Some of Whom or Some of Who? The Correct Usage Explained
Navigating the nuances of English grammar can sometimes feel like traversing a linguistic minefield. One common point of confusion arises with the seemingly simple phrases “some of whom” and “some of who.” While they appear interchangeable at first glance, understanding their distinct grammatical roles is key to writing with precision and confidence.
This article will demystify the usage of “some of whom” and “some of who,” providing clear explanations, illustrative examples, and practical advice to help you master these often-misunderstood grammatical constructions. By the end, you’ll be equipped to choose the correct phrase every time, enhancing the clarity and professionalism of your writing.
Understanding Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns are the foundation upon which phrases like “some of whom” and “some of who” are built. These pronouns, such as who, whom, which, and that, introduce subordinate clauses and connect them to the main part of a sentence. They refer back to a noun or pronoun, known as the antecedent, providing additional information.
The critical distinction between “who” and “whom” lies in their grammatical case. “Who” functions as a subject pronoun, performing the action of a verb. Conversely, “whom” serves as an object pronoun, receiving the action of the verb or following a preposition.
Mastering this subject-object distinction is paramount. Think of it like the difference between “he” (subject) and “him” (object). If you can substitute “he” or “she,” use “who.” If you can substitute “him” or “her,” use “whom.”
The Role of “Whom” in “Some of Whom”
The phrase “some of whom” is used when the pronoun refers to people and functions as the object within its clause. This means that the “some” in this context are the recipients of an action or the object of a preposition. The antecedent, the noun or pronoun that “whom” refers to, is plural.
Consider a sentence like: “She interviewed several candidates, and some of whom were highly qualified.” Here, “whom” refers to the “several candidates.” Within the subordinate clause “whom were highly qualified,” the candidates are the subject of the verb “were.” This example highlights a common pitfall, as “whom” here actually acts as the subject of the dependent clause. The correct analysis requires looking at the entire structure.
Let’s re-examine: “She interviewed several candidates, some of whom she decided to hire.” In this revised sentence, “whom” refers to the “several candidates.” Within the clause “whom she decided to hire,” “whom” is the direct object of the verb “decided.” The subject is “she.” This is the classic scenario for using “whom.”
Another way to test this is to isolate the relative clause and substitute “he/him” or “she/her.” If the clause were “she decided to hire them,” and “them” refers to the candidates, then “whom” is correct. The pronoun “whom” takes the objective case because it is the object of the verb “hire.”
When “some of whom” introduces a non-restrictive clause—one that provides extra, non-essential information—it is typically preceded by a comma. For example: “The committee reviewed the applications, some of whom were flagged for further investigation.” The comma signals that the information about flagging applications is additional detail, not crucial for identifying which applications were reviewed.
Conversely, in restrictive clauses, which are essential for identifying the antecedent, no comma is used. However, “some of whom” almost always appears in non-restrictive contexts because it’s specifying a subset of a previously identified group. The structure inherently adds descriptive information.
The key takeaway is that the “some” in “some of whom” are the objects of some action or preposition within the relative clause. The antecedent is always plural, and the pronoun refers to people.
The Function of “Who” in “Some of Who”
The phrase “some of who” is used when the pronoun refers to people and functions as the subject within its clause. In this construction, the “some” are performing the action of the verb. The antecedent is again plural, but the grammatical role of the pronoun shifts.
Consider the sentence: “There were many participants, some of who completed the survey.” Here, “who” refers to the “many participants.” Within the clause “who completed the survey,” “who” is the subject performing the action of the verb “completed.” This is the correct usage for “some of who.”
To verify, try the substitution test. If the clause were “they completed the survey,” and “they” refers to the participants, then “who” is correct. The pronoun “who” takes the subjective case because it is the subject of the verb “completed.”
This grammatical structure implies that the “some” are actively doing something. They are the agents of the action described in the relative clause. The antecedent is a plural noun or pronoun referring to people.
Unlike “some of whom,” the phrase “some of who” is less common in formal writing. This is partly due to the tendency to avoid “who” as a subject when it follows a preposition like “of,” even when it functions correctly as a subject. However, it is grammatically sound when the “who” is indeed the subject of the subordinate clause.
The clarity of the sentence structure is paramount. If the individuals referred to are performing the action, then “some of who” is the grammatically appropriate choice, despite its less frequent appearance in polished prose.
The crucial element is identifying whether the pronoun acts as the subject or object. If the “some” are the doers, “who” is correct. If the “some” are acted upon or are the object of a preposition, “whom” is the correct choice.
When to Use “Some of Whom” vs. “Some of Who”
The decision between “some of whom” and “some of who” hinges entirely on the grammatical function of the relative pronoun within its own clause. This is the single most important factor in determining correctness.
If the pronoun (and by extension, the “some” it represents) is the subject of the verb in the dependent clause, use “who.” For example: “We invited ten friends, some of who RSVPed immediately.” Here, “who” is the subject of “RSVPed.”
If the pronoun (and the “some” it represents) is the object of a verb or a preposition in the dependent clause, use “whom.” For instance: “She spoke to the delegates, some of whom offered their support.” Here, “whom” is the object of the preposition “of” (understood as “some of them offered their support,” where “them” is the object of “of”). More directly, if the clause were “she offered them their support,” “whom” would be the object of “offered.”
A simple trick is to rephrase the relative clause as a separate sentence. If you can replace “who/whom” with “he/she/they,” use “who.” If you can replace it with “him/her/them,” use “whom.”
Let’s apply this to “some of whom.” Sentence: “The artists presented their work, some of whom received critical acclaim.” Rephrased clause: “They received critical acclaim.” Since “they” is a subject pronoun, this seems to suggest “who.” However, the structure is “some of them received critical acclaim.” The “of” is key. “Whom” is the object of the preposition “of” in this construction.
Consider “some of who.” Sentence: “Many students applied, some of who are now pursuing advanced degrees.” Rephrased clause: “They are now pursuing advanced degrees.” “They” is a subject pronoun, confirming “who” is correct here.
The phrase “some of whom” is significantly more common in formal writing and everyday speech. This prevalence stems from the fact that relative clauses introduced by “whom” often involve prepositions or direct objects, which are frequent scenarios for object pronouns.
The usage of “some of who” is grammatically correct when the pronoun clearly functions as the subject of its clause. However, it can sometimes sound awkward or less polished to native speakers, leading to its less frequent application, even when technically correct.
Always prioritize clarity and grammatical accuracy. If the pronoun is the subject, “who” is the correct choice, regardless of its perceived formality. If it’s an object, “whom” is mandatory.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
A prevalent error is the overuse of “who” when “whom” is required. This often happens because “who” is the more frequently used pronoun, and its subjective case is more familiar.
Forgetting that “whom” is an object pronoun is a primary reason for this mistake. People might instinctively use “who” because it feels natural, without analyzing its role in the sentence’s structure.
Conversely, some writers might incorrectly use “whom” when “who” is appropriate. This can occur when they are trying too hard to sound formal or when they misunderstand the subject-object distinction.
The “he/him” or “she/her” substitution test is your most reliable tool for avoiding these errors. Apply it diligently to ensure you’re using the correct case.
Another pitfall is misidentifying the antecedent or the clause in which the relative pronoun operates. Ensure you are analyzing the correct part of the sentence.
Pay close attention to prepositions. “Whom” almost always follows a preposition (e.g., “to whom,” “for whom,” “with whom”). If “some of” precedes “who/whom,” and the “some” are objects, then “whom” is the correct choice.
When in doubt, read the sentence aloud. Sometimes, the grammatical correctness of a phrase becomes more apparent when spoken, allowing your ear to catch awkward or incorrect constructions.
Consider the context. Formal writing generally demands stricter adherence to the rules of “who” versus “whom.” In more casual settings, the distinction might be blurred, but for professional or academic purposes, precision is key.
Examples in Different Contexts
Let’s explore practical applications. In a business meeting scenario: “We discussed the project proposals, some of whom were immediately approved.” This sentence is incorrect. The “some” are not doing the approving; they are the recipients of the approval. The correct phrasing is: “We discussed the project proposals, some of which were immediately approved” (if referring to proposals) or, if referring to people who submitted proposals, “We discussed the project proposals, some of whom were immediately approved.” Here, “whom” refers to people and is the object of the implied verb within the clause, meaning they *received* approval.
A more accurate example for “some of whom”: “The committee reviewed the applications, some of whom demonstrated exceptional merit.” Here, “whom” refers to the applicants, and they are the subject of the verb “demonstrated.” This sentence is grammatically sound.
Now, consider an example for “some of who”: “There were many volunteers, some of who eagerly embraced the challenging tasks.” In this sentence, “who” refers to the volunteers, and they are the subject of the verb “embraced.” This usage is correct.
Contrast this with a similar sentence where “whom” is needed: “She met with the donors, some of whom she thanked personally.” Here, “whom” refers to the donors, and they are the direct object of the verb “thanked.” The sentence correctly uses “whom.”
In academic writing: “The researchers presented their findings, some of whom proposed novel methodologies.” This sentence is correct because “whom” refers to the researchers, and they are the subject of the verb “proposed.”
If the sentence were: “The researchers presented their findings, some of whom were awarded grants for their work.” Here, “whom” refers to the researchers, and they are the recipients of the grants (object of the implied verb “awarded”). Thus, “whom” is correct.
In creative writing, the rules still apply, but the stylistic choices might differ. However, for clarity and impact, adhering to grammatical standards is always beneficial. “He encountered several old friends, some of who seemed overjoyed to see him.” This is correct because “who” refers to the friends and is the subject of “seemed.”
Consider this variation: “He encountered several old friends, some of whom he had not seen in years.” This is also correct because “whom” refers to the friends, and they are the direct object of the verb “seen.”
The “Of Whom” vs. “Of Who” Construction
The construction “of whom” is a prepositional phrase where “whom” acts as the object of the preposition “of.” This phrase is used when referring to people and when the pronoun is in the objective case.
For example, in “the members, of whom many were absent,” “whom” refers to the members, and it is the object of the preposition “of.” The phrase “of whom” correctly introduces the subordinate clause specifying that many of these members were absent.
The construction “of who” is less common and, in many formal contexts, considered incorrect when “whom” would be the grammatically appropriate object. However, as previously discussed, “of who” is correct if “who” functions as the subject of the subordinate clause.
Consider the sentence: “There were several applicants, of who only a few were selected.” This sentence is grammatically sound because “who” refers to the applicants, and “who” is the subject of the verb “were selected” in the subordinate clause.
The distinction is subtle but critical. The preposition “of” often signals the need for the objective case (“whom”). However, the structure “some of who” bypasses this rule because “who” is the subject of its own clause, not the object of “of.”
In essence, when you see “of” followed by “who/whom,” analyze the role of the pronoun *within its own clause*. If it’s the subject, use “who.” If it’s an object (of a verb or another preposition), use “whom.”
The prevalence of “of whom” in formal English is due to the frequent grammatical scenarios where a preposition is followed by an object pronoun referring to people.
Understanding this specific construction clarifies why “some of whom” is so common, as it often follows this pattern where the “some” are indeed objects or the recipients of an action governed by a preposition.
Prepositional Phrases and “Whom”
Prepositions play a significant role in determining the correct usage of “whom.” When a relative pronoun refers to people and immediately follows a preposition, “whom” is almost always the correct choice because the pronoun is the object of that preposition.
Examples include “to whom,” “with whom,” “about whom,” “for whom,” and, crucially for our discussion, “of whom.” In these instances, the pronoun is receiving the action or is the entity that the preposition relates to the rest of the sentence.
The phrase “some of whom” inherently contains the preposition “of.” Therefore, the critical question becomes: is the “some” that “whom” represents functioning as the object of “of” in its clause, or is “whom” itself the subject of a verb within that clause?
If the sentence structure implies “some of them,” where “them” is the object of “of,” then “whom” is correct. This is often the case when “some of whom” introduces a non-restrictive clause that adds descriptive information about a previously mentioned group.
Consider: “She introduced the team members, of whom she was very proud.” Here, “whom” refers to “team members,” and it is the object of the preposition “of.” The phrase “of whom” correctly introduces the clause describing her pride.
If, however, the structure implies that the “some” are performing an action, then “who” is used, even after “of.” For instance: “There were many volunteers, of who showed up early.” This is grammatically sound, with “who” acting as the subject of “showed up.”
The presence of a preposition directly preceding the relative pronoun is a strong indicator that “whom” is likely required, provided the pronoun is functioning as an object. This rule is a cornerstone of correct pronoun case usage.
It’s essential to remember that the preposition might not always be immediately before “who/whom.” It could be further back in the sentence, but if the relative pronoun is the object of that preposition, “whom” is still the correct choice.
“Who” vs. “Whom” in Questions
While this article focuses on relative clauses, understanding “who” versus “whom” in direct questions can reinforce the core grammatical principle. This understanding can indirectly aid in analyzing their function in relative clauses.
When asking a question where the pronoun is the subject of the verb, use “who.” For example: “Who is coming to the party?” Here, “who” is performing the action of coming.
When asking a question where the pronoun is the object of the verb or a preposition, use “whom.” For example: “Whom did you invite?” You invited *him/her*, so “whom” is correct. Another example: “To whom should I address this letter?” The letter is addressed *to him/her*, making “whom” the object of the preposition “to.”
A helpful trick for questions is to answer the question using “he/him” or “she/her.” If “he” or “she” fits, the question should use “who.” If “him” or “her” fits, the question should use “whom.”
Applying this to relative clauses: if you can mentally rephrase the subordinate clause as a question where “he/him” or “she/her” fits, you can determine the correct case for the relative pronoun.
This reinforces the fundamental subject-object distinction that governs the use of both “who” and “whom” in all grammatical contexts, including the “some of whom” and “some of who” constructions.
By mastering the interrogative form, one gains a clearer perspective on the objective and subjective roles these pronouns play.
The Nuance of “Some Of”
The phrase “some of” itself indicates that we are referring to a portion or a subset of a larger group. This inherent characteristic is why these phrases often appear when specifying a part of a previously mentioned plural antecedent.
The key is that “some” is a determiner or pronoun that modifies or stands in for a noun. When it’s followed by “of,” it introduces the group from which “some” is being taken.
Therefore, the grammatical case of the pronoun following “of” depends entirely on its function *within the relative clause it introduces*, not just its relationship to the word “some.” This is a common point of confusion.
Whether you use “who” or “whom” after “some of” is dictated by whether that pronoun acts as a subject or an object in its own clause. The word “some” does not change this fundamental rule.
It is this precise interplay between the determiner “some,” the preposition “of,” and the subsequent relative pronoun’s grammatical role that makes the distinction between “some of whom” and “some of who” so important.
Understanding that “some of” simply sets up the context for referring to a part of a group is the first step; the second is analyzing the pronoun’s function within its own clause.
This analysis, rather than any inherent property of the phrase “some of,” is the ultimate determinant of correct usage.
Formal vs. Informal Usage
In formal writing, such as academic papers, professional reports, and official documents, the distinction between “who” and “whom” is rigorously maintained. Using “whom” correctly in objective cases is a hallmark of formal prose.
Therefore, in formal contexts, you will almost always see “some of whom” when the pronoun refers to people and functions as an object. The use of “some of who” in such contexts, while technically correct if the grammar dictates it, might still be perceived as less polished by some prescriptive grammarians.
In informal speech and writing, such as casual emails or conversations, the usage of “whom” is often less strict. People may frequently substitute “who” for “whom,” even when “whom” is grammatically correct, simply because it sounds more natural or is easier to say.
However, even in informal settings, using “who” when it’s clearly the subject is always correct. The informality primarily affects the acceptance of “who” in objective roles.
For clarity and to ensure your writing is appropriate for all audiences, it is best to adhere to the formal rules, especially in professional or academic settings. This ensures precision and avoids potential misinterpretations or perceptions of grammatical error.
Mastering the formal usage provides a solid foundation that can be adapted or relaxed depending on the context, but understanding the strict rules is paramount.
The goal is to communicate effectively, and correct grammar is a significant tool in achieving that clarity.
Final Check: The Ultimate Test
Before finalizing any piece of writing, conduct a final check specifically for the usage of “some of whom” and “some of who.” This focused review can catch errors that might have been overlooked during general proofreading.
Isolate the sentence containing the phrase in question. Identify the antecedent (the noun or pronoun the relative pronoun refers to) and ensure it’s plural and refers to people.
Next, analyze the subordinate clause introduced by “who” or “whom.” Mentally remove “some of” and see if “who” or “whom” acts as the subject or object of the remaining verb or preposition.
If you can substitute “he/she/they” for the pronoun, use “who.” If you can substitute “him/her/them,” use “whom.” This is the ultimate test for correctness.
Remember that “some of whom” is used when the pronoun is an object (of a verb or preposition), and “some of who” is used when the pronoun is a subject. While “some of whom” is far more common, “some of who” is grammatically valid when the structure demands it.
Trust this systematic approach. By applying these steps consistently, you will confidently navigate the complexities of these phrases and enhance the grammatical integrity of your writing.
This methodical verification ensures accuracy and elevates the quality of your communication.