YOUR ESL TEACHER: WHO/WHOM

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WHICH WORD?

Who / Whom
UPDATED:   MAR 2022
"Whom" is used in written and sometimes spoken English in formal situations.

Don't spent time learning this unless you are in an academic environment or you plan to take the TOEFL or IELTS.

In day-to-day conversation, "who" is used.

Who

+ to be + subject

Who
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+ auxiliary + action verb


EXAMPLES:

  1. Who is your English teacher?  John.

  2. Who are those men in black suits?

  3. Who was the manager when you worked at HP?

  4. Who will be the next President of the US?  
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  5. Who did you go to the movie with?
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  6. With whom did you go to the move?  (formal gammar)
 Whom

+ auxiliary + action verb

(Remember: this is formal English.  Seldom used in day-to-day conversation or writing.

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EXAMPLES:

(This is formal and you will rarely hear it used in common everyday spoken English.)

  1. With whom did you go to the bank?   
    I went to the bank with Li Ka-shing, the richest man in Hong Kong!

  2. For whom did you buy the pizza?  
    I bought it for Madonna.

  3. Whom did you vote for in the last election?