Cool MateThat vs Who vs Whom
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
That
Who
Whom
| That | Who | Whom | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ðæt/","/ðəʊz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ðæt/","/ðəʊz/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/huː/"]/🇺🇸 /["/huː/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/huːm/"]/🇺🇸 /["/huːm/"]/ |
| Meaning | used to refer to a specific thing or person | A word used to ask about a person. | Used instead of 'who' when talking about the object of a verb or preposition. |
| Example | Look at that man over there. | Who is that woman? | Whom did they invite? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | High-frequency chunk | High-frequency chunk | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | A1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | determiner | pronoun | pronoun |
| Collocations | that is, that way, that means, not that, that much | who is, who are, who knows | to whom it may concern, whom do you prefer?, with whom are you talking |
| Antonyms | this | someone, somebody, anyone, anybody | who |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'that' with 'which' in restrictive vs non-restrictive clauses., Using 'that' when the antecedent is a person (use 'who')., Overusing 'that' in sentences, which can make them awkward. | Using 'who' for objects instead of 'whom'., 'Who' used incorrectly after prepositions like 'to'. | Using 'who' instead of 'whom' in object positions., 'Whom' is often omitted in casual talk., Confusing 'whom' with 'who' when using in questions. |
| Usage notes | Used to refer to something already mentioned or known. In spoken English, it's often used informally. Be careful not to use it in overly formal writing where specificity is needed. | 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: That vs Who vs Whom
What's the difference between That, Who, and Whom?
That: used to refer to a specific thing or person Who: A word used to ask about a person. Whom: Used instead of 'who' when talking about the object of a verb or preposition.
Which is more formal: That, Who, and Whom?
Whom is the most formal of these.
Which is more advanced: That, Who, and Whom?
Whom is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are That, Who, and Whom the same CEFR level?
That: A1, Who: A1, Whom: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are That, Who, and Whom?
That: determiner, Who: pronoun, Whom: pronoun.
Can you show an example of each?
That: Look at that man over there. Who: Who is that woman? Whom: Whom did they invite?
Can I use That, Who, and Whom interchangeably?
Not always. That, Who, and Whom are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.