The confusion between 'who' and 'whom' is one of the common problems students face. The difference between 'who' and 'whom' is similar to that between 'he' and 'him', or 'they' and 'them'.
'He' and 'they' are the subjects of verbs, and 'him' and 'them' are objects. He or they would mean you should use who, and him or them would indicate that whom is the correct choice. Example: Who is at the door? Answer may be "he" or "she". Therefore 'who' is the correct choice. I met three of the new professors yesterday, one of whom has already published ten books. Here 'whom' refers to 'one of them'.
You may not have heard of relative pronouns, but we use them every day. "Who," "which," "that," where," and "when" are all examples of relative pronouns. Relative pronouns are used at the beginning of an adjective clause (a dependent clause that modifies a noun). Relative pronouns are used to connect two clauses. They also act as the subject or object of the verb in the relative clause.
Who has two other forms, the object form whom and the possessive form whose. Who and whom are used mainly for people. 'Whose' can be used to refer to people, animals or things. Example: The tree whose branches shade my kitchen window is an oak.
'Which' is used to refer to animals in general or things. Example: John visited the park with his dog, which likes to chase squirrels. 'That' can be used to refer to people, animals or things.
Sometimes you may confuse whether to use 'which' or 'that' in a sentence. The rule says you have to use 'that' in restrictive relative clauses and 'which' in nonrestrictive relative clauses. Consider the example. Our house that has a red door and green windows needs painting. The underlined part is a restrictive relative clause. It restricts or defines the meaning of a noun or noun phrase and provides necessary information about the noun in the sentence. It is not separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. Here is another sentence. Our house, which has a door and green windows, needs painting. The underlined part is a nonrestrictive relative clause. It adds additional information to a sentence. It uses commas to show that the information is additional.
Consider the examples. Mumbai, which has a population of about 18million, is the largest ctiy in India. (Correct) Mumbai, that has a population of about 18million, is the largest ctiy in India. (Incorrect)
When you write adjective clauses, use 'when' with time words and 'where' with words indicating place. Example: I remember the day when my son was born. This is a big park where you can have a lot of fun.
Complete the following sentences by choosing the most appropriate option.
1.This is the dog…….I bought yesterday
a)who b)that c)which d)whose
2. The police needed details………could help identify the burglar.
a)what b)where c) who d) that
3. She is one ……we can trust
a)that b)who c)which d)whom
4. I talked to the girl…..car had broken down in front of the shop.
a)whose b)which c) who d) whom
5. The man…..came yesterday was her uncle.
a) which b) who c) whom d)that
6. Thank you very much for your e-mail……was very interesting
a) whom b) who c)which d) where
7. The festival, …….lasted all day, ended with a banquet.
a) which b)where c) whom d)that
8. This is the market…..vegetables are sold.
a) when b) where c) which d) what
9. The story is about a girl…..sacrificed her life for her friend.
a) what b) who c) whose d) whom
10. I met J.K.Rowling …….they say is the richest writer in the world.
a) who b) whose c) whom d)which
11. A cemetery is a place ……people are buried.
a) who b) whom c) whose d) where
12. The classrooms, …….were painted over the summer, are bright and cheerful
a) what b)which c)who d)that
13. This is the man ……purse was lost in the bus.
a) who b) whom c)which d) whose
14. The place …….I met my old friend was Kodaikanal.
a) what b) that c) when d) where
15. The buildings…….were painted over the summer are bright and cheerful.
a) What b) that c) who d) which
Answers: 1 (c), 2 (d), 3 (d), 4. (a), 5. (b), 6. (c), 7. (a), 8. (b), 9. (b), 10. (c), 11. (d), 12. (b), 13. (d), 14. (d), 15. (b)