with whom

USAGE SUMMARY

"with whom" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a clause that defines the person or people being referred to, as in: She was the only person, with whom I could share my secrets.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With whom?

The New York Times

In consultation with whom?

The New Yorker

And with whom?

The New York Times

But with whom?

The Guardian

Or with whom.

The New York Times

Friends with whom she talks?

The New Yorker

What mattered was with whom.

The New York Times

With whom are they fighting?

The New York Times

Now who's messing with whom?

The New Yorker

Mainly, who's talking with whom?

The New York Times

With whom is she arguing?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with whom" in formal writing and when constructing questions where the person is the object of the preposition.

Common error

Avoid using "with who" in formal writing. While increasingly common in informal speech, it is still considered grammatically incorrect in formal contexts. Always use "with whom" when a preposition precedes the pronoun.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with whom" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically introducing a relative clause or forming part of an interrogative sentence. It identifies the person that is the object of the preposition 'with'. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with whom" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase, primarily functioning as a prepositional phrase to introduce relative clauses or interrogative sentences. As confirmed by Ludwig, it specifies the person involved in an action or relationship and is particularly suited to formal and scientific contexts. While the alternative "with who" exists, "with whom" remains the preferred choice for maintaining grammatical correctness in formal writing. Its prevalence in sources like The New York Times and academic journals underscores its suitability for professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with which person

Replaces the pronoun "whom" with the noun "person", emphasizing the individual nature of the interaction, while being slightly less formal.

with who

Uses the less formal pronoun "who" instead of "whom", acceptable in casual speech but often discouraged in formal writing.

to whom

Indicates the recipient of something, focusing on directionality rather than accompaniment, thus slightly altering the context.

alongside whom

Emphasizes the idea of being together or side-by-side with someone, adding a sense of partnership or collaboration.

in company with whom

Highlights the social aspect of being with someone, emphasizing companionship and shared experience.

together with whom

Stresses the collective nature of an activity or situation, indicating joint participation or presence.

in whose company

Highlights the social dynamics of being with someone, emphasizing companionship and shared experience.

among whom

Focuses on being part of a larger group of people, suggesting inclusion and shared characteristics.

with whomever

Indicates that the choice of person is unrestricted, suggesting flexibility and lack of preference.

in collaboration with whom

Highlights a working partnership; focuses on teamwork.

FAQs

How to use "with whom" in a sentence?

"With whom" is used to introduce a clause where you're asking about or specifying the person someone is interacting with. For example, "With whom did you speak?" or "She is the person "with whom I work"".

Is "with who" grammatically correct instead of "with whom"?

While "with who" is often heard in casual conversation, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing and speech. "With whom" is the correct form when the pronoun is the object of the preposition "with".

What's the difference between "with whom" and "who"?

"Who" is a subjective pronoun (used as the subject of a verb), whereas "with whom" is an objective pronoun (used as the object of a preposition or verb). Therefore, you'd use "with whom" when "with" is part of the phrase.

When should I use "with whom" instead of other prepositions?

Use "with whom" specifically when you want to indicate association, accompaniment, or interaction with a person and the preposition "with" accurately reflects that relationship. For example, "With whom did you travel?" indicates companionship, while other prepositions might imply different relationships.