What is whom? Pronunciation and usage in English

whom means . Learn how to pronounce and use whom through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of whom

whompronoun

/huːm/
Definition & pronunciation of whom

Okay, "whom" is notoriously tricky for English speakers! Here's a breakdown of how to pronounce it, and why it’s confusing:

The Basic Pronunciation:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

“Wuhm” (rhymes with "hum")

Let’s break that down:

  • “Wuh”: Like the beginning of “water” or “wet”. It's a short, sharp "w" sound.
  • “m”: A clear, regular "m" sound.

The Key: It’s a Relative Pronoun

This is why it's so hard. "Whom" isn't pronounced like "who" because it's not a subject pronoun. It’s a relative pronoun – it’s used to relate a clause to a noun. It asks a question about who or whom is receiving the action.

Here's how to figure out if you need "whom":

  1. Ask yourself: “Is this person being acted upon?” (Receiving the action of a verb)

  2. If the answer is YES, you need "whom."

  3. If the answer is NO (the person is doing the action – the subject of the verb), you need “who.”

Examples to illustrate:

  • Who is going to the party? (Subject - “who” is doing the going)

  • Whom did you see at the party? (Object – “whom” is receiving the seeing)

  • Who wants an apple? (Subject)

  • Whom did you give the apple to? (Object)

Let's practice:

Try saying these sentences aloud:

  • "To whom did you speak?" (Should sound like "Tuh-wuhm")
  • "Who is coming to dinner?" (Should sound like "Who")
  • “Whom are you inviting?” (Should sound like “Wuhm”)

Resources for Further Practice:

Important Note: Many native English speakers (especially in American English) still find "whom" difficult and often substitute “who” even when "whom" is grammatically correct. However, using "whom" correctly demonstrates a higher level of grammatical precision.

Do you want me to give you more examples or perhaps practice a sentence of your own?

Usage and examples with the word whom in English

Let's break down how to use "whom" correctly in English. It's a tricky word that often causes confusion, but understanding the difference between "who" and "whom" will make you sound more polished.

The Basic Rule:

  • "Who" is used as the subject of a verb. Think of it as the "doer" of the action.
  • "Whom" is used as the object of a verb or a preposition. Think of it as receiving the action or being affected by the preposition.

Let's illustrate with examples:

1. "Who" – Subject of the Verb:

  • Who is going to the party? (Here, "who" is performing the action of "going.")
  • Who wrote this book? (Here, "who" is performing the action of "writing.")
  • Who do you think will win? (Here, "who" is doing the thinking.)

2. "Whom" – Object of the Verb:

  • Whom did you see at the concert? (Here, “whom” is receiving the action of "seeing." You saw whom.)
  • To whom did you give the gift? (Here, “whom” is the object of the preposition "to" – you gave the gift to whom.)
  • Whom should I ask for help? (Here, "whom" is receiving the action of "asking.")

How to Tell the Difference – A Simple Trick:

  1. Replace "who" or "whom" with "he/she/they." This can often reveal whether you need "who" or "whom."

    • "Who is going to the party?" -> "He is going to the party?" (Sounds better with "he") – Therefore, "who" is correct.
    • "Whom did you see at the concert?" -> "You saw him at the concert?" (Sounds better with "him") – Therefore, "whom" is correct.

  2. Rearrange the Sentence: Try moving the phrase containing "who" or "whom" to the end of the sentence.

    • “Who is going to the party?” -> “The person going to the party is…” (Use “who”)
    • “Whom did you see at the concert?” -> “You saw the person at the concert…” (Use “whom”)

Important Notes & Considerations:

  • Formal English: "Whom" is considered more formal and less common in everyday speech. Many native English speakers use "who" in place of "whom," especially in informal contexts. However, using "whom" correctly signals a higher level of grammatical precision.

  • Prepositions: “Whom” is always used with prepositions (to, for, with, about, from, etc.). If there’s no preposition, use “who.”

  • Relative Clauses: “Whom” is often found in relative clauses (clauses that add information about a noun).

    • Example: “The woman whom I met yesterday was lovely.” ( “Whom” is the object of the verb "met.")

Let's do some practice! Can you tell me if you'd use "who" or "whom" in these sentences?

  1. To _______ did you send the email?
  2. _______ is responsible for this project?
  3. The man _______ I was talking to was very helpful.
  4. _______ are you going to invite to the party?

Would you like me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Create a quiz to test your understanding?
  • Explain a specific type of sentence where "whom" is used (e.g., relative clauses)?

Synonyms for the word whom

Practice with vocabulary whom

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The department head will present the proposal to the board of directors, to _____ all significant strategic decisions are submitted.
  2. Please ensure that the revised budget report reaches _____ by end of day, as we need to finalize the figures urgently.
  3. The company is seeking a new project manager _____ possesses exceptional organizational and leadership skills.
  4. The CEO recognized several long-serving employees, many of _____ have contributed significantly to the company's success.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

  1. To _____ should we attribute the successful implementation of the new software system? A) who B) whom C) that D) whose
  2. The board members commended the finance director, _____ they consider an invaluable asset. A) who B) whom C) that D) which
  3. The project proposal, _____ will be reviewed by the steering committee next week, includes a detailed risk assessment. A) who B) whom C) that D) which
  4. The CEO introduced the new Chief Operating Officer, _____ credentials and experience are highly regarded in the industry. A) who B) whom C) whose D) which
  5. All employees, for _____ the training program is mandatory, must register by Friday. A) who B) whom C) that D) which

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The consulting firm worked with a specialist. The company had previously partnered with this specialist on several successful projects.
  2. The board appreciated the dedication of the team members. They presented the quarterly report.
  3. The IT department manages the network infrastructure. It is essential for daily operations.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. whom
  2. them (or me/him/her/us)
  3. who
  4. whom

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B) whom
  2. B) whom
  3. C) that, D) which
  4. C) whose
  5. B) whom

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The consulting firm worked with a specialist with whom the company had previously partnered on several successful projects.
  2. The team members, whom the board appreciated for their dedication, presented the quarterly report.
  3. The IT department manages the network infrastructure, which is essential for daily operations.

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