When writing English correctly, many learners get confused between Some of Whom and Some of Who, especially in complex sentences involving relative clauses. The correct form depends on grammar rules that govern relative pronouns, which connect clauses and give extra information about people. In formal English, “whom” is used as an object pronoun, while “who” is used as a subject pronoun. This distinction is essential for creating grammatically accurate sentences and improving English grammar usage, especially in writing and academic contexts. For example, in the phrase “Some of whom were late,” the word whom correctly refers to the object of the clause, making the sentence both clear and professional. Using “who” instead of “whom” in such cases is considered incorrect in standard grammar.
Understanding the difference between subject vs object pronouns, formal English structure, and relative clause rules helps you avoid common mistakes. Many learners use “some of who” in spoken English, but in written or formal communication, it is important to stick to “some of whom” when referring to people as objects in a clause. Mastering this small but powerful rule improves your sentence accuracy, strengthens your writing clarity, and enhances your overall English fluency skills. With practice and proper examples, you can confidently use correct grammatical forms and avoid confusion in everyday writing and exams.
Understanding the Basics
Before we dive into some of whom vs some of who, it’s essential to understand who and whom. Knowing the difference is the key to avoiding mistakes.
What is “Who”?
Who is a subject pronoun. This means it’s used for the person or people performing the action in a sentence.
Examples:
- “Who is coming to the party?” → Who is the subject performing the action (coming).
- “I don’t know who made this cake.” → Who is doing the action (made).
Think of who as the “doer” in the sentence.
What is “Whom”?
Whom is an object pronoun, used for the person or people receiving the action.
Examples:
- “To whom should I address the letter?” → Whom receives the action (addressed).
- “I met a woman, some of whom are famous chefs.” → Whom is the object of some of.
In short:
- Who = subject (does something)
- Whom = object (receives something)
Why It Confuses People
Even fluent English speakers struggle with this because in everyday conversation, many people replace whom with who. For casual speech, it’s often fine, but in formal writing, using some of whom correctly is crucial.
The Grammar Rule: Some of Whom vs Some of Who
Rule Explanation
When you’re talking about a subset of people, you often use the phrase “some of whom”.
- Use some of whom when referring to people as the object of a verb or preposition.
- Avoid some of who in formal writing—it’s generally considered incorrect.
Think of it this way: if you can replace the word with them, it’s whom.
Examples in Sentences
Correct usage:
- “I invited ten friends, some of whom are chefs.”
- “She met several writers, some of whom were award winners.”
Incorrect usage:
- “I invited ten friends, some of who are chefs.” ❌
- “She met several writers, some of who were award winners.” ❌
Notice how the object of the verb determines the need for whom.
Quick Tip Table
| Phrase | Correct? | Example |
| Some of whom | ✅ | “I invited ten friends, some of whom are chefs.” |
| Some of who | ❌ | “I invited ten friends, some of who are chefs.” |
| All of whom | ✅ | “All of whom were invited to the ceremony.” |
| Many of whom | ✅ | “She worked with several artists, many of whom were students.” |
This table makes it easy to see the pattern and remember it.
When “Some of Who” Might Appear
You might still hear people say “some of who” in everyday conversation. It happens because:
- Casual speech often ignores strict grammar rules.
- Some regions or dialects use it naturally.
- People assume who works in all contexts.
However, using it in essays, business writing, or professional emails will look incorrect.
Stick with some of whom in formal writing. It’s always safe and grammatically correct.
How to Decide Between Who and Whom
Here’s a practical guide for choosing between who and whom.
The Object Test
Replace who/whom with him/her/them.
Example:
- “I met several people, some of whom are doctors.” → “I met several people, some of them are doctors.” ✅
- “I met several people, some of who are doctors.” → “I met several people, some of them are doctors.” ❌
If them works, use whom. If he/she works, use who. This trick is foolproof.
Preposition Rule
Prepositions like of, with, to, for, by always take whom.
Examples:
- “She talked to several guests, some of whom were writers.”
- “I spoke with the students, many of whom had questions.”
Whenever you see a preposition, check whether whom is the correct object.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even after knowing the rules, people slip up. Watch out for these traps:
- Using some of who in formal writing.
Example: ❌ “I met ten people, some of who are engineers.” - Confusing subject and object pronouns in complex sentences.
Example: ❌ “There are many candidates, some of who applied last year.” - Mixing casual speech with formal grammar rules.
Quick Checklist:
- Does them replace your pronoun? → use whom.
- Is it after a preposition? → use whom.
- Is it performing the action? → use who.
Fun Memory Tricks
Learning who vs whom doesn’t have to be dull. Try these tips:
- Him/Her/Them Test: Replace the pronoun with him/her/them. Works every time.
- Mnemonic: “He Who Does, Him Whom Receives.”
- Diagram:
Subject → Who → does the action
Object → Whom → receives the action
- Phrase tip: Any time you use some of ___, ask: “Are they the doers or receivers?” → usually receivers → whom.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is some of who ever correct?
- Only in informal speech. In professional or academic writing, always use some of whom.
Can I use some of whom in casual writing?
- Absolutely! It’s grammatically correct and adds polish to any sentence.
What about all of whom or many of whom?
- Same rule applies. These are all object pronouns used after quantifiers.
- “All of whom were invited to the event.”
- “Many of whom volunteered for the project.”
Read More: Minuet vs Minute Difference, Meaning & Examples
Case Studies: Real-Life Examples
Example 1: Academic Writing
- Original: “I interviewed ten authors, some of who had won awards.” ❌
- Corrected: “I interviewed ten authors, some of whom had won awards.” ✅
Example 2: Business Email
- Original: “We met with several clients, some of who requested a meeting.” ❌
- Corrected: “We met with several clients, some of whom requested a meeting.” ✅
Example 3: Journalism
- Original: “The candidates, some of who were new to politics, impressed the voters.” ❌
- Corrected: “The candidates, some of whom were new to politics, impressed the voters.” ✅
These show how subtle mistakes can affect professionalism, and correcting them improves clarity.
Conclusion
Using some of whom correctly might seem tricky at first, but once you understand the rules, it’s simple:
- Who = subject, doer
- Whom = object, receiver
- Use the him/her/them test whenever in doubt.
- Remember, prepositions like of, to, with always take whom.
Next time you write, check your sentences. Spot the mistakes, correct them, and your writing will instantly sound more polished and professional.
Pro Tip: Keep a small table or mnemonic handy until it becomes second nature. Over time, choosing some of whom will feel completely natural.
