Who vs. Whom (Subject and Object Pronouns)

Who and whom are two relative pronouns. These relative pronouns cause the most confusion among English language writers. It is simple to understand which one to use in a sentence. You just need to remember who is a subject pronoun and whom is an object pronoun.

Who functions like other subject pronouns: I, we, she/he, and they. In contrast, whom works like other object pronouns: him, us, me, her, and them. Generally, people do not get bewildered by the object use of pronouns. Object pronouns come after a modifying verb or preposition. For this reason, they are easier to identify. For example:

• Please give the girl to me.
• The woman bought them a cat.

The examples above show how the prepositions/verbs (bolded) precedes the object pronouns (italicized). The personal pronoun whom deviates from this sequence. In this case, the object pronoun whom comes before the verb or preposition that seeks to modify it. For example:

• Whom should I direct myanger towards?
• The man was as bitter as the twins, whom he described as sore losers.

You can use an alternative personal pronoun in place of who or whom to decipher the correct word to use. If the sentence works with an object pronoun you use whom. If it works with a subject pronoun then who is the word needed. In the first example, you can substitute her. The subject pronoun she would make no sense.

• Correct: Should I direct my anger towards her?
• Incorrect: Should I direct my anger towards she.

Common Mistakes with Pronouns

Choosing a singular pronoun for a plural noun

The problem many people have with pronouns is choosing the right form to replace the noun. Sometimes people will replace a singular noun with a plural pronoun or a plural noun with a singular pronoun.

• Incorrect: The guest needs their own towel.
• Correct: The guest needs his/her own towel.

Object and subject pronoun misuse

Problems arise when people have to choose between the subject and object cases. You need to know which case to use when replacing a noun. Otherwise, your sentence will not be grammatically correct.

Subject pronouns represent a noun performing an action. In contrast, an object receives the action performed by the subject.

• Incorrect: Between you and I, miracles happen.
• Correct: Between you and me, miracles happen.

You would use the object case because it is part of a prepositional phrase.

Incorrect reflexive pronoun use

People often use reflexive pronouns wrong when they try to write formally. You use reflective pronouns when the subject is also the object of a sentence. For example, you would not write Mary hurt Mary. Instead, you would write Mary hurt herself. You would use the reflexive pronoun herself instead of Mary.

You can also use reflective pronouns for emphasis; however, it not commonly used. For example, I myself went to the store. This example highlights the fact the person when to the store alone.

Pronouns Examples | Picture

Types of Pronouns and List of Pronouns – Image 2

Pronoun Video

https://7esl.com/english-pronouns/

 

Conclusion

Pronouns are words which are used as a replacement for a noun and are commonly seen throughout the English language. There are various types of pronouns and certain rules that must be followed in order to create a grammatically correct sentence.

Pronoun Quiz Exercises

Pronoun Quiz #1

Select the correct pronoun in each question.

1. Piper asked ____ friend to pass the salt. her or she

2. My aunt needs ____ tires changed. her or she

3. My cousin and ____ went to the zoo. I or me

4. Did the dogs find ____? we or us

5. The girls had ____ tonsils removed. her or their

6. Where did ____ go? you or us

7. When will ______ visit the cabin? they or them

8. After school, ______ went the doctor. her or she

Pronoun Quiz # 2