LAURA FINEBERG COOPER
  • Home
  • EDITING
  • College Essays
  • Tutoring
    • Overview
    • Grades 6-8
    • Grades 9-12
    • Adults
  • Grammar Blog
  • Resume
SIGN UP HERE to receive A SPOONFUL OF GRAMMAR in your inbox!

Spoonful #32: WHOOO'S MIXED UP ABOUT WHO, WHOM, WHOSE, & WHO'S?

10/13/2019

8 Comments

 
Picture
Whooo's ready to discuss
WHO, WHOM, WHO'S, and WHOSE? I pledge to provide some quick and easy ways to tell them apart.
 

Let's begin with lesser used WHOM. Think about all the times you've seen it in print: not many, I bet, since it sounds fussy and formal. Here are the most common examples:

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS, a 1940 novel by Ernest Hemingway.

TO WHOM it may concern: (fill in the blank).

WITH WHOM AM I SPEAKING?

Technically, WHOM is always an object, never a subject. But in my book, there's an easier way to think of it. WHOM looks its formal best when introduced by FOR, TO, or WITH. And since you'd never say or write FOR WHO, TO WHO, or WITH WHO, you'll never get WHO and WHOM mixed up again. 

Now to address WHO'S vs WHOSE. WHO'S is the contraction form of WHO IS, while WHOSE is the possessive form of WHO. With contractions, the component words must fit your sentence too. In other words, if WHO IS doesn't make sense, WHO'S won't either. Here are examples of each:

WHO'S knocking at my door? (Does WHO IS work in that sentence? YES!)

WHOSE bike is parked in front my car? Is it yours? Then move it already! (If the bike belongs to you, it's your possession as well as your responsibility!)

Whooo's confused now? Hopefully, none of you! But if you are, please don't hesitate to ask for clarification. 

Sincerely,
Laura Fineberg Cooper
A Spoonful of Grammar

P.S. 
Spoonfuls #1-#24 are summarized (with links) in Spoonful #25. I'll do another summary in Spoonful #35, and every ten posts after that. 

8 Comments
Kirstine Call link
10/13/2019 04:40:21 pm

This is an important one and somewhat confusing, but not after reading your post!

Reply
Laura Fineberg Cooper link
10/13/2019 10:49:59 pm

Dear Kirsti:
I aim to clear all confusion, and your comment is very reassuring. Thanks so much!!

Reply
Gerald A. Gould
10/13/2019 09:36:42 pm

I know I've violated this many times. It is clearer now.

Reply
Laura Cooper link
10/13/2019 10:51:23 pm

Dear Gerald,
I'm glad this post helped you out, and I appreciate your comment.

Reply
Marcia Strykowski link
10/14/2019 07:27:05 pm

You're right, 'whom' does sound a bit fussy. :) I always hesitate the few times I use it even if it's correct.

Reply
Laura Fineberg Cooper link
10/14/2019 08:02:34 pm

Dear Marcia,
I always hesitate too. I should have added OF to my list of "before" words for whom. I honestly think whom is fading out of use, so should be restricted to special cases only.

Reply
Lisa
10/20/2019 02:35:32 pm

Wow, this is the best explanation I've ever read regarding this topic. WHO'S to say? Well, me for one, WHOSE own writing has no doubt consisted of improper usage of these two words in the past. Thank you for clearing this up!

Reply
Laura Fineberg Cooper link
10/20/2019 08:11:43 pm

Dear Lisa,
I'm thrilled I could clear up your confusion... and I'm blushing from your comments!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Welcome to
    ​A Spoonful of Grammar!

    Swallowing too many grammar rules at once can be hazardous to one's health. That's why my goal is to deliver one spoonful at a time - in the most delightful way.
    ​

    Sincerely,
    Laura Fineberg Cooper

    Archives

    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019

    Categories

    All
    All Summaries
    Grammar
    Punctuation
    Recipes
    Story Elements
    Vocabulary

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • EDITING
  • College Essays
  • Tutoring
    • Overview
    • Grades 6-8
    • Grades 9-12
    • Adults
  • Grammar Blog
  • Resume