WHO vs WHOM

Question

Who is used as the subject of the verb in a relative clause, whereas whom is used as the object of the verb
or of a preposition.
Wrong: The security guard WHO we met was nice.
Right: The security guard WHOM we met was nice.

The above example is taken from GMAT guide. Someone, please explain why WHO is not correct in the sentence.
As per my understanding, "the security guard" is a subject and hence WHO should be used.

Thanks

abhimahna · Answer

Hey somey , Here is the article that will clear all your doubts: https://gmat.economist.com/gmat-advice/ ... ho-vs-whom Thanks

souvonik2k · Answer

Hi
In the example above, the subject is 'We' and not 'The security guard'. 'The security guard' is the object here since 'we met' tells something being done to the object. Hence 'whom' is appropriate here.

EducationAisle · Answer

Hi  somey , let's look at this sentence:

The security guard whom we met was nice.

This sentence has two clauses:
i) The security guard was nice.
ii) whom we met

Each clause has its own subject and verb. Now, it should be clear:

i) The security guard was nice.
 security guard  is the subject and  was  is the verb.

ii) whom we met
 we  is the subject and  met  is the verb.

GMATPill · Answer

There's actually a little trick you can do here. Replace the word "who/whom" with "he/him" Read it backwards - and if sounds better to use "him" - then use the corresponding 'm' with "whom"... So in the above example, you see "WHOM we met" vs "WHO we met" -- now read it backwards. "We met HIM" or "We met HE" ?? Which one is better? Obviously, "We met HIM" is better -- therefore, we use the corresponding word with 'm' --- which is "whom." So use WHOM -- when it sounds better reading backwards with the corresponding HIM. Otherwise, use WHO. www.gmatpill.com

NTA · Answer

"I met the new people who/whom were from your country" what is the correct relative pronoun? and why? 
in my opinion, in this sentence "I" is the subject, "met" is the verb and "people" is the object. Then it should be "whom" as a relative pronoun of "people" . Am I right?

EducationAisle · Answer

Hi, following are the two clauses in your sentence

(i) I met the new people - Independent clause
(ii) who/whom were from your country - Relative clause

In clause (ii), it is hopefully clear that  who/whom  is intended to serve as the  subject  of clause (ii). Hence, we have to use a  subject  pronoun.

Do remember that  who  is always used as a subject pronoun (while  whom  is used as an  object  pronoun).

Hence, the correct sentence is:

I met the new people  who  were from your country.

WHO vs WHOM

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