Which vs Whom
What’s the difference between them?
Which
Meaning:
Which is a pronoun used to ask a question about the identity of something or someone.
Examples:
1. 'Which of these two roads should I take?'
2. 'Which of your siblings do you resemble the most?'
3. 'Which way did they go?'
Whom
Meaning:
Pronoun,objective case of 'who,' used as the object of a verb or preposition.
Examples:
1. Whom do you think will be the next president?
2. Whom do you consider to be the most influential person in your life?
3. To whom should I address this letter?
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Which
1. That
2. What
3. Which one
4. Whichever
5. No matter which
1. Where
2. When
3. Why
4. Instead of
5. Contrary to
Whom
1. Which
2. Whose
There are no direct antonyms for this word.
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Which", "Whom".
1. 'Which' is a relative pronoun used to refer to things or animals.
2. 'Whom' is a relative pronoun used to refer to people.
3. 'Which' rhymes with 'itch', so it is used for things or animals.
4. 'Whom' rhymes with 'doom', so it is used for people.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
In what situations should the first word be used?
'Which' should be used when making a choice between two or more items or options. For example, 'Which ice cream flavor do you want?'
When is the appropriate context for using the second word?
'Whom' is the appropriate context when referring to the object of a verb or preposition. For example, 'Whom shall I give this to?'
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, the two words do not share the same pronunciation. 'Which' is pronounced with a short 'i' sound, and 'whom' is pronounced with a long 'o' sound.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
A common mistake people make when using these words is replacing 'whom' with 'who'. To determine the correct usage, ask yourself whether the sentence would make sense if you replaced 'whom' with 'him/her'. If it does, then 'whom' is the correct choice.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. _______ do you trust more, your friends or your family?
2. _______ should I address this letter to?
3. _______ do you think is the better option?
4. _______ did you ask for help?
5. _______ should I believe?
6. _______ should I make in charge of the project?
1. Which
Explanation: The word which is used when two or more choices are being presented and the speaker is seeking to know which one the listener believes is most applicable.
2. Whom
Explanation: The word whom is used when referring to a particular person or thing that is being addressed.
3. Which
Explanation: The word which is used when two or more choices are being presented and the speaker is seeking to know which one the listener believes is most applicable.
4. Whom
Explanation:The word whom is used when referring to a particular person being asked for help.
5. Whom
Explanation: The word whom is used when asking about a particular person or thing that the speaker is seeking information about.
6. Whom
Explanation: The word whom is used when asking about a particular person or thing that is in charge of a certain project.
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List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.