Who Really Knows?

The difference between “who” and “whom” confuses many a writer or speaker. Knowing when to use which can be complicated. But an editor friend years ago offered an oh-so-easy way to check your choice.

When you get to the “who” or “whom” part of your sentence, insert a pronoun and see whether the subjective or objective works. Take the prepositional phrase “for whom the bell tolls,” for example. Turn the sentence around to put in the masculine pronoun: “the bell tolls for him.” Notice both “whom” and “him” end in “m”?

That objective pronoun, “him,” is clearly correct when compared with the subjective pronoun, “he.” Could the bell really toll for he?

Now, as you know, “him” and “her” go together (as opposed to “him” and “she”), right? So if you think maybe you should use “whom,” try the sentence with “him” (or “her”) and see whether it works.

Here’s an example requiring “who.”

“The girl who cleaned up the kitchen yesterday may be excused today.”

Why do you use “who” here? Because the pronoun taking the place of “the girl” would be “she.” “She cleaned up the kitchen yesterday.” It’s subjective—the pronoun is the subject of the sentence. “She” goes with “he,” and there is no “m,” so there is no “”whom.”

Of course, then we get into a discussion about when to use “who” rather than “that.” I’ll explain that on my blog one day for those who are unsure. Of course, my editing services are always available for those to whom this remains a mystery.