English grammar sometimes feels like a minefield, especially when trapped in the classic debate between who and whom. I clearly remember the first time I typed “whom else” in a professional email – I second-guessed everything. Was it wrong? Was I just sounding too robotic? Turns out, I wasn’t alone. Most of us tilt our head, questioning the correct usage and whether we sound too stiff. “Who Else or Whom Else” is something we’ve all Googled at some point, trying to find a quick guide or scroll past real-world examples. That’s where clear thinking and the right tools come in to help.
Let’s get to it. Use who else when you’re talking about the subject of the action – as in “Who else is coming to the meeting?” But use whom else when it’s about the object – like “To whom else should I send the report?” In everyday writing, especially in informal settings, whom can sound too formal or just off.
That’s why even though whom else is technically accurate in some cases, who else is more common – and that’s perfectly okay. Over time, with more exposure to real usage, you start picking the right phrasing without overthinking it. Just keep it simple, clear, and focused on what sounds natural.
Grammar Basics: Understanding Who vs. Whom
To tackle this properly, you need a clear handle on subject and object pronouns.
Pronoun
Role
Example
Who
Subject
Who called you last night?
Whom
Object
Whom did you call last night?
- “Who” performs the action.
- “Whom” receives the action.
Quick Tip: Use the He/Him Rule
If you can replace the word with “he,” use who. If “him” fits, go with whom.
Example: You called whom? You called him → correct.
Example: Who is going to the party? He is going to the party → correct.
Why “Who Else” Is (Almost Always) Correct
Most native speakers say “who else” without a second thought – and they’re right most of the time.
Why? Because “else” is just a modifier, not a game-changer. It doesn’t affect whether you use “who” or “whom.”
Examples of Correct Usage:
- ✅ Who else is coming? (“Who” is the subject doing the action.)
- ✅ Who else do you trust? (“Who” might feel like the object, but English favors “who” here.)
Even in questions where whom might technically fit, who is usually preferred in modern usage.
Rare but Real: When “Whom Else” Is Correct
That said, “whom else” isn’t always wrong – it’s just rarely needed. It appears in formal writing or structured grammar environments, such as legal or academic texts.
Formal Example:
- ✅ To whom else should I send the invitation? (Rewritten: I should send the invitation to him → use whom)
More Examples:
| Sentence | Correct Form | Explanation |
| Whom else did you see at the event? | ✅ Whom else | Object of the verb “see” |
| To whom else was the offer extended? | ✅ Whom else | Object of the preposition “to” |
| Who else showed up late? | ✅ Who else | Subject of the verb “showed” |
Still, most of the time, “who else” is natural and grammatically sound.
How to Know: Subject and Object Pronouns in Action
Let’s walk through how you decide whether “who else” or “whom else” fits in a sentence by identifying the subject and object.
Subject Pronouns (Doer of the action)
- I
- You
- He/She
- Who
Object Pronouns (Receiver of the action)
- Me
- You
- Him/Her
- Whom
Examples in Action:
- Who else wants coffee? → “Who else” is doing the wanting → subject
- Whom else did the manager call? → The manager did the calling → “whom else” is receiving → object
Use these comparisons to figure it out:
| Sentence | He/Him Test | Correct Form |
| Who else is at the door? | He is at the door | Who |
| You gave the gift to whom else? | You gave the gift to him | Whom |
| Whom else should I invite? | I should invite him | Whom |
| Who else wants dessert? | He wants dessert | Who |
Mini Grammar Quiz: Test Yourself
Choose the correct form: who else or whom else?
- ________ do you think will win?
- You should thank ________?
- ________ did she send the email to?
- ________ called me three times?
- With ________ are you attending the conference?
Answers:
- Who else (He will win)
- Whom else (You should thank him)
- Whom else (She sent it to him)
- Who else (He called me)
- Whom else (You’re attending it with him)
Is “Whom” Dying Out? Let’s Be Honest
English is changing. Fast. And “whom” is becoming less common, especially in everyday speech.
“Whom is on life support. It’s correct, but formal.” – Grammar Girl
Why? Because natural speech prefers simplicity. “Whom” often sounds too stiff or outdated unless used in legal, academic, or highly formal writing.
Evidence from Modern Usage:
- Most news outlets, including The New York Times, often choose clarity over strict grammar.
- Social media, blogs, and casual writing overwhelmingly use “who.”
- Grammar-checking tools like Grammarly or Hemingway often allow “who” over “whom” unless the tone requires formality.
When to Be Formal vs. When to Keep It Casual
Let’s talk about when it actually matters to use “whom else.”
Use “Whom Else” In:
- Formal emails or cover letters
- Research papers
- Legal documents
- Public speeches or statements
Use “Who Else” In:
- Everyday speech
- Social media posts
- Emails to friends or colleagues
- Marketing content or blogs
Real-World Comparison Table:
| Context | Preferred Form | Example |
| Formal job application | Whom else | “To whom else should I direct this?” |
| Chat with a friend | Who else | “Who else is going to the party?” |
| Business blog | Who else | “Who else needs help with this issue?” |
| Academic essay | Whom else | “With whom else did the author engage?” |
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
Let’s clear up the errors people often make when using “who else” or “whom else.”
Mistake #1: Over-correcting
Some people use “whom else” thinking it sounds smarter, even when it’s incorrect.
❌ “Whom else is here?” → sounds wrong and is wrong.
Mistake #2: Trusting Grammar Tools Blindly
Tools like Microsoft Word or Grammarly sometimes flag “who” incorrectly.
Always do the “he/him” test before changing it.
Mistake #3: Ignoring the Preposition
If a preposition (to, with, for) comes before the word, use whom.
✅ “To whom else should I send this?”
❌ “To who else should I send this?”
Famous Examples from Literature and Media
Writers often choose clarity over correctness, and “whom” is often replaced with “who” in dialogue – even in classics.
- “Who else would do such a thing?” – Agatha Christie
- “You know who else hates Mondays? Garfield.” – TV Sitcom
- “To whom else do I owe this pleasure?” – Downton Abbey (Formal context)
Even seasoned writers vary their usage based on tone and character voice.
Tips to Always Get It Right
Want to sound smart without sounding stiff? Here are some tips:
- Use “he/him” substitution to test your sentence
- Rearrange the sentence to see the grammatical structure
- Speak the sentence out loud – if it sounds awkward, it probably is
Default to “who else” in casual or conversational contexts
Fast Trick Table:
| Situation | Ask Yourself | Use This |
| Asking a question | Can “he” answer it? | Who else |
| Sentence has “to,” “with,” etc. | Is it followed by a preposition? | Whom else |
| Unsure? | Does “him” fit better? | Whom else |
Quick Reference Table: Who Else vs. Whom Else
| Sentence Example | Correct Form | Why? |
| Who else wants to join? | Who else | “Who” is the subject |
| Whom else did you invite? | Whom else | “Whom” is the object |
| With whom else are you working? | Whom else | Object of the preposition “with” |
| Who else is in the room? | Who else | “Who” is the subject |
| To whom else was it addressed? | Whom else | Object of the preposition “to” |
Final Thoughts:
The distinction between “who else” and “whom else” might seem tricky, but with a solid grasp of grammar basics, it becomes far more manageable. At its core, it’s all about knowing whether you’re referring to the subject (who) or the object (whom) in a sentence. While “who else” is far more common and widely accepted, “whom else” holds its ground in more formal or structured communication.
Still, usage is evolving. Language shifts with culture, and grammar isn’t immune. In informal speech and modern writing, “whom” is used sparingly, often replaced by “who” for flow and clarity. Even respected journalists and authors tend to avoid the stiffness of “whom” unless necessary.
FAQs:
Is “Whom Else” ever actually correct?
Yes, in formal contexts where “whom else” is the object of a verb or preposition. For example, “To whom else should I address this?”
Can I always use “Who Else” instead?
In casual speech and most writing, “who else” is widely accepted – even in situations where “whom” is grammatically correct. It’s the go-to choice for clarity.
How can I tell when to use “whom else”?
Use the he/him trick. If you’d answer the question with “him,” use “whom else.” If “he” fits, use “who else.” It’s a reliable shortcut.
Does “else” change the grammar rule?
Not at all. “Else” is just a modifier – it doesn’t affect whether you use “who” or “whom.” Always base your choice on subject or object position.
Why does “whom” sound weird sometimes?
Because it’s falling out of use in everyday conversation. Even though it’s technically correct, it often sounds overly formal or unnatural to modern ears.
