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To whom should I direct this question?
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To whom should I direct this question? |
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Savage Quiescence Member
since 2002-07-29
Posts 326Wandering |
How does one know when to use 'who' and when to use 'whom'? It has been explained to me before, but I left understanding no more in the end than in the beginning! Thanks! "Be the Change you wish to see in the world" -Ghandi |
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Not A Poet Member Elite
since 1999-11-03
Posts 3885Oklahoma, USA |
Whom is the objective case of who. It is used whenever the word word be the object of a preposition or a direct or indirect object of a sentence. Who/whom is exactly equivalent to he/him. If he would be proper usage then who would be too. Likewise, if him would be proper then whom would be. Really not all that complicated. Examples: Who was that masked man? I received a call but I don't know from whom. Perfect question for the English Workshop, by the way. |
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Savage Quiescence Member
since 2002-07-29
Posts 326Wandering |
Thank you very much, the he/him explination was quite helpful! |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
Yes, Pete said it well. "Who was that masked man? I received a call but I don't know from whom." These are also good examples, I think, in how they are used best in interrogative manners and cases where there is uncertainy rather than a certain specification. Confusion caused by using them otherwise, is what causes me problems. But when mind them as interrogative (questioning) and uncertain, they seem to work best. "I know not whom you serve." "Whom do you serve? " "He is who I serve" sounds terrible. It is better to say, "him I serve/ I serve him." Or specifically "The king I serve/ I serve the king" Another mistake I think is trying to use both at the same time: "He whom I serve knows best." "Him I serve knows best." is probably best. A knowing is being shown, therefore it is not necessary to say "whom I serve knows best". If it refers to an unknown person though, "whom" shall be much more relevent. "Whom I serve in my next life time" Hope that makes sense  |
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