American Dictionary

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Definition whom in American English

whom pronoun

pronoun
/hum/

Whom can be used instead of who when it is the object of a verb or preposition. It can be used in the following ways:

as a relative pronoun (referring back to a person and starting a relative clause): Students for whom English is a second language should consider taking the course.The book was written by his wife, Joan, whom he married in 1962. (starting a relative clause that is the subject, object, or complement of another clause): I don’t know whom you’ve already met.

as a question pronoun: Whom do you blame?

Whom is only used in written English and in formal spoken English. Who is normally used as the object of a verb or preposition, but immediately after a preposition whom is generally used: the man with whom she lived. It would, however, be more natural to say: the man she lived with.

1

used for asking or stating which person is affected by an action or is involved in something

Example

Whom will they choose to lead them?

Example

To whom did you speak?

Example

"They say that Marlowe was murdered." "By whom?"

Example

Tell me whom you admire most.

Synonyms and related words
2

used for introducing information that shows which person you are talking about, or for adding more information about a specific person

Example

There are over 6,000 students, many of whom come from overseas.

Example

This is the gentleman whom I mentioned a moment ago.

Synonyms and related words
Definition whom in American English