B2Relative Clauses

Who or Whom

What is it?

"Who" and "whom" are both used to refer to people. "Who" is the subject form — it replaces a subject pronoun (he, she, they). "Whom" is the object form — it replaces an object pronoun (him, her, them). In everyday speech, "who" is often used for both, but "whom" is required in formal writing and always after prepositions.

How to form it

Subject	Positive	Negative	Question
Who — subject form	The man who called was very helpful.	Anyone who doesn't agree should speak now.	Who called you yesterday?
Whom — object form (formal)	The man whom I met was very helpful.	Someone whom I didn't know sent me flowers.	Whom did you call?
After prepositions — whom required	The person to whom I spoke was very helpful.	The colleague with whom she disagreed has resigned.	To whom should I address this letter?
Informal: "who" replaces "whom"	The man who I met was helpful.		Who did you call?

• Test: substitute "he/she" (= who) or "him/her" (= whom). "He called" → use "who". "I met him" → use "whom".
• "Who" is the subject: it performs the action of the verb in the relative clause.
• "Whom" is the object: it receives the action, or follows a preposition.
• In everyday speech, "who" is almost always used even in object positions.
• "Whom" is required in formal writing and always after prepositions: "to whom", "for whom", "with whom".
• "Who" can never follow a preposition: NOT "the person to who" — always "to whom".

When to use it

1
"Who" as subject of relative clause
She is the doctor who saved my life.
2
"Whom" as object of relative clause (formal)
He is the director whom the board appointed.
3
"Whom" after a preposition
The person to whom you should speak is Ms. Lee.
4
"Who" in informal speech (object position)
The woman who I spoke to was very kind.
5
"Whom" in questions (formal)
Whom did the committee select?

Common mistakes

The person to who I spoke was very helpful.

The person to whom I spoke was very helpful.

"Whom" must be used after a preposition. "Who" cannot follow a preposition.

Whom is calling?

Who is calling?

"Who" is the subject here — it is performing the action "is calling". "Whom" is the object form.

She is the woman who I admire her.

She is the woman who I admire. / She is the woman whom I admire.

Don't repeat the object ("her") after the relative pronoun.

Quick reference

"Who" = subject form. Test: can you replace with "he/she"?
"Whom" = object form. Test: can you replace with "him/her"?
"Whom" is always required after a preposition.
In informal speech, "who" is usually acceptable in object position.
In formal writing, use "whom" when it is the object.
"Who" can never follow a preposition.

Natural conversation example

A hiring manager discusses a candidate.

Kath

Who interviewed the candidate from Edinburgh?

Ross

That was Lisa — the one to whom all the applications were sent.

Kath

And who did she select for the second round?

Ross

There were three candidates whom she felt were very strong.

Kath

The man who applied from Glasgow — did he make the cut?

Ross

Yes. He's someone whom she spoke very highly of.

Kath

And who will be leading the final interviews?

Ross

The director, for whom this role is a high priority, wants to do them herself.

Practice Exercises

Fill in "who" or "whom".

1.
The woman __ I called never answered.
2.
To __ should I address this complaint?
3.
The author __ wrote this novel is highly acclaimed.
4.
She is someone __ I have always admired.
5.
The colleague with __ she worked closely has moved abroad.
6.
__ did the committee select as chairperson?
7.
He is the only person __ knows the answer.
8.
The candidate for __ the job was created never applied.
9.
__ told you that I was leaving?
10.
She is the manager __ everyone respects.

Where or That All Topics Whose or Whom

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