Identify and correct pronoun errors with ‘who’
Key notes:
The pronouns who and whoever are subject pronouns. They act as subjects of sentences or clauses. The pronouns whom and whomever are object pronouns. They act as objects of action verbs or prepositions.
To figure out whether to use who/whoever or whom/whomever, restate the sentence or clause with a personal pronoun. If the personal pronoun is a subject pronoun (he, she, or they), use who/whoever. If the personal pronoun is an object pronoun (him, her, or them), use whom/whomever.
Who/Whom painted this beautiful mural?
√. She painted this beautiful mural.
X .Her painted this beautiful mural.
The subject pronoun who should be used.
Peter, who/whom you met yesterday, has four brothers.
√. You met him yesterday.
X. You met he yesterday.
The object pronoun whom should be used.
Do not confuse whose with who’s. Whose shows possession. Who’s is a contraction for who is or who has.
Whose jacket is on the floor?
Who’s at the door?
Learn with an example
➡️ Click to correct the pronoun if needed.
Whom will win the chess match? Devin’s opening was impressive, but it’s clear that Malik has the better endgame.
- Look at the sentence containing the pronoun.
- Who/Whom will win the chess match?
- Restate the sentence using a personal pronoun.
- √. He will win the chess match.
- X. Him will win the chess match.
- The restated sentence uses the subject pronoun he, so the subject pronoun who is correct.
➡️ Click to correct the pronoun if needed.
I’m going to an audition with my friend Farid, who does stand-up comedy. If it goes well, he will be featured on a TV talent competition.
- Look at the clause containing the pronoun.
- who/whom does stand-up comedy
- Restate the clause using a personal pronoun.
- √. he does stand-up comedy
- X. him does stand-up comedy
- The restated clause uses the subject pronoun he, so the subject pronoun who is correct.
➡️ Click to correct the pronoun if needed.
Michael Jordan, whose widely considered to be the greatest basketball player of all time, won six US national championships and earned the NBA’s Most Valuable Player Award five times
- Who’s is correct. It is a contraction for who is.
Let’s practice!🖊️
