People Who or People Whom? When to Use Each Correctly

For many English learners, choosing between “people who” or “people whom” can be confusing. Even native speakers hesitate at times. The key difference is simple: who refers to the subject doing the action, while whom refers to the object receiving it. Understanding this distinction helps you write and speak with clarity in both formal and casual situations.

Regular practice with everyday examples makes the rules easier to remember. By breaking sentences down and identifying subject and object roles, using who and whom becomes natural, helping your communication sound smooth, clear, and professional.

Understanding “Who” and “Whom” in English

At the heart of the who vs. whom debate lies a basic distinction in English grammar: subject vs. object pronouns.

• Who functions as a subject pronoun, meaning it performs the action of a verb.
• Whom acts as an object pronoun, receiving the action of a verb or following a preposition.

For example:

• Who: The person who called me is my colleague.
  (Here, “who” is performing the action of calling.)
• Whom: The person to whom I spoke was very helpful.
  (Here, “whom” receives the action of speaking.)

Understanding this distinction is essential. Think of who as the doer and whom as the receiver. This simple mental model can save countless grammar headaches.

When to Use “Who” vs. “Whom”

Knowing the definitions isn’t enough- you need a practical method to decide which fits your sentence. Start by identifying the subject and object.

Quick rule:

• If the pronoun answers who is doing the action, use who.
• If it answers who is receiving the action, use whom.

Example sentences:

Sentence	Correct Form	Explanation
She met the person ___ recommended her book.	who	“Who” is the subject of “recommended.”
She met the person ___ I recommended the book to.	whom	“Whom” is the object of “recommended.”

Another handy trick: replace who/whom with he/him or she/her. If he/she fits, use who; if him/her fits, use whom.

• The man ___ is singing is my brother. → He is singing → who
• The man ___ I am singing to is my brother. → I am singing to him → whom

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

Even experienced writers fall into the trap of misusing whom. Here are some frequent errors:

• Overusing “whom” in casual writing: In emails, social media, or informal articles, “whom” often sounds stiff.
  Incorrect: Whom should I contact for this task?
  Better: Who should I contact for this task?
• Using “who” incorrectly in object positions:
  Incorrect: The student who I helped yesterday is grateful.
  Correct: The student whom I helped yesterday is grateful.
• Confusing prepositions: Always pair whom with prepositions when required. For example: to whom, for whom, with whom.

Real-world examples:

• Social media: Tag the people who/whom you want to invite.
• Emails: Please send this report to the people whom it concerns.

Quick Tricks to Determine Correct Usage

When in doubt, these practical tricks help writers decide between who and whom quickly:

1. Substitution Method

Replace the pronoun with he/him or she/her:

• The person ___ called me was helpful. → He called me. → who
• The person ___ I called was helpful. → I called him. → whom

2. Question Transformation

Turn the sentence into a question to see which sounds natural:

• I met the person ___ won the award. → Who won the award? → who
• I met the person ___ I sent the email to. → I sent the email to whom? → whom

3. Look for Prepositions

If a preposition precedes the pronoun, whom is usually correct:

• To whom it may concern (formal letters)
• For whom the bell tolls (classic example from literature)

People Who vs. People Whom – Specific Applications

Understanding context is key. Here’s how people who and people whom are used differently:

People Who

• Common in everyday conversation and writing
• Connects directly to actions or characteristics
• Example: People who exercise regularly tend to live longer.

People Whom

• More formal, often in professional or official writing
• Used when the pronoun functions as an object or follows a preposition
• Example: People to whom you send this form must confirm their identity.

Tip: In casual writing, it’s safer to use people who even if “whom” might be technically correct- it sounds more natural.

Modern Trends and the Decline of “Whom”

English is evolving. Even native speakers often avoid whom in conversation. Consider these trends:

• Informal writing: Most blogs, social media posts, and emails prefer who for simplicity.
• Formal writing: Legal documents, academic papers, or official letters still require whom.
• Native speakers: Many use who universally, especially in speech.

Interesting fact: Linguists note that the decline of whom is accelerating in American English. Its usage is now mostly restricted to prepositional phrases.

Advanced Usage Tips

Once you’ve mastered basic rules, it’s time to explore advanced applications:

1. Prepositional Phrases

Always pair whom with prepositions:

• With whom did you discuss the project?
• For whom are we preparing this document?

2. Embedded Clauses

• The scientist who discovered the cure was celebrated worldwide. (subject)
• The scientist whom the committee honored received a prize. (object)

3. Indirect Questions

• Do you know who/whom they invited to the conference? → whom (object)

Expert Opinions and Grammar Authority Guidance

Grammar authorities provide useful guidance:

• Chicago Manual of Style: Recommends whom in formal writing but allows who in casual contexts.
• AP Stylebook: Often favors who, reflecting modern usage trends.
• Grammarly Insights: Suggest using whom only when the object function is clear.

Quote from Lynne Truss, author of Eats, Shoots & Leaves:

“Whom isn’t dying; it’s just hiding behind a curtain, waiting for a formal introduction.”

These insights confirm that context and audience determine whether to use who or whom.

Real-World Examples to Practice

Here’s a table of common mistakes vs. correct usage:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
The teacher who I met yesterday was inspiring.	The teacher whom I met yesterday was inspiring.	“Whom” is object of “met.”
People whom enjoy reading join book clubs.	People who enjoy reading join book clubs.	“Who” is subject of “enjoy.”
To who it may concern.	To whom it may concern.	Formal prepositional phrase requires “whom.”
The artist who I gave the award to was humble.	The artist to whom I gave the award was humble.	“Whom” is object of the preposition “to.”

Practice exercise:

• Replace who/whom with he/him to see which fits.
• Transform sentences into questions to check natural usage.

Final Tips and Best Practices

1. Default to “who” in casual writing– it’s widely accepted.
2. Reserve “whom” for formal, professional, or prepositional contexts.
3. Use substitution and question methods to double-check your choice.
4. Read aloud: If it sounds awkward, revise.
5. Keep learning through examples– books, articles, and professional emails are excellent practice.

Remember, grammar isn’t just about rules- it’s about clear communication. Using people who and people whom correctly improves credibility and readability without sounding stiff.

Conclusion

Mastering the difference between people who and people whom may feel challenging at first, but it becomes intuitive once you understand the underlying rules and practice consistently. At its core, the choice depends on whether the pronoun functions as a subject or an object. Remember, who is used when referring to the subject of a verb, while whom is reserved for the object or after prepositions. Techniques like the substitution method (he/him) and question transformation make identifying the correct pronoun straightforward.

In modern English, whom is declining in everyday speech, yet it remains relevant in formal contexts such as academic writing, legal documents, or professional correspondence. Striking a balance between correctness and natural flow is key. Overusing whom in casual writing can make your sentences sound stiff, while ignoring it entirely in formal writing may appear careless.

Practical application is crucial. Pay attention to sentences in books, articles, and reputable online sources to see how experts handle who vs. whom. Notice prepositional phrases like to whom, for whom, or with whom and how they affect sentence structure. Using tables, substitution exercises, and real-world examples can help internalize the rules.

Finally, practice regularly. Writing, speaking, and self-editing using the techniques outlined in this guide will build confidence and clarity. Over time, distinguishing people who from people whom becomes second nature. With these strategies, your writing will be not only grammatically correct but also polished, professional, and engaging. Correct usage enhances your credibility and ensures that your sentences communicate precisely what you intend.

FAQs

Can I use “who” instead of “whom” in all sentences?

In casual writing and conversation, using who is generally acceptable. Many native speakers avoid whom in everyday speech because it sounds formal or outdated. However, in professional, academic, or legal contexts, whom remains important, especially when the pronoun is the object of a verb or follows a preposition. Using whom correctly demonstrates grammatical precision and adds credibility to formal writing, while who ensures readability and natural flow in informal contexts.

What is the easiest way to know if I should use “who” or “whom”?

The substitution method is the simplest trick: replace the pronoun with he/she or him/her. If he/she fits, use who; if him/her fits, use whom. Another method is the question transformation: convert the sentence into a question to determine the subject or object. Finally, check for prepositions- if the pronoun follows one, whom is likely correct. With practice, these techniques become intuitive, helping you write confidently in any context.

Is “whom” disappearing from English?

Yes, in everyday conversation and informal writing, whom is becoming less common. Native speakers often default to who because it sounds simpler and more natural. However, whom still has a place in formal English, legal writing, and academic documents. It’s especially important in prepositional phrases, such as to whom it may concern, where using who would be considered incorrect or overly casual. Understanding when and where whom is appropriate is key to mastering polished, professional English.

Can I use “people whom” in casual writing?

While grammatically correct, people whom often sounds stiff or overly formal in casual writing, social media posts, or friendly emails. Most modern writers prefer people who because it reads naturally and flows easily. Reserve people whom for professional or academic contexts where precision is valued. In informal settings, overusing whom may distract or confuse readers, whereas people who communicates the intended meaning clearly without drawing attention to grammar.

How can I practice using “who” and “whom” effectively?

Consistent practice is key. Start by reading reputable articles, books, and professional writing to observe correct usage. Create practice sentences using both who and whom, and apply the substitution method or question transformation for each. Pay attention to prepositional phrases and formal contexts where whom appears. Additionally, review your own writing and edit for accuracy, experimenting with both casual and formal sentences. Over time, recognizing the correct pronoun becomes second nature, improving both your writing clarity and confidence.