Understanding the Usage of Who vs. Whom in English Grammar

When it comes to the usage of who and whom, the distinction can often feel quite nuanced. Let's delve into the details of when each is appropriate to use, exploring some common scenarios and the current trends in their usage.

Who vs. Whom: A Grammatical Distinction

In many cases, the choice between who and whom depends on whether the pronoun is functioning as a subject or an object in a sentence. In the context of determining correctness, especially in formal settings, whom is generally considered more correct when it is the object of a verb or preposition. For example:

Whom do you like? (here, whom is the object of the verb like)

However, in casual speech and modern writing, the usage of who has become increasingly prevalent, and it is less common to hear whom except in formal or literary contexts. For instance:

Who do you like? (though grammatically correct, who is more commonly used)

Casual vs. Formal Usage

It's worth noting that the usage of whom is indeed diminishing over time. This is partly due to the decreasing emphasis placed on prescriptive grammar in modern language use. Unless you are preparing for a formal English exam or in a context where precise grammatical correctness is required, using who instead of whom is unlikely to cause confusion and is much more natural to the modern speaker.

For example, when writing a sonnet or a poem, you might use whom for its formal and poetic appeal:

Love whom you choose

However, in everyday conversations or informal writing, the use of who is the more common and less cumbersome choice:

Who do you like?

Sentence Structure and Usage

The choice between who and whom also depends on the structure of the sentence. If the pronoun functions as the object of a verb or preposition, then whom is generally the correct choice. For example:

Love whom you choose (here, whom is the direct object of the verb love)

However, in cases where the sentence is complex or involves a prepositional phrase, the choice may be more ambiguous. For example:

With whom is he living? (used as the object of the preposition with)

Alternatively, you might hear:

With who is he living? (this is also widely accepted)

Cultural and Linguistic Shifts

The decline of whom in everyday language is part of a broader trend in many languages towards simplification and colloquialization. This evolution is driven by the natural progression of language and the influence of modern communication technologies, which tend to favor more straightforward, easily understood forms of expression.

Despite this, for those who value and maintain a high level of grammatical accuracy, the following examples demonstrate the appropriate use of who and whom in more formal or literary contexts:

Who composed Mozart's Requiem? (who is the subject of the verb)

Whom did you see? (whom is the object of the verb)

Who was playing Hamlet? (who is the subject of the verb)

Whom did the director choose to play Hamlet? (whom is the object of the verb)

While these examples are correct, it's important to recognize that in modern conversational settings, the everyday usage of who is acceptable and often preferred for its simplicity and clarity.

Conclusion

In summary, while who and whom both have their places in the English language, the decline of whom in common usage is a reflection of evolving linguistic norms. For formal or literary contexts, whom may be preferred to demonstrate a high level of grammatical correctness, but for everyday communication, who is generally well understood and less likely to cause confusion.