whom
Definition
Pronoun (interrogative):
- What person or people?: "whom" is used as the object form of "who" in questions, asking which person(s) receive the action.
- Example: Whom did you call? (You called which person?)
Pronoun (relative):
- The person(s) that: "whom" introduces a relative clause, referring to the object of a verb or preposition.
- Example: The man whom I met is kind. (I met the man; he is the object of "met".)
Usage Examples
Interrogative:
- Whom should I invite to the party? (Which person should be invited?)
- With whom are you traveling? (You are traveling with which person?)
Relative:
- She is the teacher whom I admire most. (I admire the teacher; she is the object of "admire".)
- The candidates, several of whom were late, waited outside. (The candidates waited; several of them were late.)
Advanced Usage
- Formal register: "whom" is considered formal or literary; in casual speech, "who" often replaces it as an object.
- Whom did you see? (Formal) vs. Who did you see? (Informal)
- After prepositions: "whom" is required after prepositions in formal English.
- To whom it may concern. (Formal letter opening)
- For whom the bell tolls. (Literary phrase)
Variants and Related Words
Whomever (pronoun): the object form of "whoever".
- Give the prize to whomever you choose. (You choose any person; they receive the prize.)
Whomst (informal, humorous): a nonstandard, exaggerated form of "whom".
- Whomst has summoned me? (Playful, archaic-sounding question.)
Synonyms
- Who (informal): used as an object in casual contexts.
- Who did you see? (Equivalent to "Whom did you see?" but less formal.)
Related Idioms
To whom it may concern: a standard salutation for letters when the recipient is unknown.
- I am writing a letter of recommendation: "To whom it may concern."
Whom the gods love die young: a proverbial expression meaning that those favored by fate die early.
- He passed away at 25 — whom the gods love die young.