I've been addressing some items lately that have attended a great measure of confusion among engineers who write. One especially glaring example is the use of who versus whom.
The correct word to use depends on what can be properly substituted in its place. If he, she, or they can be substituted successfully, then the correct word to use is who. But if him, her, or them can be substituted successfully, then the correct word to use is whom.
Take a look at the example in the cropped image. The writer in this instance chose to use whom. But is that use correct? Substitute the alternative words in its place and find out.
The correct word to use depends on what can be properly substituted in its place. If he, she, or they can be substituted successfully, then the correct word to use is who. But if him, her, or them can be substituted successfully, then the correct word to use is whom.
Take a look at the example in the cropped image. The writer in this instance chose to use whom. But is that use correct? Substitute the alternative words in its place and find out.
. . . him was visiting a customer . . . .
Using her or them produces equally confusing results. This confusion indicates that the correct word is not the one chosen. The writer in this case should use who. Double checking by substituting again certainly doesn't hurt.
. . . he was visiting a customer . . . .
That sounds much better.
I remember the difference by simply remembering that who uses he (no m on the end) and whom uses him (an m on the end) as substitutes. Then after making the substitution, I see how the sentence sounds. Knowing who uses whom can make a big difference in your writing.
I remember the difference by simply remembering that who uses he (no m on the end) and whom uses him (an m on the end) as substitutes. Then after making the substitution, I see how the sentence sounds. Knowing who uses whom can make a big difference in your writing.
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