Brief Writer's Workshop: Who/Whom · 12:52am Dec 12th, 2014
Hey, all! It's been a while, hasn't it? Just thought I'd do a quick one of these, since I've seen this problem pop up more and more frequently.
"Whom" is a dying word. Most people hardly use it anymore, and if you were simply to use "who" where you would use "whom," most readers would not find issue with it. However, should you wish to use "whom," you'll want to make sure you're using it correctly, since all the grammarians of the world will catch it. Don't worry, the rule is actually fairly simple. "Whom" is the objective case, while "who" is the subjective case, just like "me" is the objective and "I" is the subjective. Thus, whenever the answer to the phrase would be "me," "her," or another objective pronoun, you begin the clause with "whom;" otherwise, you use "who."
Most of the time, this means you'll use "who." My dad is the one who taught me how to read. Who taught me how to read? He did. I've never met someone who is quite as reliable as you are. Who is reliable? You are. "Whom" really only pops up with more convoluted structures. This is the woman whom I met at the party. Whom did I meet at the party? I met her. Find the man to whom she gave the ring. To whom did she give the ring? She gave the ring to him.
Anyways, that's all for now. Hope that's helpful! :)
Man, it has been a while. I'll have to make some more who's mistakes to draw you out more frequently :)