As writers, speakers, and English learners, I know how a tricky phrase like Some of Whom or Some of Who can feel confusing. From my own experience, the best way to handle this is to use a clear guide on usage that sharpens communication and strengthens skills in writing.
The choice between the two touches on credibility, since correct grammar and the right rules help us avoid common mistakes and errors. When a group is the object in a sentence, the formal side of the language demands distinction and precision, which is why “some of whom” is accepted while the other isn’t.
With steady practice, careful attention, and solid guidance, I’ve learned that the right explanation paired with clear examples builds knowledge and captures the nuance of English. Using the correct form gives confidence and clarity in both spoken and written work.
The learning process benefits from repeated application, using helpful tips for improvement, and running regular correctness checks to aid prevention of small errors. Strong comprehension, along with patience, allows these expressions to settle into natural use, supporting the highest standards of communication.
The Core Difference Between Who and Whom
At the heart of the confusion is knowing when to use who and when to use whom.
- Who is a subject pronoun. It does the action in a sentence.
- Whom is an object pronoun. It receives the action.
Think of it like this:
- Who = he/she/they (doer of the action)
- Whom = him/her/them (receiver of the action)
Examples:
- Who is calling? (subject → who = “she is calling”)
- To whom should I send the email? (object → whom = “send to him”)
Subjective Case: When to Use Who
Use who when the word is the subject of the verb in the clause. It asks who is doing the action.
Examples:
- Who wrote this report?
- She’s the one who solved the problem.
- Do you know who made the announcement?
In each case, who represents the person acting.
Objective Case: When to Use Whom
Use whom when the word is the object of the verb or preposition. It’s the receiver of the action.
Examples:
- Whom did you meet at the conference?
- The manager, with whom I spoke, explained the process.
- The professor, to whom the award was given, looked honored.
Notice that “whom” usually shows up in more formal contexts like academic writing, professional communication, and official documents. In everyday conversation, people often default to “who,” but in polished writing, “whom” still matters.
The Phrase “Some of Whom” Explained
Here’s where the confusion begins. Many people ask: should it be “some of who” or **“some of whom”?
The correct version is always “some of whom.”
Why? Because the phrase is part of an object structure. The word “of” is a preposition, and prepositions are always followed by objective pronouns. Since “whom” is the objective form of “who,” it must be used.
Correct:
- I invited 20 colleagues, some of whom didn’t attend.
Incorrect:
- I invited 20 colleagues, some of who didn’t attend.
The second version sounds wrong because “who” cannot be the object of “of.”
Grammar Rules Behind “Some of Whom”
To see why this works, let’s look at the grammar more closely.
- Quantifiers like some, many, few, and several refer to part of a group.
- When these quantifiers are followed by of + pronoun, the pronoun must be in the objective case.
- For people, that means whom (not who).
Examples:
- Several people attended the workshop, some of whom were teachers.
- Many applicants applied, few of whom had the right experience.
- I interviewed five candidates, three of whom impressed me.
Prepositions and Whom
Prepositions control the form of the pronoun that follows them. In English, prepositions like “of,” “to,” “with,” and “for” are always followed by an object pronoun—which is why whom fits perfectly.
Here’s a quick table for clarity:
| Preposition + Pronoun | Correct Usage | Incorrect Usage | Example Sentence |
| of + whom | ✅ Correct | ❌ of + who | I met 10 authors, some of whom were poets. |
| to + whom | ✅ Correct | ❌ to + who | To whom should I address this letter? |
| with + whom | ✅ Correct | ❌ with + who | The speaker, with whom I had lunch, shared great insights. |
| for + whom | ✅ Correct | ❌ for + who | She’s the mentor for whom the award was created. |
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
Why do people get this wrong?
- Casual speech influence: In everyday talk, Americans often skip “whom” altogether because it sounds stiff.
- Overgeneralization: People assume “who” works everywhere since it’s more common.
- Lack of clarity: Some students and even professionals were never explicitly taught the difference.
Examples of misuse:
- Some of who I spoke with disagreed. (incorrect)
- The friends, some of who are traveling, left yesterday. (incorrect)
Corrected versions:
- Some of whom I spoke with disagreed.
- The friends, some of whom are traveling, left yesterday.
Practical Examples in Real Contexts
The best way to learn grammar is to see it in action. Let’s explore three contexts where “some of whom” matters.
Academic Writing
Professors expect students to use formal grammar in essays and research papers.
- The researchers interviewed 40 participants, some of whom expressed concerns about the results.
- The committee reviewed 12 proposals, many of whom lacked sufficient evidence.
Professional Settings
Emails, reports, and presentations often require a polished tone.
- Our firm hired 15 new employees, some of whom specialize in digital marketing.
- The team collaborated with several partners, many of whom contributed resources.
Everyday Conversation
Although “whom” sounds formal, you may still use it when clarity matters.
- We had 10 guests over, some of whom stayed overnight.
- I called several friends, few of whom answered.
Alternatives and Related Phrases
Sometimes, you don’t need “whom” at all. You can rephrase for simplicity.
- Some of them → less formal, works well in speech.
- I invited 20 people, some of them didn’t come.
- Some of which → for non-human references.
- I bought five books, some of which were on history.
Comparison Table
| Expression | Used For | Example |
| Some of whom | People (formal) | I interviewed 12 students, some of whom majored in biology. |
| Some of them | People (casual) | I called five friends, some of them were busy. |
| Some of which | Things/animals | She read 10 articles, some of which were outdated. |
Advanced Considerations for Grammar Enthusiasts
If you love grammar history and style guides, here’s a deeper dive.
- Historical usage: “Whom” has been part of English for centuries, but its usage has been shrinking over time.
- Modern trend: In everyday American English, “whom” is fading. Many speakers drop it completely.
- Style guides:
- Chicago Manual of Style: Still recommends “whom” in formal writing.
- APA/MLA: Use “whom” when grammatically required.
- AP Stylebook: Allows flexibility but prefers correctness in professional contexts.
So while spoken English may relax, professional and academic contexts still value correct usage.
Quick Tricks to Remember the Rule
Not sure whether to use who or whom? Try these memory hacks.
- The he/she vs. him/her test
- If you can replace it with “he” or “she,” use who.
- If you can replace it with “him” or “her,” use whom.
- Shortcut test
- Who = subject → “Who called?” (he called)
- Whom = object → “To whom should I write?” (write to him)
- Group example test
- “Some of ___ came late.” → He came late → Some of who (incorrect).
- “I spoke with some of ___.” → I spoke with him → Some of whom (correct).
Conclusion
Mastering the choice between some of whom and some of who is all about awareness and steady practice. By focusing on grammar rules, examples, and the right application, learners can avoid mistakes, gain confidence, and keep their writing precise.
With patience and consistency, this phrase distinction becomes second nature, boosting both communication and credibility.
FAQs
Q1: Why is “some of whom” correct but “some of who” wrong?
“Some of whom” is correct because “whom” refers to people as the object of a sentence, while “who” works as a subject.
Q2: Do native English speakers make mistakes with this phrase?
Yes, even native speakers sometimes mix them up, especially in casual speech.
Q3: Is it necessary to follow this rule in informal writing?
In informal writing, mistakes might be overlooked, but in academic or professional contexts, using “some of whom” is essential for credibility.
Q4: How can I remember the difference easily?
A quick tip: if you can replace the word with “him” or “them,” use “whom.” If you can replace it with “he” or “they,” use “who.”
Q5: Will practice really help me avoid confusion?
Absolutely. Regular checks, examples, and patience will make correct usage feel natural.
