When you start writing, understanding Some Of Whom Or Some Of Who is key: it helps learners and native speakers avoid confusion and stumble over grammar rules, ensuring your phrases, sentences, and usage are precise, polished, and professional, while confidence grows with each practice.
I always suggest using practical tricks to explore the structure, context, and meaning. Don’t second-guess yourself; focus on examples, real-world examples, and illustration. Even small mistakes in phrases, syntax, semantics, or style can affect clarity, but step by step guidance builds understanding, boosts confidence, and shapes your writing process.
Finally, mix formal English, casual conversation, and writing exercises. Pay attention to subtle details, tricky points, and short sentences. Continuous review, checking, and practice strengthen skill, knowledge, and communication. Over time, correctness, accuracy, and apply5ing rules confidently become natural, and every sentence you write reinforces your mastery of English.
Why “Some of Who” Trips Up Everyone
Imagine someone says, “Some of who are coming to the event?” At first glance, it may feel okay. But in formal writing, this sentence is grammatically off.
The root of the problem is that English speakers naturally favor “who”, even when “whom” is correct. Over time, people forget the object pronoun rules entirely. This leads to sentences that are casual-sounding but formally incorrect.
Think of it this way: “who” is the subject pronoun—like the person taking the action. “Whom” is the object pronoun—the person receiving the action. Using the wrong one is like putting a key in the wrong lock: it might work in casual speech, but it’s awkward in formal writing.
The Root of the Confusion
The confusion comes down to subject vs object pronouns:
- Who acts as the subject. It performs the action in a sentence.
- Whom acts as the object. It receives the action or follows a preposition.
Examples:
- Who is coming to the meeting? → “Who” is performing the action.
- You invited whom to the meeting? → “Whom” receives the action.
Historically, “whom” appeared much more often in English writing. Today, casual speech tends to ignore it, but formal writing still requires “whom” after prepositions or as an object.
Quick Grammar Refresher
Let’s refresh the basics of subject and object pronouns. This table shows how they relate:
| Pronoun Type | Subject Example | Object Example |
| Person | Who called you? | Whom did you call? |
| He/Him | He is attending | I saw him |
A simple trick is the he/him test: replace the pronoun with “he” or “him.” If “him” fits, use whom. If “he” fits, use who.
Prepositions and “Whom”
A major clue for using whom is the presence of prepositions like to, with, by, for, from. These words usually signal that the pronoun is the object.
Example:
- Correct: Several authors, some of whom specialize in grammar, attended the seminar.
- Incorrect: Several authors, some of who specialize in grammar, attended the seminar.
Here, “some of whom” follows the preposition “of” and acts as the object in the sentence.
Why “Some of Whom” Is Correct
Consider this sentence:
“They invited several authors, some of whom specialize in grammar.”
- “They invited several authors” → main clause
- “some of whom specialize in grammar” → relative clause modifying “authors”
The relative pronoun “whom” refers to “authors” and is the object of the preposition “of.” Using who here would be grammatically incorrect.
Key rule: Whenever the pronoun is the object of a preposition, use “whom.”
Dissecting Sentences for Clarity
Breaking down sentences helps internalize the rule. Here are a few examples:
- “Several team members, some of whom are managers, attended the meeting.”
- “Some of whom” refers back to “team members” and follows the preposition “of.”
- “They met several speakers, some of whom had written bestselling books.”
- Highlights that “some of whom” functions as the object.
- “The students, some of whom had studied abroad, presented their projects.”
- Shows usage in education and formal writing.
By identifying the subject and object in each sentence, the rule becomes intuitive.
Where You Actually See “Some of Whom”
Even though it feels formal, “some of whom” is common in professional writing:
- Academic papers: Describing research participants
- Legal documents: Specifying individuals or parties
- Professional emails: Invitations, formal announcements
- Journalism and books: Detailing people or groups
In casual conversation, “some of who” might appear, but formal writing prefers “whom.”
How to Decide: Practical Tricks
The He/Him Test
Substitute “he” or “him”:
- Some of him → some of whom ✅
- Some of he → some of who ❌
The Preposition Rule
Check if a preposition comes before the pronoun:
- Preposition present → use whom
- No preposition → consider if it’s the subject or object
Decision Flow
Ask yourself:
- Is the pronoun the subject? → Who
- Is it after a preposition or the object? → Whom
This simple method prevents errors in real-time writing.
Non-Human References: “Some of Which”
Remember: “whom” only applies to people. For things, use “which.”
Examples:
- Correct: Several books, some of which were damaged, were returned.
- Incorrect: Several books, some of whom were damaged, were returned.
This distinction is crucial for accuracy in professional writing.
Common Mistakes and Pitfalls
Even native speakers make these errors:
- Misplacing prepositions: “Some who I met” → should be “some of whom I met.”
- Overusing “who”: Avoid replacing all “whom” with “who” in formal contexts.
- Ignoring style guides: Chicago Manual and AP still recommend “whom” after prepositions.
Pro tip: Reading sentences aloud often reveals mistakes instantly.
Advanced Grammar Notes
For editors and grammar enthusiasts:
- Modern usage: Some writers drop “whom” in formal writing, but this is stylistic rather than grammatical.
- Nested clauses: “Some of whom” can appear multiple times in complex sentences.
Example:
“The researchers, several of whom had extensive field experience, collaborated on the project, some of whom later published findings.”
Correct usage in nested clauses ensures clarity and professionalism.
Case Studies in Editing and Copywriting
Newspaper Example:
- Original: “The council members, some of who supported the motion, voted.”
- Edited: “The council members, some of whom supported the motion, voted.”
- Result: Clarity improved; professional tone preserved.
Academic Paper Example:
- Original: “Participants, some of who reported symptoms, were excluded.”
- Edited: “Participants, some of whom reported symptoms, were excluded.”
- Aligned with APA and Chicago style guides.
Marketing Copy Example:
- Original: “Writers, some of who contributed to bestselling novels, attended the workshop.”
- Edited: “Writers, some of whom contributed to bestselling novels, attended the workshop.”
- Ensures polished, credible copy.
Quick Recap & Cheat Sheet
| Rule | Correct Example | Incorrect Example |
| Object of preposition → use “whom” | Some of whom you met are here. | Some of who you met are here. |
| Subject of verb → use “who” | Who is coming to the meeting? | Whom is coming to the meeting? |
| Referring to things → use “which” | Books, some of which were old, were discarded. | Books, some of whom were old, discarded. |
Daily tip: Substitute with him/him to test quickly.
Conclusion
Mastering Some Of Whom Or Some Of Who transforms your writing from hesitant to confident, precise, and professional. By focusing on grammar rules, understanding who versus whom, and practising with examples and real-world sentences, you strengthen your clarity, communication, and overall skill. Remember, even small steps, like checking phrases, syntax, and style, can make a big difference. With regular practice, reviewing mistakes, and using step by step guidance, you’ll write confidently and correctly every time.
FAQs
Q1: When should I use “some of whom” instead of “some of who”?
Use some of whom when referring to the object of a clause and some of who when referring to the subject.
Q2: Can beginners confidently use “whom” in everyday writing?
Yes, with practice, examples, and step by step guidance, beginners can master correct usage without second-guessing themselves.
Q3: Are there any practical tips to remember the difference?
Read sentences aloud, focus on grammar rules, identify the subject and object, and check if the sentence sounds natural.
Q4: Does using “some of whom” make writing sound formal?
Yes, it often adds a polished, professional, and precise touch, especially in essays, reports, or formal English writing.
Q5: How can I practice effectively?
Mix formal English, casual conversation, and writing exercises. Use examples, review mistakes, and keep applying practical tricks to boost confidence.
