Who vs. Whom vs. Which: Mastering Relative Pronouns

Understanding the correct usage of “who,” “whom,” and “which” is crucial for clear and grammatically accurate writing. These relative pronouns play a vital role in connecting clauses and providing essential information about nouns. Mastering their usage enhances the precision and sophistication of your writing, making it more effective and professional. This article provides a comprehensive guide to these pronouns, offering definitions, examples, and practice exercises. It is designed to benefit students, writers, and anyone seeking to improve their English grammar skills.

Whether you are preparing for an exam, writing a report, or simply aiming to communicate more effectively, this detailed exploration of “who,” “whom,” and “which” will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to use them correctly. Let’s dive in and unravel the intricacies of these essential grammatical tools.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definitions of Who, Whom, and Which
  • Who
  • Whom
  • Which
• Structural Breakdown
• Types and Categories
  • Restrictive Clauses
  • Nonrestrictive Clauses
• Examples
  • Examples of Who
  • Examples of Whom
  • Examples of Which
  • Mixed Examples
• Usage Rules
  • Rules for Using Who
  • Rules for Using Whom
  • Rules for Using Which
• Common Mistakes
• Practice Exercises
  • Exercise 1: Choosing Who or Whom
  • Exercise 2: Choosing Which
  • Exercise 3: Identifying Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Clauses
• Advanced Topics
  • Prepositions and Relative Pronouns
  • Formal vs. Informal Usage
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Definitions of Who, Whom, and Which

The words “who,” “whom,” and “which” are relative pronouns. They connect a dependent (or relative) clause to an independent clause. Understanding their functions is key to mastering their usage.

This book is a game changer for anyone learning English! Learn English for Adult Beginners: 5 ESL Books in 1 Check Price on Amazon Contains affiliate link

Who

“Who” is a relative pronoun that refers to people. It functions as the subject of a verb in a relative clause. Use “who” when the pronoun is performing the action in the clause.

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. It is used when the person is receiving the action or is the object of a preposition. While less common in informal speech, “whom” maintains a crucial role in formal writing.

Which

“Which” is a relative pronoun that refers to things or animals. It can function as the subject or object in a relative clause. Importantly, “which” is typically used in nonrestrictive clauses, which provide additional, non-essential information. The use of “that” is more common in restrictive clauses. However, “which” can be used in restrictive clauses as well, especially in formal writing.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of sentences using “who,” “whom,” and “which” typically involves an independent clause followed by a relative clause introduced by the pronoun. The relative clause provides additional information about a noun (the antecedent) in the independent clause. The position of the relative clause is crucial for clarity.

The basic structure is: Independent Clause + Relative Pronoun + Relative Clause. The relative clause acts as an adjective, modifying the noun it refers to.

For example:

• The teacher who gave the lecture is an expert in the field. (Who is the subject of “gave.”)
• The student whom the professor praised is very diligent. (Whom is the object of “praised.”)
• The book which I borrowed from the library is very interesting. (Which is the object of “borrowed.”)

Types and Categories

Restrictive Clauses

Restrictive clauses (also called essential clauses) provide information that is necessary to identify the noun they modify. They are essential to the meaning of the sentence. Restrictive clauses are not set off by commas. “Who,” “whom,” and “that” are commonly used in restrictive clauses.

For instance:

• The man who is wearing a hat is my brother. (Identifies which man.)
• The book that I need is on the top shelf. (Identifies which book.)

Nonrestrictive Clauses

Nonrestrictive clauses (also called nonessential clauses) provide additional information about the noun they modify, but this information is not essential for identifying the noun. They are set off by commas. “Who,” “whom,” and “which” can be used in nonrestrictive clauses, but “that” is generally not used in nonrestrictive clauses.

For instance:

• My mother, who is a doctor, is very busy. (Adds extra information about my mother.)
• The Eiffel Tower, which is a famous landmark, attracts many tourists. (Adds extra information about the Eiffel Tower.)

Examples

Examples of Who

The following table provides examples of sentences using “who” as a relative pronoun. Notice how “who” acts as the subject of the verb in the relative clause. The table includes 30 examples for comprehensive understanding.

Examples of Whom

The following table provides examples of sentences using “whom” as a relative pronoun. Note that “whom” functions as the object of a verb or preposition in the relative clause. The table includes 30 examples demonstrating various usages.

Examples of Which

The following table provides examples of sentences using “which” as a relative pronoun. Note that “which” refers to things or animals and can act as either the subject or object in the relative clause. The table includes 30 examples showcasing diverse applications of “which”.

Mixed Examples

This table combines examples using “who,” “whom,” and “which” to illustrate their different functions within similar contexts. This comparative approach helps to solidify understanding. This table includes 20 examples.

Usage Rules

Rules for Using Who

Rule 1: Use “who” when referring to people and when the pronoun is the subject of the verb in the relative clause.
Rule 2: “Who” is used in both restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses.

Example:

• The woman who is speaking is the CEO. (Subject of “is speaking”)
• My neighbor, who is a retired teacher, volunteers at the library. (Nonrestrictive clause)

Rules for Using Whom

Rule 1: Use “whom” when referring to people and when the pronoun is the object of the verb or a preposition in the relative clause.
Rule 2: In modern English, “whom” is becoming less common, and “who” is often used instead, especially in informal contexts. However, “whom” is still preferred in formal writing and when it follows a preposition.

Example:

• The man whom I saw yesterday is my boss. (Object of “saw”)
• The person to whom I sent the letter is my friend. (Object of the preposition “to”)

Rules for Using Which

Rule 1: Use “which” when referring to things or animals.
Rule 2: “Which” is typically used in nonrestrictive clauses, which are set off by commas. “That” is generally preferred for restrictive clauses, although “which” can be used.

Example:

• The car, which is red, is parked outside. (Nonrestrictive clause)
• The book which I borrowed from the library is overdue. (Restrictive clause, formal)

Common Mistakes

One of the most common mistakes is using “who” when “whom” is required, and vice versa. This often occurs when writers fail to identify whether the pronoun is acting as the subject or object in the relative clause. Another frequent error is using “which” to refer to people.

Incorrect: The man who I saw him yesterday is my friend.
Correct: The man whom I saw yesterday is my friend.

Incorrect: The student which is studying hard will succeed.
Correct: The student who is studying hard will succeed.

Incorrect: My friend, which is a doctor, is very busy.
Correct: My friend, who is a doctor, is very busy.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Choosing Who or Whom

Choose the correct pronoun, “who” or “whom,” to complete each sentence.

Exercise 2: Choosing Which

Complete each sentence using “which” correctly.

Answers:

Exercise 3: Identifying Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Clauses

Identify whether the clause is restrictive or nonrestrictive and punctuate accordingly.

Advanced Topics

Prepositions and Relative Pronouns

In formal writing, prepositions often precede “whom” in relative clauses. For example, “to whom,” “with whom,” “by whom,” etc. In less formal contexts, the preposition can sometimes be moved to the end of the clause, but this is generally discouraged in formal writing.

Formal: The person to whom I spoke was very helpful.
Informal: The person who I spoke to was very helpful.

Formal vs. Informal Usage

While “whom” is grammatically correct in many situations, it is becoming less common in everyday speech and informal writing. In informal contexts, it is often acceptable to use “who” in place of “whom.” However, in formal writing, especially in academic or professional settings, it is important to use “whom” correctly to maintain a polished and professional tone.

FAQ

Q1: When should I use “who” versus “whom”?

A1: Use “who” when the pronoun is the subject of a verb in the relative clause. Use “whom” when the pronoun is the object of a verb or a preposition. If you can replace the pronoun with “he/she/they,” use “who.” If you can replace it with “him/her/them,” use “whom.”

Q2: Can I use “that” instead of “which”?

A2: Yes, “that” can be used in restrictive clauses to refer to things or animals. However, “that” is generally not used in nonrestrictive clauses, where “which” is preferred.

Q3: Is it okay to use “who” instead of “whom” in informal writing?

A3: Yes, in informal writing and speech, it is often acceptable to use “who” in place of “whom.” However, in formal writing, it is best to use “whom” correctly.

Q4: How do I identify a restrictive versus a nonrestrictive clause?

A4: A restrictive clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence and is not set off by commas. A nonrestrictive clause provides additional, non-essential information and is set off by commas.

Q5: What happens if I use “which” to refer to a person?

A5: Using “which” to refer to a person is grammatically incorrect. You should use “who” or “whom” when referring to people.

Q6: How can I practice using “who,” “whom,” and “which” correctly?

A6: Practice by writing sentences using each pronoun in different contexts. Pay attention to whether the pronoun is acting as the subject or object in the relative clause. Review grammar rules and examples regularly, and seek feedback on your writing.

Q7: Are there any exceptions to the rules for using “who,” “whom,” and “which”?

A7: While the rules provided are generally applicable, there can be nuanced situations where usage may vary. Consulting a comprehensive grammar guide or style manual can provide further clarification in such cases.

Q8: Is the use of “whom” really dying out?

A8: While “whom” is less frequently used in casual speech and informal writing, it remains an important part of formal English. It is still widely used and considered correct in formal writing, academic papers, and professional communication. Knowing how to use “whom” correctly demonstrates a strong command of English grammar.

Conclusion

Mastering the usage of “who,” “whom,” and “which” is a vital step toward achieving clarity and precision in your writing. By understanding their functions as relative pronouns and following the rules outlined in this article, you can confidently construct grammatically correct and sophisticated sentences. Remember to consider whether the pronoun is the subject or object in the clause and whether the clause is restrictive or nonrestrictive.

Practice is key to solidifying your understanding. Review the examples, complete the exercises, and pay attention to how these pronouns are used in various texts. With consistent effort, you will be able to use “who,” “whom,” and “which” with accuracy and ease, enhancing the effectiveness of your communication. Keep practicing, and you’ll master these pronouns in no time!

Mr. Terban

I’m James Terban, a teacher with a degree in Education and five years of experience working with students of all ages, from young kids learning their first grammar rules to adults picking up English as a second language. I started Linguistics Guide because I kept seeing good learners hit a wall due to explanations that were either too vague or too complicated. Every article here comes from a real question I have heard in a classroom or seen asked online.