Common Error - Whom

whom

pronoun

1

DUBIOUS: Most of the people whom I met were very kind.

GOOD: Most of the people (that) I met were very kind.

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Whom is used only in formal styles: 'Those applicants whom the selection committee recommends for interview should be contacted without delay.' 'The police officer to whom the crime was first reported has been transferred to another unit.' 

In non-formal styles, use that/who or nothing: 'The man (that) she intends to marry comes from Stockport.' 'The girl (that) you were speaking to is a friend of mine.' In non-identifying clauses, however, only who is possible: 'Both girls - who you may remember from Helen's party - have got places at Oxford.'

2

BAD: She is one of the few people whom I think might be good at the job.

GOOD: She is one of the few people who/that I think might be good at the job.

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When you need a subject relative pronoun, use who/that (NOT whom ): 'He was the one who/that came to meet me at the station.'