Who vs whom: the he/him test, the traps that catch good writers, and when "who" is fine
"Who" does the action; "whom" receives it. The quickest test: if you could answer with "he," use who; if you could answer with "him," use whom. Here are examples, the whoever trap that catches careful writers, and when plain "who" is the better choice in your book.
The he/him test
"Who" is a subject, like he or she. "Whom" is an object, like him or her. Answer the question, or turn the clause into its own sentence, and see which one fits.
| Sentence | Test | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| ___ wrote the foreword? | He wrote it. | Who wrote the foreword? |
| ___ did you thank in the acknowledgments? | I thanked him. | Whom did you thank? |
| The editor ___ fixed my draft was patient. | She fixed it. | The editor who fixed my draft |
| The editor ___ I hired was patient. | I hired her. | The editor whom I hired |
| The client ___ I think deserves credit | I think he deserves credit. | The client who I think deserves credit |
Examples written by Scribe Media. In the last row, "I think" is an aside; test the clause without it.
After a preposition
When "who" or "whom" comes straight after a preposition (to, for, with, from, about), it is almost always "whom": "to whom it may concern," "the people with whom I worked." If that sounds stiff, move the preposition to the end: "the people I worked with."
The whoever trap
A mistake that catches careful writers is choosing "whom" or "whomever" because it comes after a preposition, when the word is really the subject of its own clause. Chicago's blog, CMOS Shop Talk, advises writers to stop seeing "whoever" as the object of a preposition when it is actually the subject of its own clause, as in "for whoever is interested."
- Give the extra copies to whoever asks. (He asks. The whole clause is the object of "to.")
- We will hire whomever you recommend. (You recommend him.)
The same post cites The Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition, 5.250), which suggests that if you are uncertain, use "anyone who" instead.
What to do in your book
- In narration, use "whom" where it is correct and does not sound stilted. Where it does, rewrite: "The editor I hired" avoids the choice entirely.
- In dialogue and quotes, keep people's words as they said them. Chicago's blog notes that "Whom did they call?" is formal standard English, but few people speak that way.
- Be consistent with your tone. A conversational business book can lean on "who" and rewrites; a formal one can use "whom" throughout.
A copy editor will check these for you; see what a copy editor does. For other usage choices editors flag, see that vs which and the Oxford comma.
Start here: search your manuscript for "whom" and "whomever." For each one, try the he/him test on its own clause. Watch especially for the whoever trap.
Common questions
How do you know when to use who or whom?
Answer the question, or rewrite the clause, with he or him. If "he" fits, use "who." If "him" fits, use "whom." Who called? He called, so "who." You called whom? You called him, so "whom."
Is it whoever or whomever?
Look at the clause the word belongs to, not the word before it. In "Give it to whoever asks," the word is the subject of "asks" (he asks), so it is "whoever," even though it follows "to." Chicago's blog warns writers about exactly this trap.
Is whom still used?
Yes, in formal writing and right after a preposition: "to whom it may concern." In conversation and dialogue, most people say "who" even where formal grammar would use "whom." Chicago's blog notes that "Whom did they call?" is formal standard English, but few people speak that way.
Can I just use who everywhere?
In dialogue and informal writing, "who" is widely accepted. In a book's narration, use "whom" where it is correct and sounds natural, or rewrite the sentence to avoid the choice.
Sources: CMOS Shop Talk (The Chicago Manual of Style's blog), Carol Saller, Whoever/Whomever in Fiction (whoever as the subject of its own clause; the CMOS 17th edition, 5.250, advice to use "anyone who" if uncertain; "Whom did they call?" is formal but few people speak that way), read November 1, 2026. The test, examples and guidance were written by Scribe Media. Published by Scribe Media.