Navigating the nuances of “who,” “whom,” and “which” can be a tricky task for English language learners and even native speakers. These relative pronouns play a crucial role in connecting clauses and adding detail to sentences, but using them incorrectly can lead to awkward or grammatically incorrect constructions.
This comprehensive guide breaks down the rules, provides clear examples, and offers practical exercises to help you master the correct usage of these essential words. Whether you’re an ESL student, a writer looking to refine your skills, or simply someone who wants to improve their grammar, this article will provide the knowledge and tools you need.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definitions
- Structural Breakdown
- Usage Rules
- Examples
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definitions
Understanding the definitions of “who,” “whom,” and “which” is the first step to using them correctly. These words function as relative pronouns, connecting a relative clause to a main clause.
A relative clause provides additional information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause, known as the antecedent.
Who
Who is a relative pronoun that refers to people. It functions as the subject of a verb in a relative clause. This means that “who” performs the action described by the verb in the clause. “Who” is used when the person being referred to is the one doing something.
Whom
Whom is also a relative pronoun that refers to people, but it functions as the object of a verb or a preposition in a relative clause. This means that “whom” receives the action of the verb or is the object of a preposition. “Whom” is used when the person being referred to is having something done to them, or when they are the object of a preposition.
Which
Which is a relative pronoun that refers to things or animals. It can function as either the subject or the object of a verb in a relative clause. Unlike “who” and “whom,” “which” is not used to refer to people. Additionally, “which” is typically used to introduce nonrestrictive clauses, which add extra information that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence and are set off by commas.
Structural Breakdown
To fully grasp the usage of “who,” “whom,” and “which,” it’s essential to understand the structure of sentences in which they appear. This involves identifying relative clauses and their antecedents.
Relative Clauses
A relative clause is a dependent clause that modifies a noun or pronoun. It begins with a relative pronoun (who, whom, which, that) or a relative adverb (where, when, why). The relative clause provides additional information about the noun or pronoun it modifies. Relative clauses can be either restrictive (essential to the meaning of the sentence) or nonrestrictive (non-essential and set off by commas).
For example, in the sentence “The woman who lives next door is a doctor,” the relative clause “who lives next door” modifies the noun “woman.”
Antecedents
The antecedent is the noun or pronoun that the relative clause refers to or modifies. It is the word that the relative pronoun is standing in for. Identifying the antecedent is crucial for choosing the correct relative pronoun. If the antecedent is a person, you will use “who” or “whom.” If the antecedent is a thing or animal, you will use “which” or “that.”
In the sentence “The book which I borrowed from the library is overdue,” the antecedent is “book.”
Usage Rules
The correct usage of “who,” “whom,” and “which” depends on their function within the relative clause. Here are the specific rules for each pronoun.
Rules for Using Who
Use “who” when the relative pronoun is the subject of the relative clause. This means that the person being referred to is performing the action of the verb in the clause. To determine if “who” is correct, try replacing “who” with “he,” “she,” or “they.” If the sentence still makes sense, then “who” is the correct choice.
Examples:
- The student who studies diligently will succeed. (He studies diligently)
- The teacher who gave the lecture is an expert in the field. (She gave the lecture)
- The athletes who trained hard won the competition. (They trained hard)
Rules for Using Whom
Use “whom” when the relative pronoun is the object of the verb or the object of a preposition in the relative clause. This means the person being referred to is receiving the action of the verb, or is the object of a preposition. To determine if “whom” is correct, try replacing “whom” with “him,” “her,” or “them.” If the sentence still makes sense, then “whom” is the correct choice.
Examples:
- The author whom I admire has written many books. (I admire him)
- The candidate whom the committee selected is highly qualified. (The committee selected her)
- The students whom the professor taught excelled in their studies. (The professor taught them)
Rules for Using Which
Use “which” to refer to things or animals. “Which” can function as either the subject or the object of the verb in the relative clause. “Which” is typically used to introduce nonrestrictive clauses, which provide additional, non-essential information and are set off by commas.
Examples:
- The car, which is very old, still runs well.
- The book which I borrowed from the library is overdue.
- The dog, which was wagging its tail, greeted me at the door.
That vs. Which
While “which” is used for nonrestrictive clauses, “that” is used for restrictive clauses. A restrictive clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence and is not set off by commas. “That” can refer to things or people. In many cases, “that” is preferred over “which” for restrictive clauses, especially in American English.
Examples:
- The car that I bought is very reliable. (Restrictive clause – specifies which car)
- The book that I’m reading is fascinating. (Restrictive clause – specifies which book)
Examples
The following tables provide a comprehensive list of examples to illustrate the correct usage of “who,” “whom,” and “which” in various contexts.
Who Examples
The table below illustrates the use of “who” as a subject in relative clauses, referring to people.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The doctor who treated me was very kind. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “treated.” The doctor treated me. |
| The teacher who teaches English is from England. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “teaches.” The teacher teaches English. |
| The students who study hard usually get good grades. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “study.” The students study hard. |
| The man who is standing by the door is my brother. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “is standing.” The man is standing. |
| The woman who wrote this book is a famous author. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “wrote.” The woman wrote this book. |
| The artist who painted this picture is very talented. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “painted.” The artist painted this picture. |
| The musician who played the piano was amazing. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “played.” The musician played the piano. |
| The chef who cooked the meal is very experienced. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “cooked.” The chef cooked the meal. |
| The engineer who designed the bridge is a genius. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “designed.” The engineer designed the bridge. |
| The scientist who discovered the cure is a hero. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “discovered.” The scientist discovered the cure. |
| The lawyer who defended him was very persuasive. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “defended.” The lawyer defended him. |
| The politician who gave the speech was well-received. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “gave.” The politician gave the speech. |
| The activist who protested the law was arrested. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “protested.” The activist protested the law. |
| The volunteer who helped at the shelter was compassionate. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “helped.” The volunteer helped at the shelter. |
| The neighbor who offered assistance was very kind. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “offered.” The neighbor offered assistance. |
| The child who found the lost dog was rewarded. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “found.” The child found the lost dog. |
| The student who asked the question was very curious. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “asked.” The student asked the question. |
| The employee who completed the project was promoted. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “completed.” The employee completed the project. |
| The athlete who broke the record was celebrated. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “broke.” The athlete broke the record. |
| The singer who performed the song was very talented. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “performed.” The singer performed the song. |
| The writer who crafted the story was imaginative. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “crafted.” The writer crafted the story. |
| The filmmaker who directed the movie was innovative. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “directed.” The filmmaker directed the movie. |
| The inventor who created the device was ingenious. | “Who” is the subject of the verb “created.” The inventor created the device. |
Whom Examples
The table below illustrates the use of “whom” as an object in relative clauses, referring to people.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The man whom I saw yesterday is my friend. | “Whom” is the object of the verb “saw.” I saw him yesterday. |
| The woman whom the company hired is very qualified. | “Whom” is the object of the verb “hired.” The company hired her. |
| The students whom the teacher praised were very happy. | “Whom” is the object of the verb “praised.” The teacher praised them. |
| The candidate whom we supported won the election. | “Whom” is the object of the verb “supported.” We supported him/her. |
| The author whom I admire has written many books. | “Whom” is the object of the verb “admire.” I admire him/her. |
| The actor whom the director chose is very talented. | “Whom” is the object of the verb “chose.” The director chose him/her. |
| The musician whom the audience applauded was thrilled. | “Whom” is the object of the verb “applauded.” The audience applauded him/her. |
| The artist whom the critics praised is well-respected. | “Whom” is the object of the verb “praised.” The critics praised him/her. |
| The chef whom the guests complimented was delighted. | “Whom” is the object of the verb “complimented.” The guests complimented him/her. |
| The engineer whom the company recruited is very skilled. | “Whom” is the object of the verb “recruited.” The company recruited him/her. |
| The lawyer to whom I spoke was very helpful. | “Whom” is the object of the preposition “to.” I spoke to him. |
| The politician about whom the article was written is controversial. | “Whom” is the object of the preposition “about.” The article was written about him. |
| The activist for whom we campaigned is now in office. | “Whom” is the object of the preposition “for.” We campaigned for him. |
| The volunteer with whom I worked was very dedicated. | “Whom” is the object of the preposition “with.” I worked with him. |
| The neighbor from whom I borrowed the tool was friendly. | “Whom” is the object of the preposition “from.” I borrowed the tool from him. |
| The child by whom the story was inspired is imaginative. | “Whom” is the object of the preposition “by.” The story was inspired by him. |
| The student to whom the award was given is deserving. | “Whom” is the object of the preposition “to.” The award was given to him. |
| The employee for whom the company invested is valuable. | “Whom” is the object of the preposition “for.” The company invested for him. |
| The athlete about whom the documentary was made is inspiring. | “Whom” is the object of the preposition “about.” The documentary was made about him. |
| The singer with whom she collaborated is famous. | “Whom” is the object of the preposition “with.” She collaborated with him. |
| The writer on whom the study focused is influential. | “Whom” is the object of the preposition “on.” The study focused on him. |
| The filmmaker by whom the film was produced is talented. | “Whom” is the object of the preposition “by.” The film was produced by him. |
| The inventor from whom we bought the patent is innovative. | “Whom” is the object of the preposition “from.” We bought the patent from him. |
Which Examples
The table below illustrates the use of “which” to refer to things or animals.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The car, which is very old, still runs well. | “Which” refers to the car and introduces a nonrestrictive clause. |
| The book which I borrowed from the library is overdue. | “Which” refers to the book. |
| The dog, which was wagging its tail, greeted me at the door. | “Which” refers to the dog and introduces a nonrestrictive clause. |
| The house which is located on the hill has a beautiful view. | “Which” refers to the house. |
| The computer, which I bought last year, is already outdated. | “Which” refers to the computer and introduces a nonrestrictive clause. |
| The painting which hangs in the museum is very famous. | “Which” refers to the painting. |
| The tree, which is over 100 years old, provides a lot of shade. | “Which” refers to the tree and introduces a nonrestrictive clause. |
| The city which I visited last summer is very beautiful. | “Which” refers to the city. |
| The song, which was released in 1990, is still popular today. | “Which” refers to the song and introduces a nonrestrictive clause. |
| The movie which won the award was very moving. | “Which” refers to the movie. |
| The phone, which I just bought, has a cracked screen. | “Which” refers to the phone and introduces a nonrestrictive clause. |
| The food which he cooked was delicious. | “Which” refers to the food. |
| The machine, which needs to be repaired, is essential for production. | “Which” refers to the machine and introduces a nonrestrictive clause. |
| The project which she led was a success. | “Which” refers to the project. |
| The game, which I played all night, was very addictive. | “Which” refers to the game and introduces a nonrestrictive clause. |
| The course which he took was very challenging. | “Which” refers to the course. |
| The event, which was held last week, was very successful. | “Which” refers to the event and introduces a nonrestrictive clause. |
| The experiment which they conducted was groundbreaking. | “Which” refers to the experiment. |
| The system, which is very complex, requires specialized training. | “Which” refers to the system and introduces a nonrestrictive clause. |
| The tool which I used to fix the car was very helpful. | “Which” refers to the tool. |
| The app, which he developed, is very popular. | “Which” refers to the app and introduces a nonrestrictive clause. |
| The theory which she proposed is revolutionary. | “Which” refers to the theory. |
| The process, which is automated, saves a lot of time. | “Which” refers to the process and introduces a nonrestrictive clause. |
| The formula which they discovered is significant. | “Which” refers to the formula. |
Common Mistakes
One of the most common errors is confusing “who” and “whom.” Another frequent mistake is using “which” instead of “that” in restrictive clauses. Understanding these common pitfalls can help you avoid errors in your writing.
Who vs. Whom Mistakes
The most frequent mistake is using “who” when “whom” is required, and vice versa. This usually happens because people are unsure of the grammatical function of the pronoun within the relative clause.
Remember to determine whether the pronoun is the subject or the object of the verb. If you can replace the pronoun with “he/she/they,” use “who.” If you can replace it with “him/her/them,” use “whom.”
Incorrect: The man who I gave the book to is my uncle.
Correct: The man whom I gave the book to is my uncle. (I gave the book to him.)
Incorrect: The person whom is in charge should make a decision.
Correct: The person who is in charge should make a decision. (He/She is in charge.)
Which vs. That Mistakes
Another common mistake is using “which” in restrictive clauses, where “that” is more appropriate. Remember that “which” is typically used for nonrestrictive clauses, which are set off by commas, while “that” is used for restrictive clauses, which are essential to the meaning of the sentence and are not set off by commas.
Incorrect: The car, that I bought last year, is very reliable.
Correct: The car that I bought last year is very reliable. (Specifies which car.)
Incorrect: The book which is on the table is mine.
Correct: The book that is on the table is mine. (Specifies which book.)
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of “who,” “whom,” and “which” with these practice exercises. Each exercise focuses on a specific aspect of these relative pronouns.
Exercise 1: Who vs. Whom
Choose the correct pronoun (“who” or “whom”) to complete each sentence.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. The woman ______ I met yesterday is a doctor. | whom |
| 2. The man ______ is standing over there is my father. | who |
| 3. The students ______ the teacher praised were very happy. | whom |
| 4. The person ______ called me was very polite. | who |
| 5. The candidate ______ we supported won the election. | whom |
| 6. The author ______ wrote the book is very famous. | who |
| 7. The actor ______ the director chose is very talented. | whom |
| 8. The musician ______ played the piano was amazing. | who |
| 9. The chef ______ the guests complimented was delighted. | whom |
| 10. The engineer ______ designed the bridge is a genius. | who |
Exercise 2: Which vs. That
Choose the correct pronoun (“which” or “that”) to complete each sentence.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. The car ______ I bought last year is very reliable. | that |
| 2. The book, ______ is on the table, is mine. | which |
| 3. The house ______ is located on the hill has a beautiful view. | that |
| 4. The computer, ______ I use for work, is very fast. | which |
| 5. The painting ______ hangs in the museum is very famous. | that |
| 6. The tree, ______ is over 100 years old, provides a lot of shade. | which |
| 7. The city ______ I visited last summer is very beautiful. | that |
| 8. The song, ______ was released in 1990, is still popular today. | which |
| 9. The movie ______ won the award was very moving. | that |
| 10. The phone, ______ I just bought, has a cracked screen. | which |
Exercise 3: Mixed Practice
Choose the correct pronoun (“who,” “whom,” or “which”) to complete each sentence.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. The doctor ______ treated me was very kind. | who |
| 2. The book ______ I borrowed from the library is overdue. | which |
| 3. The man ______ I saw yesterday is my friend. | whom |
| 4. The car, ______ is very old, still runs well. | which |
| 5. The teacher ______ teaches English is from England. | who |
| 6. The students ______ the teacher praised were very happy. | whom |
| 7. The house ______ is located on the hill has a beautiful view. | which |
| 8. The person ______ called me was very polite. | who |
| 9. The candidate ______ we supported won the election. | whom |
| 10. The movie ______ won the award was very moving. | which |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, understanding the nuances of prepositional phrases with “whom” and the subtle differences between formal and informal usage can further refine their grammar skills.
Prepositions with Whom
When a preposition precedes the relative pronoun, “whom” is generally required, especially in formal writing. The preposition and “whom” together introduce a relative clause that modifies the antecedent.
While it’s becoming more common to move the preposition to the end of the clause in informal speech, maintaining the preposition before “whom” is considered grammatically correct in formal contexts.
Formal: The person to whom I spoke was very helpful.
Informal: The person who I spoke to was very helpful.
Formal vs. Informal Usage
In informal English, the use of “whom” is declining. It is often replaced by “who” or omitted entirely, especially when the preposition is moved to the end of the clause.
However, in formal writing and speech, it’s still important to use “whom” correctly to maintain a polished and professional tone. While omitting the relative pronoun is acceptable in many informal contexts, using “who” or “whom” adds clarity and precision to the sentence.
Formal: The employee whom the company recognized received an award.
Informal: The employee who the company recognized received an award.
Informal: The employee the company recognized received an award.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about “who,” “whom,” and “which,” along with detailed answers to clarify common points of confusion.
- Q: How do I know when to use “who” vs. “whom”?
A: Determine the pronoun’s function in the relative clause. If it’s the subject, use “who.” If it’s the object of a verb or preposition, use “whom.” Try replacing the pronoun with “he/she/they” for “who” and “him/her/them” for “whom.” If the sentence still makes sense, you’ve chosen the correct pronoun.
- Q: Is it okay to use “who” instead of “whom” in modern English?
A: In informal English, using “who” instead of “whom” is becoming increasingly common and is often accepted. However, in formal writing and speech, it’s still best to use “whom” when it functions as the object of a verb or preposition to maintain grammatical correctness and a polished tone.
- Q: What’s the difference between “which” and “that”?
A: “Which” is used for nonrestrictive clauses, which provide additional, non-essential information and are set off by commas. “That” is used for restrictive clauses, which are essential to the meaning of the sentence and are not set off by commas. “That” is often preferred over “which” for restrictive clauses, especially in American English.
- Q: Can “who,” “whom,” or “which” be omitted from a sentence?
A: Yes, in some cases, the relative pronoun can be omitted, especially in informal English. This is most common when the pronoun is the object of the verb in the relative clause. For example, “The book I read was interesting” is acceptable, where “which” or “that” is omitted.
- Q: What if the antecedent could be either a person or a thing?
A: If the antecedent is clearly a person, use “who” or “whom.” If it’s clearly a thing, use “which” or “that.” If the antecedent could be interpreted as either, try to rephrase the sentence for clarity. For example, if you’re referring to a team, which is a group of people but also a singular entity, it might be better to use “that” or rephrase to refer to the individuals on the team.
- Q: How do I handle prepositions with “whom”?
A: In formal writing, the preposition usually precedes “whom” (e.g., “to whom,” “from whom”). In informal English, it’s more common to move the preposition to the end of the clause (e.g., ”
whom I spoke to”).
- Q: Are there any exceptions to these rules?
A: While the guidelines provided cover most cases, language is always evolving. Context and style often play a role in determining the best choice. However, adhering to these rules will generally ensure correct and clear communication.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of “who,” “whom,” and “which” is essential for clear and effective communication. By understanding their definitions, structural roles, and usage rules, you can confidently construct grammatically correct and nuanced sentences.
While common mistakes are easy to make, consistent practice and attention to detail will improve your proficiency. Remember to consider the context, formality, and intended audience when making your choices.
With these tools and insights, you can elevate your writing and speaking skills to a higher level of precision and clarity.