whom
Whom (pron) means the object form of "who," used when referring to the person a verb or preposition acts on. Example: “Whom did you invite to the meeting?”
How to use whom
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal version of "who," used for the object of a verb or preposition.
Use "whom" after a preposition ("to whom," "for whom") or as the object of a verb; use "who" as the subject. In casual speech, "who" is now widely accepted in both roles.
Word forms
of who plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ did you invite to the meeting?
Etymology
From Old English hwām, the dative case of hwā ("who").
Rhymes for whom
See all rhymes for whom →Frequently asked questions
What does “whom” mean?
The word “whom” means the object form of "who," used when referring to the person a verb or preposition acts on. In plain terms, a formal version of "who," used for the object of a verb or preposition.
How do you pronounce “whom”?
“Whom” is pronounced hoom (/huːm/ in IPA).
How do you use “whom” in a sentence?
Here is “whom” used in a sentence: “Whom did you invite to the meeting?”
What part of speech is “whom”?
“Whom” is a pronoun.
Where does the word “whom” come from?
The word “whom” comes from Old English. From Old English hwām, the dative case of hwā ("who").
Is “whom” a common word?
“Whom” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between who and whom?
Who is the subject form, used for the person doing the action, as in 'who called?'. Whom is the object form, used for the person receiving the action or following a preposition, as in 'to whom did you speak?'. A quick test: if you could answer with 'he', use who; if 'him', use whom.
When should I use whom?
Use whom when the word is the object of a verb or preposition, meaning the action is done to that person. It often follows prepositions, as in 'for whom', 'with whom', or 'to whom'. If you can replace it with 'him' or 'her', whom is correct; if 'he' or 'she' fits, use who.
Is whom still used today?
Whom is increasingly rare in everyday speech, where many people use who in its place, especially at the start of a question. It remains common in formal writing and directly after prepositions, as in 'to whom it may concern'. Using it correctly still signals careful, polished English.
What is an easy trick for who vs whom?
Answer the question with he or him. If 'he' sounds right, use who, because both are subjects. If 'him' sounds right, use whom, because both are objects and both end in the letter m. For example, 'Whom did you see?' pairs with 'I saw him', so whom is correct.
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