Who vs.

Whom
Rule
Use the he/him method to decide which word is correct. he = who him = whom Examples: Who/Whom wrote the letter? He wrote the letter. Therefore, who is correct. For who/whom should I vote? Should I vote for him? Therefore, whom is correct. We all know who/whom pulled that prank. This sentence contains two clauses: We all know and who/whom pulled that prank. We are interested in the second clause because it contains the who/whom. He pulled that prank. Therefore, who is correct. (Are you starting to sound like a hooting owl yet?) We want to know on who/whom the prank was pulled. This sentence contains two clauses: We want to know and the prank was pulled on who/whom. Again, we are interested in the second clause because it contains the who/whom. The prank was pulled on him. Therefore, whom is correct.

Who, Whom, Whoever, Whomever Quiz

1. Choose the correct sentence. A) Whom is your closest friend? B) Who is your closest friend? 2. Choose the correct sentence. A) Who do you bank with? B) Whom do you bank with? 3. Choose the correct sentence. A) Who do you think will win the award? B) Whom do you think will win the award?

4. Choose the correct sentence. A) Clare knows whom the winner is already. B) Clare knows who the winner is already. 5. Choose the correct sentence. A) Omar will talk about his girlfriend with whoever asks him. B) Omar will talk about his girlfriend with whomever asks him. 6. Choose the correct sentence. A) Kimiko donates her time to whoever needs it most. B) Kimiko donates her time to whomever needs it most. 7. Choose the correct sentence. A) Quinton will work on the project with whomever you suggest. B) Quinton will work on the project with whoever you suggest. 8. Choose the correct sentence. A) Whom was that in the clown costume? B) Who was that in the clown costume? 9. Choose the correct sentence. A) Kathy was not sure who she was voting for. B) Kathy was not sure whom she was voting for. 10. Choose the correct sentence. A) Whoever wins the lottery will become a millionaire. B) Whomever wins the lottery will become a millionaire.

Quiz Results
1. Choose the correct sentence. Correct Answer: B Who is your closest friend?

Explanation: "he = who" "him = whom" You would say, "He is your closest friend."

2. Choose the correct sentence. Correct Answer: B Whom do you bank with? OR With whom do you bank?

Explanation: "he = who" "him = whom" You would say, "Do you bank with him?" Note: You may end a sentence with a preposition such as "with."

3. Choose the correct sentence. Correct Answer: A Who do you think will win the award?

Explanation: "he = who" "him = whom" You would say, "Do you think he will win the award?"

4. Choose the correct sentence. Correct Answer: B Clare knows who the winner is already.

Explanation: "he = who" "him = whom" You would say, "Clare knows. He is the winner already."

5. Choose the correct sentence. Correct Answer: A Omar will talk about his girlfriend with whoever asks him.

Explanation: "him" + "he" = "whoever" "him" + "him" = "whomever" You would say, Omar will talk about his girlfriend with him. He asks Omar."

6. Choose the correct sentence. Correct Answer: A Kimiko donates her time to whoever needs it most.

Explanation: "him" + "he" = "whoever" "him" + "him" = "whomever" You would say, "Kimiko donates her time to him. He needs it most."

7. Choose the correct sentence. Correct Answer: A Quinton will work on the project with whomever you suggest.

Explanation: "him" + "he" = "whoever" "him" + "him" = "whomever" You would say, "Quinton will work on the project with him. You suggest him."

8. Choose the correct sentence. Correct Answer: B Who was that in the clown costume?

Explanation: "he = who" "him = whom" You would say, "He was that."

9. Choose the correct sentence. Correct Answer: B Kathy was not sure whom she was voting for. [It is an old wives' tale that you can't end a sentence with a preposition. Just don't end sentences with extra prepositions.] Explanation: "he = who" "him = whom" You would say, "Kathy was not sure. She was voting for him."

10. Choose the correct sentence. Correct Answer: A Whoever wins the lottery will become a millionaire.

Explanation: When the entire whoever/whomever clause is the subject of the verb that follows the clause, look inside the first clause to determine whether to use whoever or whomever. In this sentence, you would say, "He wins the lottery." Therefore, use "whoever."