Who, Which, That Who and Whom

Rule 1: Who refers to people. That and which refer to groups or things. Examples: Anya is the one who rescued the bird. Lokua is on the team that won first place. She belongs to an organization that specializes in saving endangered species. The sock, which was left on the floor yesterday, is still soaking wet.

Rule 2: That introduces essential clauses while which introduces nonessential clauses. Examples: I do not trust products that claim "all natural ingredients" because this phrase can mean almost anything. ESSENTIAL CLAUSE We would not know which products were being discussed without the that clause.

Rule 2: That introduces essential clauses while which introduces nonessential clauses. Examples: The product claiming "all natural ingredients," which appeared in the Sunday newspaper, is on sale. NONESSENTIAL CLAUSE The product is already identified. Therefore, which begins a nonessential clause.

What is the difference between an essential clause and a nonessential clause? NOTE: Essential clauses do not have commas surrounding them while nonessential clauses are surrounded by commas.

Rule 3: If this, that, these, or those has already introduced an essential clause, you may use which to introduce the next clause, whether it is essential or nonessential. Examples: That is a decision which you must live with for the rest of your life. Those ideas, which we've discussed thoroughly enough, do not need to be addressed again.

NOTE: Often, you can streamline your sentence by leaving out which. Example: That is a decision which you must live with for the rest of your life. Better: That is a decision you must live with for the rest of your life.

NOTE: Often, you can streamline your sentence by leaving out which. Example: That is a decision which you must live with for the rest of your life. [You can get rid of the dangling preposition.] Best: You must live with that decision for the rest of your life.

Who or whom? Rule: Use the he/him method to decide which word is correct. he = who him = whom

Who or whom? he = who him = whom Examples: Who/Whom wrote the letter? He wrote the letter. Him wrote the letter. Therefore, who is correct because he is correct. Who wrote the letter? 

Who or whom? he = who him = whom Examples: For who/whom should I vote? Should I vote for he? Should I vote for him? Therefore, whom is correct because him is correct. For whom should I vote? 

ar_quiz/who_vs_which_1.asp Time to practice!

1. Choose the correct sentence. A) Ahmed is the skydiver that broke his back last week. B) Ahmed is the skydiver whom broke his back last week. C) Ahmed is the skydiver who broke his back last week. D) Ahmed is the skydiver which broke his back last week.

1. Choose the correct sentence. A) Ahmed is the skydiver that broke his back last week. B) Ahmed is the skydiver whom broke his back last week. C) Ahmed is the skydiver who broke his back last week. D) Ahmed is the skydiver which broke his back last week.

Explanation: Use “who” or “whom” when referring to people. Remember the formula: "he = who" "him = whom." You could say, "Ahmed is the skydiver. He broke his back last week."

2. Choose the correct sentence. A) That is a problem who can't be solved without a calculator. B) That is a problem which can't be solved without a calculator. C) That is a problem that can't be solved without a calculator. D) That is a problem whom can't be solved without a calculator.

2. Choose the correct sentence. A) That is a problem who can't be solved without a calculator. B) That is a problem which can't be solved without a calculator. C) That is a problem that can't be solved without a calculator. D) That is a problem whom can't be solved without a calculator.

Explanation: Use “which” to introduce an essential clause if you have already used “that” to introduce a previous clause.

3. Choose the correct sentence. A) That is a promise that cannot be broken. B) That is a promise who cannot be broken. C) That is a promise whom cannot be broken. D) That is a promise which cannot be broken.

3. Choose the correct sentence. A) That is a promise that cannot be broken. B) That is a promise who cannot be broken. C) That is a promise whom cannot be broken. D) That is a promise which cannot be broken.

Explanation: Use “which” to introduce an essential clause if you have already used “that” to introduce a previous clause.

4. Choose the correct sentence. A) The domino theory, who stated that when one country fell to Communism, others in the area would likely fall, was used as an argument to continue the Vietnam War. B) The domino theory, that stated that when one country fell to Communism, others in the area would likely fall, was used as an argument to continue the Vietnam War. C) The domino theory, which stated that when one country fell to Communism, others in the area would likely fall, was used as an argument to continue the Vietnam War. D) The domino theory, whom stated that when one country fell to Communism, others in the area would likely fall, was used as an argument to continue the Vietnam War.

4. Choose the correct sentence. A) The domino theory, who stated that when one country fell to Communism, others in the area would likely fall, was used as an argument to continue the Vietnam War. B) The domino theory, that stated that when one country fell to Communism, others in the area would likely fall, was used as an argument to continue the Vietnam War. C) The domino theory, which stated that when one country fell to Communism, others in the area would likely fall, was used as an argument to continue the Vietnam War. D) The domino theory, whom stated that when one country fell to Communism, others in the area would likely fall, was used as an argument to continue the Vietnam War.

Explanation: Use “which” to introduce a nonessential clause;i.e., one that follows a noun previously identified sufficiently. "Domino theory" is already sufficient identification. Introduce “which” with a comma and follow a “which” clause with a comma if the sentence continues.

5. Choose the correct sentence. A) The game which intrigues Gretchen the most is dominoes. B) The game whom intrigues Gretchen the most is dominoes. C) The game who intrigues Gretchen the most is dominoes. D) The game that intrigues Gretchen the most is dominoes.

5. Choose the correct sentence. A) The game which intrigues Gretchen the most is dominoes. B) The game whom intrigues Gretchen the most is dominoes. C) The game who intrigues Gretchen the most is dominoes. D) The game that intrigues Gretchen the most is dominoes.

Explanation: Use “that” to introduce an essential clause; i.e., one that is necessary to identify a previous word. You don't know which game is being referred to so the information that follows is essential.

6. Choose the correct sentence. A) Gandhi, whom was a role model for nonviolence to millions, was assassinated. B) Gandhi, who was a role model for nonviolence to millions, was assassinated. C) Gandhi, that was a role model for nonviolence to millions, was assassinated. D) Gandhi, which was a role model for nonviolence to millions, was assassinated.

6. Choose the correct sentence. A) Gandhi, whom was a role model for nonviolence to millions, was assassinated. B) Gandhi, who was a role model for nonviolence to millions, was assassinated. C) Gandhi, that was a role model for nonviolence to millions, was assassinated. D) Gandhi, which was a role model for nonviolence to millions, was assassinated.

Explanation: Use “who” or “whom” when referring to people. Remember the formula: "he = who" "him = whom." You could say, "Gandhi was assassinated. He was a role model for nonviolence to millions." Note that the main clause was interrupted by another clause.

7. Choose the correct sentence. A) The tomatoes that grow in her garden are unlike those you buy in a store. B) The tomatoes which grow in her garden are unlike those you buy in a store. C) The tomatoes who grow in her garden are unlike those you buy in a store. D) The tomatoes whom grow in her garden are unlike those you buy in a store.

7. Choose the correct sentence. A) The tomatoes that grow in her garden are unlike those you buy in a store. B) The tomatoes which grow in her garden are unlike those you buy in a store. C) The tomatoes who grow in her garden are unlike those you buy in a store. D) The tomatoes whom grow in her garden are unlike those you buy in a store.

Explanation: Use “that” to introduce an essential clause; i.e., one that is necessary to identify a previous word. You wouldn't know which tomatoes were being referred to so the clause that follows is essential for identification.

8. Choose the correct sentence. A) The tomatoes from her garden, that grew larger than those in the grocery store, were sweet and ripe. B) The tomatoes from her garden, who grew larger than those in the grocery store, were sweet and ripe. C) The tomatoes from her garden, which grew larger than those in the grocery store, were sweet and ripe. D) The tomatoes from her garden, whom grew larger than those in the grocery store, were sweet and ripe.

8. Choose the correct sentence. A) The tomatoes from her garden, that grew larger than those in the grocery store, were sweet and ripe. B) The tomatoes from her garden, who grew larger than those in the grocery store, were sweet and ripe. C) The tomatoes from her garden, which grew larger than those in the grocery store, were sweet and ripe. D) The tomatoes from her garden, whom grew larger than those in the grocery store, were sweet and ripe.

Explanation: Use “which” to introduce a nonessential clause; i.e., one that follows a noun previously identified sufficiently. Introduce “which” with a comma and follow a “which” clause with a comma if the sentence continues. Because of the phrase "from her garden," you already know which tomatoes were sweet and ripe.

9. Choose the correct sentence. A) The baker which baked that bread should win an award. B) The baker whom baked that bread should win an award. C) The baker that baked that bread should win an award. D) The baker who baked that bread should win an award.

9. Choose the correct sentence. A) The baker which baked that bread should win an award. B) The baker whom baked that bread should win an award. C) The baker that baked that bread should win an award. D) The baker who baked that bread should win an award.

Explanation: Explanation: Use “who” or “whom” when referring to people. Remember the formula: "he = who" "him = whom." You could say, "The baker should win an award. He baked that bread." Note that the main clause was interrupted by another clause.

Some finer points: 1. Who (and its inflections, whom and whose) is used to refer only to people or to entities treated as people (e.g., gods, or anthropomorphized pets).

One exception to this rule is that when it would be awkward to use the possessive phrase of which, the possessive whose may be used to refer to things, although a restructuring of the sentence will usually make even this exception unnecessary.

Here is an example of whose correctly used to refer to a thing: That is the mansion whose three-hundred- year history has inspired so many local legends.

2. That is used to refer to animals, things, or people. Although as a general rule who is preferred for people, that is also acceptable for referring to people when the relative clause is restrictive, and sometimes using that will make the sentence read better.

Which of these examples is/are correct? 1. This is the boy who stole money from an old man who had gone out of his way to help him. 2. This is the boy that stole money from an old man that had gone out of his way to help him. 3. This is the boy that stole money from an old man who had gone out of his way to help him. 4. This is the boy who stole money from an old man that had gone out of his way to help him.

Although all of four these sentences are "correct," the last two examples read better than the first two, because they avoid awkward repetitions. 1. This is the boy who stole money from an old man who had gone out of his way to help him. 2. This is the boy that stole money from an old man that had gone out of his way to help him. 3. This is the boy that stole money from an old man who had gone out of his way to help him. 4. This is the boy who stole money from an old man that had gone out of his way to help him.

3. Which is used to refer to things or animals, not people.