Some of Whom or Some of Who? Correct Usage (With Examples)

When learning English, some of whom and who can confuse many, but mastering “Some of Whom or Some of Who” builds clarity and confidence in writing. I remember when grammar felt like a puzzle, one that tests both patience and skill. In the real world, correct usage shapes your words into something clear and professional. As you write, using the right form boosts confidence and adds a touch of flair to your style. You’re never alone in this process; I’ve been there, working through examples and practice. A friendly guide that walks you step by step ensures you’re not stuck wondering which choice is the right one.

Understanding “Who” versus “Whom” in Grammar

Let’s get grounded in the basics. “Who” works when the pronoun acts as the subject – the “do-er” of an action. “Whom” shows up when the pronoun is the object – the “done-to.”

• Who = you do something
• Whom = something happens to you

Imagine a quick convert list:

Case	Pronoun	Example
Subjective	who	“Who called you?” (who = subject of called)
Objective	whom	“To whom did you speak?” (whom = object of to)

English speakers trip up because in casual talk “whom” sounds formal. Still, in writing, it matters – especially after words like of, to, for, with, and by.

The Subjective Case: When to Use “Who”

“Who” serves as the subject. Ask who’s doing the verb:

• “Who wrote the email?”
• “I’d like to meet who values honesty.”

Notice: the pronoun performs the action. No prepositions or object roles – just clear, direct action. That’s when who wins.

The Objective Case: When to Use “Whom”

“Whom” steps in as the object. When you can replace it with him or her, you likely need whom. Examples:

• “I saw the person whom you mentioned.” → “I saw the person you mentioned him.”
• “She’s the one to whom I owe credit.” → “She’s the one I owe credit to her.”

Hint: if replacing with “him” or “her” sounds natural, whom applies.

Quick Test That Works Every Time

Try this simple trick:

1. Rewrite the clause replacing “who/whom” with he/she and him/her.
2. If he/she fits, use who. If him/her fits, use whom.

Example: Original: “Some of who/whom are responsible.” Test: “Some of they are responsible” (no), “Some of them are responsible” (yes) → Use “whom”: “Some of whom are responsible.”

That’s your shortcut – sharp, reliable, and grammar-proof.

Why “Some of Whom” Is Correct (and “Some of Who” Isn’t)

When you use some of whom, you’re combining a quantifier (“some of”) with a relative pronoun that’s governed by the preposition “of.” Grammatically:

• some of whom → “of” governs whom (object form)
• some of who → clashes, because who can’t follow a preposition correctly

Real-world example: “Meeting with people, some of whom are experts in AI, made the panel stronger.” You wouldn’t say “some of who” because the pronoun isn’t acting as the subject – it’s inside a prepositional phrase.

Prepositions and Pronoun Cases: What You Need to Know

Prepositions almost always demand an object pronoun. That means “whom” is often the right choice after prepositions like:

• to whom
• for whom
• with whom
• of whom
• by whom

Quick tip list:

• Ask yourself: is this pronoun the object of a preposition? If yes → whom
• Example: “She’s someone with whom I’ve worked.” (“with” + object pronoun)

Quantifiers and Pronouns: Applying the Rule

Quantified phrases – some of, many of, few of, all of – often precede a group, and our pronoun must match case.

Examples:

• Some of whom (people)
• Many of whom (guests)
• Few of whom (students)

Try this sample for clarity:

“We invited many people, many of whom RSVPed quickly.”

Notice “of whom” remains correct. Swapping it for who changes the grammatical role.

Common Mistakes with “Who” and “Whom”

These mistakes pop up every day:

• “Whom should I call?” (should be “Who should I call?” because “I” am calling)
• “To who did this happen?” (should be “To whom did this happen?” because the pronoun follows “to”)
• “Some of who there attended were locals.” (should be “Some of whom …”)

Why we get sloppy:

• In speech, “whom” feels stuffy, so we drop it.
• We forget to test with “him/her” vs “he/she.”
• Complex sentences hide the pronoun’s actual function.

Untangling Complex Clauses and Sentences

Let’s use a case study to practice.

Sentence: “We praised the scientists, some of whom had decades of experience, and who inspired us.”

Break it down:

• “some of whom had decades of experience” → “of” → whom
• “who inspired us” → subject of inspired → who

You can have both “who” and “whom” in the same sentence, as long as each follows its own case rules.

Practical Examples in Context

Here’s how “some of whom” and “some of who” play out in different styles:

Everyday speech:

“I met a bunch of people, some of whom were musicians.”

Business writing:

“We reached out to stakeholders, some of whom provided critical feedback.”

Academic context:

“Participants completed surveys, many of whom showed high levels of engagement.”

Creative writing:

“He told stories of travelers, some of whom disappeared into the night.”

Each time, “of whom” is correct because the pronoun follows “of.”

Alternative Phrases: When “Some of Them” or “Some of Which” Fit

If “some of whom” feels too formal or clunky, these alternatives can help:

• Some of them – works when referring generally to people, especially in casual tone
  • “I met a group – they’re friends, some of them are musicians.”
• Some of which – applies when you’re talking about things, not people
  • “We bought several gadgets, some of which broke quickly.”

Style table:

Phrase	Use Case	Tone
some of whom	people, formal/written	polished
some of them	people, informal	conversational
some of which	things, formal or informal	clear for non-people references

Advanced Grammar Insights and Trends

• “Whom” is vanishing in informal speech. Many native speakers say “who” even when “whom” is technically correct.
• Prescriptive vs descriptive grammar: Linguistic purists insist on “whom,” but usage guides acknowledge that in casual contexts, “who” often slips through.
• International English differences: In some dialects – like Indian English or certain academic registers – “whom” remains alive and well.
• When you should use “whom”: legal writing, formal correspondence, academic papers – places where precision matters most.

Summary Table: When to Use Who vs Whom

Clause Type	Test	Correct Pronoun
Subject (does the action)	he/she → Who	Who
Object of verb or preposition	him/her → Whom	Whom
After quantifier + of (people)	test with him/her	Some of whom
Preposition + pronoun	object of prep.	Whom
Casual conversation	less formal, tone-based	Who (often)
Formal writing or clarity	precision matters	Whom

Final Thoughts

Mastering the difference between “some of whom” and “some of who” comes down to understanding how who and whom function in a sentence. While who serves as the subject, whom appears when the pronoun is the object, especially after a preposition like of. That’s why “some of whom” is grammatically correct – it follows the objective case rule.

Many English speakers casually use who in both positions, but in formal writing, correct pronoun case matters. Whether you’re drafting an academic paper, preparing business reports, or writing creative prose, using whom correctly demonstrates precision and professionalism.

One easy way to check is by replacing the pronoun with he/she or him/her. If him/her fits, use whom. This quick test works every time and keeps your writing consistent.

It’s also important to consider tone. In casual speech, “some of them” may feel more natural, but for polished, clear writing – especially when referring to people – “some of whom” is the right choice.

FAQs

What does “some of whom” mean?

It means a portion of a previously mentioned group of people, where “whom” is the object of the preposition “of.” For example, “I met many authors, some of whom have won awards.” Here, “some” refers to part of the group, and “whom” follows grammatical rules for the objective case.

Is “some of who” ever correct?

No, “some of who” is not considered grammatically correct. After the preposition “of,” the pronoun should be in the objective case, which is “whom.” Using “some of who” instead would break standard grammar rules, particularly in formal writing or professional communication, where correctness is expected.

How can I quickly decide between “who” and “whom”?

Use the substitution test: Replace “who/whom” with “he/she” or “him/her.” If “he/she” fits, use “who.” If “him/her” fits, use “whom.” Example: “Some of whom were present” → “Some of them were present” (fits “them” → objective case → “whom”). This trick works in nearly all situations.

Can I use “some of them” instead of “some of whom”?

Yes, in informal contexts, “some of them” works and is often more natural in speech. However, in formal writing, “some of whom” is preferred when referring to people, especially within relative clauses. “Some of them” is broader and less precise, while “some of whom” signals correct grammatical structure.

What about “some of which”?

“Some of which” is used for non-human subjects or inanimate objects. For example: “We toured several cities, some of which were historic.” It follows the same rule as “some of whom,” with “which” being the correct objective pronoun for things rather than people.