Who/Whom Usage Practice

Who is the nominative case of the pronoun. It is used as a subject or a predicate noun in a sentence.

Whom is the objective case of the pronoun. It is used as a direct object, indirect object or object of the preposition.

If you just look at the sentence you have, you will see whether tha pronoun who, or whom should be used by the position it is in the sentence. Another way to decide is to change the question to a statement and substitute he/she or we/they for who and him/her or us/them for whom?

Examples:

(Who, Whom) will we pick for our leader?
Change it to a statement: We will pick (who, whom) for our leader. We will pick him/her for our leader. Therefore the pronoun, whom, has to be used here.

(Who, Whom) decided to go on the trip? Change it to a statement: He/She decided to go on the trip. Therefore, the pronoun, Who, has to be used in this sentence.

Exercise Directions: Try these sentences. Write down your choices. Remember to change questions to statements to find the subject.

1. (Who, Whom) did Jamie photograph for this month's issue?

2. (Who, Whom) develops the film?

3. (Who, Whom) called a meeting for this morning?

4. (Who, Whom) have you told about the meeting?

5. (Who, Whom) has a good idea for next month's issue?

6. In that book, (who, whom) is the main character?

7. (Who, Whom) does Paul like the best in that movie?

8. (Who, Whom) should I ask to the dance?

9. (Who, Whom) did Peter meet at the airport?

10. To (who, whom) did Gina give the award?