# whom

/ˈhum/ (US) · /hˈuːm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/whom
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. object of a verb or preposition

pronoun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a formal way to say 'who' when the person is the object of a sentence.

For teachers: the objective form of the relative or interrogative pronoun 'who', functioning as the direct object of a verb or the object of a preposition.

- To whom should I address this letter?
- The candidate, whom the committee had initially overlooked, delivered a presentation that fundamentally altered the board's perspective.

Usage: In modern speech, 'who' often replaces 'whom' except immediately after a preposition like 'to' or 'with'.

Teaching tip: Many native speakers find 'whom' overly stiff; advise students to use it primarily in academic writing or after prepositions.

### 2. referring to a group

pronoun · CEFR C1 · Formal · British English

used to refer to a group of people, like a sports team or a band.

For teachers: used as a relative pronoun referring to collective nouns representing groups of people.

- The team, many of whom were exhausted, celebrated their victory.
- The orchestra, among whom were several world-renowned soloists, began the rehearsal with an intricate contemporary piece.

Usage: Often used with plural verb agreement in British English contexts.

Teaching tip: This is a specific stylistic choice in formal British English; 'which' is a safer neutral alternative for learners.

## Examples

- To whom should I address this letter?
- The manager, whom the staff respected deeply, decided to retire after thirty years of service.
- In formal academic writing, one must distinguish between the subject who performs the action and the object whom the action affects, particularly when following a preposition.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.