How to Choose Between Who and Whom

Khan Academy

This video provides a nuanced explanation of the grammatical difference between "who" and "whom," moving beyond rigid rules to explore how these pronouns are actually used in modern English. The narrator explains the traditional distinction—that "who" is for subjects (like "he" or "she") and "whom" is for objects (like "him" or "her")—using the memorable example of "The spy who loved me." The lesson uses simple sentence diagrams to visualize the subject-object relationship. The content goes deeper by introducing the concept of linguistic evolution, describing the rule as a "one-way street." It explains that while "whom" is strictly an object pronoun, "who" has expanded to function as both subject and object in casual usage. The video draws a fascinating parallel to the archaic pronoun "whoso," illustrating how language naturally sheds complex forms over time, and predicts that "whom" may eventually disappear entirely from the language. For educators, this resource is valuable because it distinguishes between technical correctness and social acceptability (register). It empowers students to understand that language rules change and helps them navigate the choice between "who" and "whom" based on the desired tone—formal vs. informal—rather than just memorizing a binary rule. It creates a comfortable space for students who find grammar intimidating by validating their natural speech patterns while teaching them the formal structures needed for academic writing.