Name: Date: Period:

G9-12.ECRS.B12-D: Who or Whom?

Link to the ECRS:
Correctly use reflexive pronouns, the possessive pronouns its and your, and the relative pronouns who and whom (COU28A)
Use commas to set off a nonessential/nonrestrictive appositive or clause (COP28A)
Introduction:
Have you ever been confused by the word whom? They are both pronouns. The trick is knowing when it is
appropriate to use either word.

Key Information:
Who and whom are personal relative pronouns: They refer to people and they introduce clauses that modify
nouns. The difference between them comes down to one question: Subject or object?

WHO is a subject pronoun. That means it refers to the sentences subject. It is similar to the words he and she.
Ex: Who is your favorite teacher? To answer, you might say: Ms. Banks is my favorite teacher.
If you wanted to give more information about your favorite teacher in a sentence, it might look like
this: Ms. Banks, who teaches English, is my favorite teacher.
WHOM is an object pronoun. It refers to the sentences object, like the words him and her.
Ex: Whom do you love? To answer, you might say: I love Kanye West.
Kanye West, then, becomes the object of your love. Since he is the one your pronoun refers to, whom
is the correct word in the question.

Heres a hint to figure out which word you should use:
Determine the subject, verb/preposition, and object of the sentence or clause in question. Then,
rearrange it into subject-verb-object or preposition-object order. The subject (who) is followed by a
verb. The object (whom) follows either the verb or the preposition.
Remember: The words who and whomrefer to people. The words that and which refer to things.

The Basics:
Label the subject, object and verb in each sentence.
Example: My favorite food is broccoli.
(O) (V) (S)

1. Kayla won the Student Council election.
2. The best goalkeeper on the soccer team is Zachary.
3. Argelia is her best friend.
4. Professionally, Dwayne Carter has been called Lil Wayne.
5. I really dont like coffee.


Practice: Determine whether you need to use the word who or whom to fill in the blanks in the sentences
below.
Example:
The quarterback, who is a freshman, has surprised everyone with his talent.

1. The computer technician helped my teacher, ____________ is not very tech-savvy.
2. The book was an enjoyable read for the students, many of _______ also went to see the movie.
3. Brian knew the woman __________ directed the movie.
4. Erica, ___________ is the tallest girl in the school, will make an excellent center for the basketball team.
5. I know ___________ I am going to support in the upcoming election.

Writing Connection: Add some information to the sentences below. Each sentence has a parenthetical phrase
for you to complete, beginning with either who or whom.
Example:
My mother, who worked as a hairdresser for years, cuts my hair.
1. Our principal, ______________________________, does not appreciate it when were late to school.
2. I never realized writing was so much fun for Devin, _______________________________________.
3. Alisha wanted to help her classmates, ___________________________________________________.
4. I never understood why my dad, _________________________________________, sang in the choir.

How it looks on the EPAS (EXPLORE, PLAN or ACT):
Certain words and/or phrases below are underlined and numbered. In the right-hand column, you will
find alternatives for the underlined part. If the original version is best, choose NO CHANGE.

The Magnuson Act, also known as the Chinese Exclusion Repeal Act of 1943 was immigration

legislation. Warren G. Magnuson of Washington, whom was then a U.S. Representative,

proposed it. It allowed Chinese immigrants, who had been barred from entry since 1882, to

become naturalized citizens. The Magnuson Act also provided for the continuation of the ban

against the ownership of property and businesses by ethnic Chinese. In many states, Chinese

Americans, including those that were US citizens, were denied property-ownership rights until

the Magnuson Act was itself was fully repealed in 1965.
1. A. NO CHANGE
B. which
C. who
D. that
2. A. NO CHANGE
B. which
C. whom
D. that
3. A. NO CHANGE
B. which
C. who
D. whom


Whats the Rule?
Use the word ____________ when referring to subjects. Use _____________ when referring to objects.