Understanding the correct usage of “who” and “whom” can be a challenge for many people, even for native English speakers. These two seemingly similar words often lead to confusion due to their pronunciation and the fact that they both function as relative pronouns. However, knowing when to use each one is essential for proper grammar and effective communication. Follow these six steps to correctly use “who” and “whom” in your everyday conversations and writing.

1. Understand the function of “who.”

“Who” is a subject pronoun used to identify the person performing an action. It plays the same role as other subject pronouns like “I,” “he,” “she,” “they,” and “we.” When you want to refer to the person doing something in a sentence, use “who.”

Example: Who made this delicious cake?

2. Grasp the purpose of “whom.”

Unlike “who,” “whom” is an object pronoun, which means it refers to the person receiving an action or the target of a verb or preposition. Other object pronouns include “me,” “him,” “her,” “them,” and “us.” Use this word when you need to talk about someone directly affected by an action.

Example: To whom should I send this package?

3. Substitute with he/she or him/her.

A quick tip for deciding whether to use “who” or “whom” is simply replacing them with he/she (subject pronouns) or him/her (object pronouns) in your sentence. If he/she makes sense in your sentence, then choose “who”. If him/her fits better, pick “whom”.

Example: (Who/Whom) should I call? –> Should I call (he/him)? In this case, ‘him’ fits—so you would use ‘whom’: Whom should I call?

4. Identify the verb and its subject.

Look for the main verb in the sentence and determine whether the pronoun, in question, is responsible for performing the action. If yes, then you should use “who.” If not, you need to use “whom.”

Example: The person (who/whom) bought the car was thrilled. – The subject ‘person’ performs the action ‘bought,’ so you would use ‘who’: The person who bought the car was thrilled.

5. Consider the preposition rule.

When a pronoun follows a preposition, such as “to,” “for,” “by,” “with,” “about,” or “between,” always use “whom.”

Example: The child for whom I bought this toy loves it.

6. Practice and master both words.

Finally, the most effective way to become proficient in using “who” and “whom” correctly is to practice. Read books, articles, or any written source where these words are properly used. In time, your understanding of their usage will improve and become second nature.

In conclusion, mastering the correct usage of “who” and “whom” may seem daunting initially. However, if you take these six simple steps into account when constructing your sentences and engaging in conversations, you will ultimately gain confidence and communicate more effectively in English.