Navigating the subtle rules of English grammar often feels like solving a puzzle, and few phrases cause as much head-scratching as some of whom or some of who. The distinction hinges on a fundamental grammatical principle: the difference between subject pronouns and object pronouns. This common point of confusion trips up students, professionals, and even seasoned writers alike. When "some of" introduces a group, the choice between "who" and "whom" depends entirely on whether that group is performing the action (subject) or receiving it (object). Mastering this not only polishes your writing but also ensures clarity in complex sentences. In this article, we’ll break down the rule, offer a foolproof trick for instant recall, and explore real-world usage so you can confidently choose the correct form every time The details matter here..
The Who/Whom Distinction
At the heart of the dilemma lies the pair who and whom. When a sentence involves an action, the pronoun’s role—whether it’s doing the action or having the action done to it—determines which form is correct. The phrase some of adds a layer of complexity because it quantifies a group, but the underlying grammatical rule remains the same. Plus, Whom functions as an object pronoun, analogous to him, her, or them. Also, Who functions as a subject pronoun, similar to he, she, or they. Understanding this base relationship is the first step toward banishing uncertainty.
Why "Some Of" Triggers This Confusion
The expression some of appears frequently in both spoken and written English, often followed by a relative clause or a noun phrase. To give you an idea, "Some of the students who arrived early...But " or "Some of whom we invited... In practice, " The presence of "of" can mislead writers into thinking whom is always required, since of often precedes object pronouns (e. Which means g. Think about it: , "some of us," "some of them"). That said, the word following some of determines the pronoun’s function, not the of itself. Recognizing this distinction helps dismantle the myth that whom is automatically correct after of.
The Substitution Test: Your Quick Trick
The most reliable way to decide between who and whom after some of is the substitution test. If he, she, or they fits, use who. If him, her, or them fits, use whom. Which means replace the pronoun with he or him, she or her, they or them. Apply this directly to the clause following some of Took long enough..
People argue about this. Here's where I land on it.
Consider: "Some of the applicants who/whom the committee interviewed." Ask: "The committee interviewed him?" Yes → whom. "The committee interviewed he?But " No. Which means, "Some of the applicants whom the committee interviewed" is correct. Conversely, in "Some of the people who/whom called yesterday," ask: "They called him?" No. "They called he?" Yes (if "he" is the subject calling). Which means thus, "Some of the people who called yesterday" works. This mental swap eliminates guesswork and applies universally, regardless of sentence length or formality It's one of those things that adds up..
Honestly, this part trips people up more than it should.
Examples in Context: Formal vs. Informal Usage
Language evolves, and usage patterns shift across contexts. In casual conversation, text messages, or blog posts, many native speakers interchangeably use who for both subjects and objects. In formal writing, academic papers, and professional correspondence, the who/whom distinction remains valued. Sentences like "Some of the witnesses whom the police questioned" adhere to traditional grammar. Both are understandable, but consistency with your intended register matters Took long enough..
