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[Sticky] Master the Proper Use of 'Who' and 'Whom' in Your Writing

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wcadmin
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Are you feeling stumped by when to use "who" and "whom" in your writing? Don't worry, you're not alone. These pronouns can be tricky to use correctly, but with a little practice, you'll be able to choose the right one every time.

First, let's review the basic difference between "who" and "whom". "Who" is used as the subject of a sentence, while "whom" is used as the object. In other words, "who" is doing the action, while "whom" is receiving the action.

For example:

  • Who is going to the store? (subject)
  • Whom did you give the book to? (object)

Now, let's look at some more complex examples to help clarify when to use "who" and "whom".

Example 1:

Who/Whom should I invite to the party?

To determine which pronoun to use here, you need to identify the subject and object of the sentence. The subject is "I" and the object is "who/whom". Since "who/whom" is receiving the action (being invited), it should be "whom". The correct sentence would be: Whom should I invite to the party?

Example 2:

The woman who/whom I met at the party is a doctor.

In this sentence, the subject is "woman" and the object is "who/whom". Since "who/whom" is doing the action (being met), it should be "who". The correct sentence would be: The woman who I met at the party is a doctor.

Example 3:

Whom did you see at the concert last night?

In this sentence, the subject is "you" and the object is "whom". Since "whom" is receiving the action (being seen), it is correct to use "whom". The sentence is correct as written.

It's worth noting that in informal spoken English, "who" is often used in place of "whom" (e.g. "Who did you give the book to?"). While this may be acceptable in casual conversation, it's important to use the correct form in formal writing.

In summary, "who" is used as the subject of a sentence, while "whom" is used as the object. To determine which one to use, identify the subject and object of the sentence and use the appropriate pronoun accordingly. With a little practice, you'll be able to master the proper use of "who" and "whom" in your writing.

This topic was modified 1 year ago by wcadmin

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Grady Lucas
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eMail: admin@writerscritique.org


   
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