Who is saying what to whom

He writes the songs. Think about whether you want to cover him. So whom is correct. Think about whether he is eligible for coverage. So who is correct. This trick is really a variation on No. If written explanations of subject and object pronouns — or of grammar generally — make your head throb, a more visual approach might help.

In each clause, underline the subject and highlight the verb. Returning to our example:. They would also probably move the preposition to the end of the clause in the third example:. The people the funds were supposedly directed to benefited little. However, if you are writing at work, at college or university, or for publication, it is acceptable and even advisable to use the more formal whom , especially in constructions with a preposition.

In one specific context whom seems obligatory: when it is preceded by quantifiers such as all of , both of , few of , many of , several of , etc. The Millennium Stadium accommodates 72, spectators, all of whom are seated. Congratulations to all the winners, most of whom are definitely reading this blog!

Who is correct in both examples. The mistake occurs because the reporting verbs claim and say have been inserted between the grammatical subjects [ elderly woman , journalists ] and the verbs they govern [ has ruined , use ].

If you take them out, you can see that the sentence is wrong, because whom is being incorrectly used as the subject:. Now that you know how to use who correctly, take a look at sentences with whom. Remember that whom is receiving the action while who is performing the action. You can also learn the fundamental rules of using who vs.

All rights reserved. Home Grammar Who or Whom? Easy Ways to Remember Who or Whom? Easy Ways to Remember. The difference between these words is: Who is a subject pronoun. Whom is an object pronoun. Use who when the subject of the sentence would normally require a subject pronoun like he or she.

Use whom when a sentence needs an object pronoun like him or her. Feedback Dictionary. Word of the Day. Meanings Meanings. Who vs. When to use who Who , like I, he, she , we , and they , is used as the subject of a sentence. Examples of who in a sentence See how who is used as a subject in different ways: Who rescued the dog?

Do you know who baked this cake? When to use whom Whom is a little trickier. Examples of whom in a sentence See how whom acts as an object in each of these instances: Whom did you see? His grandchildren, whom he loves so much, are in town for a visit.