Some of Whom or Some of Who? Here’s the Correct Usage

When I first started learning English, I often stumbled upon grammar questions that challenged my understanding. The topic of Some of Whom or Some of Who often confuses many learners, including me, because both seem natural when talking about people, yet only one form is correct in standard English. The short answer lies in the rules – “some of whom” fits perfectly, and the reasons behind it are rooted in traditional grammar logic that values clarity and precision.

Understanding “Who” vs. “Whom”

The root of the confusion comes from the difference between who and whom. These two pronouns look similar, but they serve very different grammatical functions.

• Who is a subject pronoun? It refers to the person doing an action.
• Whom is an object pronoun. It refers to the person receiving an action.

Here’s a quick comparison table:

Pronoun	Case	Function	Example
Who	Subjective	Does the action (like he/she)	Who is calling?
Whom	Objective	Receives the action (like him/her)	To whom did you speak?

Think of it this way:

• If you can replace the word with he/she, use who.
• If you can replace it with him/her, use whom.

This simple test works in almost every case.

When to Use “Who” (Subjective Case)

The subjective case means the pronoun is acting as the subject of a clause – the “doer” of the action.

Examples of correct use of who:

• “Who is knocking at the door?”
• “The teacher, who explained the lesson clearly, received applause.”
• “It was Maria who solved the problem.”

Notice that in all these examples, who is performing the action – it is the subject of the verb that follows.

This is why “some of who” is incorrect: in the phrase, who is not the subject, but the object following the preposition of.

When to Use “Whom” (Objective Case)

The objective case is used when the pronoun is the object of a verb or a preposition.

Examples of correct use of whom:

• “To whom did you speak?” (object of the preposition to)
• “They are the candidates whom we interviewed yesterday.” (object of the verb interviewed)
• “The artist, with whom she collaborated, is famous worldwide.” (object of preposition with)

In each case, whom is not doing the action – it is receiving the action or following a preposition.

Since “some of” ends with the preposition of, the word that follows must be in the objective case, which means whom, not who.

Why “Some of Whom” Is Correct

Let’s break the phrase down:

• “Some of” = indicates part of a larger group.
• The pronoun after “of” must be in the objective case.
• Therefore, the correct structure is “some of whom.”

Incorrect: ❌ “Some of who”
Correct: ✅ “Some of whom”

Example in Context:

• “I spoke to many researchers, some of whom were specialists in linguistics.”

Here, “some of whom” introduces additional information about researchers. The pronoun is the object of the preposition of, so it must be whom.

Grammar Rules That Support “Some of Whom”

Several grammar principles confirm why “some of whom” is correct:

• Prepositions take objective pronouns
  • Examples: of him, of her, with them, by whom.
  • You never say “of he” or “of she.” Likewise, you cannot say “of who.”
• Relative pronouns reflect their function in the clause
  • “Who” = subject of the verb in the relative clause.
  • “Whom” = object of the verb or preposition in the relative clause.
• Formal grammar follows traditional rules
  • While everyday speech sometimes drops “whom,” in academic, professional, and written English, “whom” is still necessary in such cases.

Practical Examples of “Some of Whom” in Context

Let’s see how this phrase works in different types of sentences.

Everyday Examples

• “I invited twenty colleagues, some of whom declined due to travel.”
• “She adopted several rescue dogs, some of whom were injured.”
• “We visited old friends, some of whom we hadn’t seen in years.”

Academic Examples

• “The committee reviewed 100 proposals, some of whom were from international scholars.”
• “Participants, some of whom were first-generation college students, faced unique challenges.”

Literary/Journalistic Examples

• “The refugees, some of whom were children, arrived at the border.”
• She wrote letters to her friends, some of whom responded with great warmth.”

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

Mistake 1: Using “Some of Who”

People often mistakenly write “some of who” because “who” feels more natural. However, this is grammatically incorrect because it follows a preposition.

Mistake 2: Thinking “Whom” is Old-Fashioned

It’s true that in casual conversation, “whom” is often replaced by “who.” But in formal writing, “whom” is still the standard and is considered grammatically correct.

Mistake 3: Misidentifying the Subject

Some assume that “whom” is always too formal or unnecessary. In fact, its use depends entirely on whether the pronoun is functioning as subject or object.

Tricks to Always Get It Right

Grammar doesn’t have to be hard. Here are some quick methods to avoid mistakes:

• The Him/Her Test:
  Replace “who/whom” with “he/him” or “she/her.” If “him/her” fits, use “whom.”
  • “Some of [him] → some of whom” ✅
• Check the Preposition Rule:
  If there’s a preposition before the word, it must be whom.
• Formal Writing Reminder:
  In essays, reports, and business writing, always use whom in objective cases – it signals precision and correctness.

Comparing Similar Phrases

Sometimes, learners confuse “some of whom” with other similar structures. Let’s break them down.

“Some of Them” vs “Some of Whom”

• “Some of them” = not a relative clause. Works independently.
  • Example: “I know some of them.”
• “Some of whom” = introduces a clause adding information about a noun.
  • Example: “I know several people, some of whom are doctors.”

“Some of Which” (Non-Human References)

• Used when referring to things, not people.
  • Example: “He bought three cars, some of which were antiques.”

Here’s a comparison table:

Phrase	Refers to	Example
Some of whom	People	“I met many students, some of whom were athletes.”
Some of them	People/things (general)	“I know some of them.”
Some of which	Things/animals	“He wrote five books, some of which became bestsellers.”

Case Studies: Correcting Sentences

Let’s look at some real-world corrections.

• ❌ “I met several authors, some of who signed my book.”
  ✅ “I met several authors, some of whom signed my book.”
• ❌ “She talked to the guests, some of who had arrived early.”
  ✅ “She talked to the guests, some of whom had arrived early.”
• ❌ “We interviewed 10 candidates, some of who were qualified.”
  ✅ “We interviewed 10 candidates, some of whom were qualified.”
• ❌ “They adopted five kittens, some of who were sick.”
  ✅ “They adopted five kittens, some of whom were sick.”
• ❌ “The refugees, some of who were injured, sought shelter.”
  ✅ “The refugees, some of whom were injured, sought shelter.”

These corrections illustrate how “whom” correctly follows “of” in each sentence.

Conclusion

Mastering the difference between “Some of Whom or Some of Who” is not just about following grammar rules, but about improving the clarity and confidence in your English. When you understand why “some of whom” is the correct and standard form, you naturally begin to express ideas more precisely. These small grammatical distinctions shape how we communicate, ensuring that our writing and speech sound both fluent and professional. Every learner who studies this concept begins to appreciate the importance of accuracy and detail in language use.

Over time, practicing the correct usage of “some of whom” helps you avoid mistakes and express complex ideas effortlessly. It encourages learners to focus on communication rather than confusion. Once you grasp these simple rules, you’ll find that your grammar improves naturally, and your confidence grows with it. Whether you’re writing essays, reports, or speaking in public, choosing the right form strengthens your overall linguistic ability. The journey from confusion to clarity is what makes language learning fulfilling and effective.

FAQs

What is the correct phrase, “some of whom” or “some of who”?

The correct phrase is “some of whom,” used when referring to part of a group of people.

Why is “some of who” incorrect?

“Whom” functions as the object of a verb or preposition, while “who” serves as the subject.

When should I use “whom”?

Use “whom” when the person receives the action, not performs it.

Can “some of whom” start a sentence?

Yes, but it’s uncommon; it usually follows a noun phrase.

Is “whom” still used in modern English?

Yes, though less frequently, it remains correct in formal writing.

How can I test when to use “whom”?

Replace it with “him” or “her.” If it fits, use “whom.”

Why do learners confuse “who” and “whom”?

Both refer to people, but their grammatical roles differ.

Are there other phrases like “some of whom”?

Yes, similar phrases include “many of whom” or “few of whom.”

Do native speakers always use “whom” correctly?

Not always – many use “who” informally even when “whom” is correct.

How can I remember this rule easily?

Practice with examples daily and review basic grammar structure regularly.