The use of the relative pronoun who occurs often enough that it is worthwhile to focus on it a bit longer. More precisely, when do you use who, and when do you use whom?
PSAT prep 12
Who versus whom
Because most words in English do not change orthographically, that is their spelling does not change to indicate how they are being used (are they the subject or the object of a sentence?), the relative pronoun who poses a problem because who may demand a change in spelling that indicates its use. Therefore, use who when it is the doer of the action or the subject of the verb to be; use whom when it is the receiver of the action. For example, “Fatima is the girl who threw the ball”: who is the doer. “Ali is the boy who is sick”: who is the subject of is. “Mohammad is the student whom the principal praised for volunteering”: whom is the object of praised.
Now, your turn. Choose the correct form of the relative pronoun who and explain your choice.
- Students consider Hussein the class clown (who, whom) they turn to for a laugh.
- The coach chose Hanan, (who, whom) has not missed a practice, as captain of the basketball team.
- Teachers rely on students (who, whom) participate in class discussion.
- Students appreciate teachers (who, whom) they can come to for help
Now, compose two sentences with who and two with whom.