Who vs Whom

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

	Who	Whom
Meaning	A word used to ask about a person.	Used instead of 'who' when talking about the object of a verb or preposition.
Register	-	formal
CEFR level	A1	B2
Part of speech	pronoun	pronoun
Usage notes	Used to inquire about someone's identity; appropriate in both formal and informal settings. Avoid using it in contexts where specifics are required, like in legal or detailed reports.	Use 'whom' in more formal situations or writing. In everyday conversation, many people use 'who' instead. It's often used following prepositions.

Frequently asked questions: Who vs Whom

What's the difference between "Who" and "Whom"?

"Who" means: A word used to ask about a person. "Whom" means: Used instead of 'who' when talking about the object of a verb or preposition.

When should I use "Who" and "Whom"?

"Whom" is formal.

Are "Who" and "Whom" the same CEFR level?

"Who" is at A1, "Whom" is at B2 on the CEFR scale.