acts as an object. If you can replace "who/whom" with "he/she", use "who". If you can replace it with "him/her", use "whom".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with who" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically introducing a question or statement about someone involved in an action or situation. However, it's crucial to note, as indicated by Ludwig, that grammatically, "with whom" is the correct form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "with who" is frequently used, particularly in informal contexts and media, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "with whom". As Ludwig highlights, using "with whom" in formal writing shows attention to grammatical correctness. When choosing between "who" and "whom", remember to use "whom" when it functions as the object of a preposition. Despite its common occurrence, aiming for grammatical precision will improve clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with whom

Replaces "who" with the grammatically correct "whom", maintaining the same meaning but adhering to proper English grammar.

together with whom

Adds emphasis on the togetherness or partnership aspect of the relationship.

along with whom

Similar to "together with whom", but implies a sense of following or accompanying.

in company with whom

More formal and literary, suggesting the person is accompanying someone.

accompanied by whom

Formal and emphasizes the role of accompaniment, often used in official reports.

with the person

Simplifies the phrase by replacing the pronoun with a noun, making it less formal but grammatically correct.

with the individual

Similar to "with the person", but sounds more formal and detached.

in association with whom

Emphasizes a formal or professional connection between individuals.

alongside whom

Indicates a physical or metaphorical position next to someone, suggesting partnership.

in conjunction with whom

Highlights a collaborative effort or combined action with a person.

FAQs

Is it correct to say "with who" or "with whom"?

The grammatically correct phrase is "with whom". "Who" is a subjective pronoun, while "whom" is an objective pronoun. In this case, the pronoun functions as the object of the preposition "with".

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

Use "with whom" in formal writing and when the pronoun is the object of a preposition. In informal speech, "with who" is sometimes used, but it's not grammatically correct.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "with whom"?

Depending on the context, you can rephrase the sentence to avoid using "with whom" altogether. For example, instead of "The person with whom I spoke", you could say "The person I spoke with".

How can I easily remember when to use "who" vs. "whom"?

A helpful trick is to substitute "he/she" for "who" and "him/her" for "whom". If "he/she" fits, use "who". If "him/her" fits, use "whom".