Who, Whom &Whose)

Uses of Relative pronouns; (Who, Whom &Whose)

To understand how to use "who," "whom," and "whose," you first have to understand the difference between subjects, objects, and possessive forms.

Subjects, Objects and Possessive Forms

      Subjects (do an action):

He loves movies.                                      She goes to school.

We enjoy Chinese food.                           He likes football.

She goes to university.                             They enjoy travelling.

      Objects (receive an action):

The teachers like him.                                      The employees respect him.

I know her.                                                        The sailors waved to us.

Thomas knows her.                                           The actor smiled at us.

      Possessive forms (tell us the person something belongs to):

His car is new.                                    I like his latest novel.

We returned to our hotel.                   His bike is broken.

I like her new book.                           The teacher graded our homework.

"Who" is a Subject Pronoun

"Who" is a subject pronoun like "he," "she" and "we". We use "who" to ask which person does an action or which person is a certain way.

Examples:

Who made the birthday cake?         

Who is in the kitchen?

Who is going to do the dishes?

"Whom" is an Object Pronoun

"Whom" is an object pronoun like "him," "her" and "us." We use "whom" to ask which person receives an action.

Examples:

v  Whom are you going to invite?                      Whom did he blame for the accident?

v  Whom did he hire to do the job?                     Whom are you going to ask to the party?

v  Whom did they choose as team captain?         Whom did they summon?

"Whose" is a Possessive Pronoun

"Whose" is a possessive pronoun like "his," "her" and "our." We use "whose" to find out which person something belongs to.

Examples:

• Whose camera is this?                                          Whose dog is barking outside?
• Whose cell phone keeps ringing?                         Whose phone is this?

·         Whose is this umbrella?                                        Whose car is blocking the drive?

"Who," "Whom" and "Whose" in Indirect Questions

The sentence below contains an example of an indirect question:

• I don't know whom he invited.

When deciding whether to use "who," "whom" or "whose." Ask yourself if the indirect question requires a subject, object, or possessive form.

Examples:

• He doesn't know who the boss of the company is. subject of the indirect question
• I don't care whom you invite. object of the indirect question
• She isn't sure whose car that is. "Whose" shows possession of car.

"Who," "Whom" and "Whose" in Adjective Clauses

The sentence below contains an example of an adjective clause:

• I know the man who won the contest.

When deciding whether to use "who," "whom" or "whose." Ask yourself if the adjective clause requires a subject, object, or possessive form.

Examples:

• We knew the actress who starred in the movie. subject of adjective clause
• They hired the man whom we interviewed last week. object of adjective clause
• She knew the family whose house we bought. "Whose" shows possession of house.

Now complete the following using the correct word:

1.   ___________Directed this film?

Whom
Who
Whose

2.       ___________Will he ask to the party?

Who
Whom
Whose

3.      _______________ car is parked in front of the entrance?

Whom
Whose
Who

4.    From ____________did you get the information?

Who
whom
whose

5.      We’re driving to the city. _____________wants to come with us?

Whom
Whose
Who

6.    I have no idea _______________ said that about you to me.

whose
whom
who

7.      Do you know _________________ wife that is?

whom
whose
who

8.    I would love to meet the author ____________ wrote this book.

who
whose
whom

9.      _____________ you referring to in your e-mail?

Whom
Who
Whose