One of the most frustrating grammar topics encountered on the SAT and ACT (and in life in general, really) is the correct use of subject and object pronouns—specifically when to use who (subject pronoun) and when to use whom (object pronoun). Who cares, you might ask? (Or should that be "Whom cares?") But getting this right is easy, and getting it wrong can cost you points, so it's worth reviewing.
Here's a simple, non-technical way to tell the difference between a subject and an object: The subject of a sentence or independent clause is the thing doing the action; the object is that thing that the action is done to. Simple, right? Here's an example:
After a large bouquet of pink roses was clandestinely delivered to the sorority house, the girls were in a frenzy all afternoon, as no one knew the sender of the bouquet, nor for whom it was intended.
Now, on the test, the error might be anywhere in the sentence. But since this post is about who vs. whom, we're going to zero in on that last clause. Is whom being used correctly? Here's how you can figure this out:
First things first, identify the subject. In this case, a large bouquet (subject) is being delivered. Does the pronoun whom refer to the subject? In this case, nope, it refers to one of the girls.
If you can't pinpoint the subject right away, use the preposition to help you out. The object pronoun (whom) is often preceded by a preposition. The subject pronoun (who) is not. In this example, the preposition for precedes the pronoun, which tells you that you should use the object pronoun, whom.
If you're still having trouble deciding between who and whom, try this quick 3-step maneuver:
1. Move the pronoun to the end of the clause that it's in. If a preposition comes before it in the clause, put that right before the pronoun: for whom is was intended becomes It was intended for who/whom.
2. Substitute another subject pronoun (he/she/we/they) or object pronoun (him/her/us/them) for whom, to see which one makes sense: It was intended for her/him sounds a lot better than It was intended for she/he.
3. If a subject pronoun fits correctly, the answer is who. If an object pronoun fits correctly, the answer is whom.
And here's a little mnemonic trick if you have trouble remembering whether who or whom is a subject or object pronoun: Who ends in a vowel, as do the other subject pronouns: he/she/we/they (y is sometimes considered a vowel). Whom ends in a consonant, as do the other object pronouns: him/her/us/them.
Test your who/whom prowess with this quiz!
Having trouble with any other grammar traps? Let us know in the comments and email us at testpreptutor@sparknotes.com.
Related Post: Freaking Idioms!
Topics: SAT, writing, act, english, sentence errors, pronouns, subject, object
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