whom

[ hoom ]

pronoun

1. the objective case of who none:

   Whom did you call? Of whom are you speaking? With whom did you stay?

2. the dative case of who none:

   You gave whom the book?

whom

/ huːm /

pronoun

1. the objective form of who , used when who is not the subject of its own clause

   whom did you say you had seen?

   he can't remember whom he saw

Usage

It was formerly considered correct to use whom whenever the objective form of who was required. This is no longer thought to be necessary and the objective form who is now commonly used, even in formal writing: there were several people there who he had met before . Who cannot be used directly after a preposition – the preposition is usually displaced, as in the man ( who ) he sold his car to . In formal writing whom is preferred in sentences like these: the man to whom he sold his car . There are some types of sentence in which who cannot be used: the refugees, many of whom were old and ill, were allowed across the border

Confusables Note

See who none.

Word History and Origins

Origin of whom¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English hwām, dative of interrogative pronoun hwā who none

Word History and Origins

Origin of whom¹

Old English hwām, dative of hwā who

Example Sentences

I mentioned his first group of nominees earlier this week, none of whom have anything to particularly qualify them for these jobs but who at least have some government experience behind them.

From Salon

The nominee hails from one of the most famous families in Democratic politics as the son of US Attorney General Robert F Kennedy and nephew of President John F Kennedy, both of whom were assassinated in the 1960s.

From BBC

Washington has won 19 consecutive home games — the longest home win streak in modern school history — and will have a “Blackout” theme on the night it honors its seniors, a handful of whom have played for four head coaches going back to Chris Petersen.

From Los Angeles Times

The inquiry had already heard from government officials and advisers, academic experts and representatives of bereaved families, many of whom were extremely critical of his actions.

From BBC

He also bore a resemblance to an e-fit of a man with whom Ms Lamplugh was seen talking to on the day she went missing - thought to be the mysterious Mr Kipper.

From BBC