If you have ever paused mid-sentence and asked yourself, “Wait, is it some of whom or some of who?” — you are not alone. This is one of the most common stumbling blocks in English grammar, even for confident writers. The good news is that the rule behind it is simple once you understand how “who” and “whom” actually work.
In this guide, we will break down the grammar rule in plain English, show you the easiest test to check your sentence, walk through dozens of real examples, and give you memory tricks so you never second-guess yourself again.
Short answer: “Some of whom” is correct. “Some of who” is grammatically wrong in standard English.
Let’s find out exactly why.
What Is the Difference Between “Who” and “Whom”?
Meaning and Definition
“Who” and “whom” are both pronouns used to refer to people. The difference between them is not about meaning — both point to a person or people — but about grammatical function in a sentence.
- Who is a subject pronoun. It acts as the verb.
- Whom is an object pronoun. It receives the action, or it follows a preposition.
Grammar Explanation
Think of “who” and “whom” the same way you think of “he” and “him,” or “she” and “her.”
- “He called me.” → subject
- “I called him.” → object
“Who” works like “he/she/they.” “Whom” works like “him/her/them.”
Pronunciation
- Who — /huː/ (rhymes with “boo”)
- Whom — /huːm/ (rhymes with “room”)
Word Origin
Both words come from Old English. “Who” descends from hwā, and “whom” comes from hwām, the dative case form used for objects and after prepositions. English used to have more case endings than it does today, and “whom” is one of the last survivors of that older system — which is exactly why it feels old-fashioned to modern ears.
Common Mistakes
- Using “who” in every situation, even when the pronoun is the object of a verb or preposition.
- Avoiding “whom” completely, even in formal writing where it is expected.
- Assuming “whom” is always more “proper,” even in casual speech where “who” is standard.
Correct Usage
| Pronoun | Function | Example |
| Who | Subject | Who wrote this report? |
| Whom | Object of a verb | Whom did you hire? |
| Whom | Object of a preposition | The manager, to whom I reported, was kind. |
Formal vs. Informal Usage
In casual conversation, most native English speakers use “who” for almost everything, including situations where “whom” is technically correct. “Whom” survives mainly in formal writing, academic papers, legal documents, and set expressions like “to whom it may concern.”
Similar Words
Whoever, whomever, that, which (in some relative clause contexts).
Related Phrases
- To whom it may concern
- With whom
- For whom the bell tolls
- Some of whom
- Many of whom
- None of whom
Is It “Some of Whom” or “Some of Who”?
The correct phrase is always “some of whom.” “Some of who” is not standard English and should not be used in writing or formal speech.
This phrase typically appears in relative clauses that refer back to a group of people already mentioned in the sentence.
Example:
I met twenty students, some of whom had traveled from other countries.
Here, “some of whom” refers back to “twenty students” and adds extra information about part of that group.
Quick Tip
If you can mentally replace the phrase with “some of them,” and the sentence still makes sense, “whom” is the correct choice. This works because “whom” and “them” are both object pronouns.
Why “Some of Whom” Is Grammatically Correct
The key reason lies in the word “of.” In English, prepositions like “of,” “to,” “with,” “for,” and “by” are always followed by an object pronoun, never a subject pronoun.
Compare these:
- Correct: some of them
- Incorrect: some of they
Since “whom” is the object form of “who” (just as “them” is the object form of “they”), it must follow “of.”
- Correct: some of whom
- Incorrect: some of who
Grammar Breakdown
In the sentence:
The committee interviewed fifteen candidates, some of whom were rejected.
“Whom” is the object of the preposition “of.” The whole phrase “some of whom” acts as the subject of the clause “were rejected,” but that does not change the case of “whom” itself — the preposition “of” governs it, and prepositions always take the object case.
This is a rule with almost no exceptions in formal English, which is why grammar authorities and style guides consistently confirm “some of whom” as the only correct form.
Can “Some of Who” Ever Be Correct?
In short: no, not in standard written or formal spoken English. “Some of who” breaks the basic rule that prepositions require an object pronoun.
You may occasionally hear “some of who” in extremely casual speech, texting, or regional dialects, the same way people sometimes say “between you and I” instead of “between you and me.” These usages exist in real life, but they are not grammatically correct, and they should be avoided in:
- Essays and academic writing
- Business emails and reports
- Resumes and cover letters
- News articles and journalism
- Any formal or professional communication
Common Mistake Alert
Writers sometimes assume “whom” always sounds “too formal” and swap it for “who” out of habit. But after the word “of,” this substitution creates a clear grammar error, not just a stylistic choice.
The Simple He/Him Test to Choose Who or Whom
This is the single easiest trick for choosing between “who” and “whom,” and it works almost every time.
How the Test Works
- Take the clause containing “who/whom.”
- Rearrange it into a simple statement.
- Replace “who/whom” with “he” or “him.”
- If “he” fits, use who. If “him” fits, use whom.
Remember: him and whom both end in “m” — an easy way to link them in your memory.
Example 1
___ called the meeting? He called the meeting. → Who called the meeting?
Example 2
I don’t know ___ to trust. I trust him. → I don’t know whom to trust.
Applying the Test to “Some of Whom”
I invited ten guests, some of ___ arrived late. Rearranged: Some of them arrived late. (“them” = object form, matches “him”) → Some of whom arrived late.
This test works because English pronouns follow consistent patterns: he/who (subject), him/whom (object).
How Prepositions Affect the Choice of Who and Whom
Prepositions are words like of, to, with, for, by, about, from, and at. In English grammar, any pronoun that directly follows a preposition must be in the object case.
Grammar Rule
- he → him (object)
- she → her (object)
- they → them (object)
- who → whom (object)
So whenever “who” or “whom” comes right after a preposition, “whom” is required.
Examples
- The man to whom I spoke was very helpful.
- She is someone with whom I’ve worked for years.
- There were fifty applicants, many of whom had advanced degrees.
- We hired three interns, none of whom had prior experience.
Common Mistake
Writers often correctly use “whom” after short prepositions like “to” or “with,” but forget the same rule applies to “of” in phrases like “some of whom,” “many of whom,” and “several of whom.”
Some of Whom vs Some of Who (Comparison Table)
| Feature | Some of Whom | Some of Who |
| Grammatical status | Correct | Incorrect |
| Function | Object of preposition “of” | Attempts subject form after a preposition |
| Formal writing | Always acceptable | Never acceptable |
| Casual speech | Common and natural | Occasionally heard, but nonstandard |
| Style guide support | Confirmed by all major grammar authorities | Not supported |
| Sentence example | Ten guests came, some of whom stayed late. | ❌ Ten guests came, some of who stayed late. |
| Memory trick | “Whom” = “them” | “Who” = “they” (doesn’t fit after “of”) |
Real-Life Examples of “Some of Whom”
Academic Writing Examples
The study surveyed 300 participants, some of whom had prior exposure to the treatment.
The professor cited several researchers, some of whom disagreed with the original hypothesis.
Business & Professional Writing Examples
The company laid off 40 employees, some of whom had been with the firm for over a decade.
We received feedback from twelve clients, some of whom requested additional features.
Everyday English Examples
I have three cousins, some of whom live overseas.
She invited her old classmates, some of whom she hadn’t seen in years.
Common Mistakes People Make
Using “Who” Everywhere
Many speakers default to “who” in every context because it feels simpler and more natural in conversation. While this is common in casual speech, it becomes a noticeable error in formal writing, especially after prepositions like “of,” “to,” and “with.”
Avoiding “Whom” Completely
Some writers go too far in the opposite direction, cutting “whom” out of their vocabulary entirely. This can make writing sound less polished in academic, legal, or professional contexts where “whom” is expected.
Misunderstanding Relative Clauses
A relative clause adds extra information about a noun already mentioned. In phrases like “some of whom,” the clause refers back to a group of people. Writers sometimes misidentify who the pronoun refers to, leading to confusing or grammatically broken sentences.
Example of confusion:
❌ I met the manager’s team, some of who impressed me.
Corrected:
✅ I met the manager’s team, some of whom impressed me.
Easy Ways to Avoid Grammar Mistakes
Rewrite the Sentence Naturally
If “whom” feels awkward, try restructuring the sentence entirely.
Original: I have several friends, some of whom are teachers. Rewritten: Several of my friends are teachers.
Replace the Pronoun
Swap “whom” mentally with “them” to double-check your grammar before finalizing a sentence.
Some of them are teachers. ✅ (confirms “whom” is correct)
Split Long Sentences
Breaking a long sentence into two shorter ones can reduce grammar errors and improve readability.
Original: I met twenty employees, some of whom had worked there for over a decade and had witnessed the company’s growth firsthand. Split: I met twenty employees. Some of them had worked there for over a decade and had witnessed the company’s growth firsthand.
Some of Whom vs Some of Who (Sentence Examples)
| Correct (Some of Whom) | Incorrect (Some of Who) |
| The tourists, some of whom spoke English, asked for directions. | ❌ The tourists, some of who spoke English, asked for directions. |
| He manages a team of ten, some of whom work remotely. | ❌ He manages a team of ten, some of who work remotely. |
| The award went to five finalists, some of whom were first-time nominees. | ❌ The award went to five finalists, some of who were first-time nominees. |
Common Alternatives to “Some of Whom”
If “whom” still feels uncomfortable, English offers several natural alternatives that avoid the word entirely.
Several of Them
I met several colleagues at the conference. Several of them work in marketing.
Many of Them
The class had thirty students. Many of them were international.
A Few of Them
We toured five cities. A few of them were completely new to me.
These alternatives are especially useful in spoken English or informal writing where “whom” can sound stiff.
Quick Memory Tricks to Remember the Rule
- “M” for “M”: Him and whom both end in “m.” If “him” fits, use “whom.”
- Swap test: Replace the phrase with “some of them.” If it sounds right, “whom” is correct.
- Preposition rule: Any pronoun directly after “of,” “to,” “with,” or “for” needs the object form — whom, not who.
- Formal flag: If you’re writing something formal (essay, report, email to a client), default to checking for “whom” after prepositions.
Practice Quiz (With Answers)
Test yourself with these sentences. Choose “who” or “whom.”
- I met the new employees, some of ___ seemed nervous.
- ___ is responsible for this decision?
- The professor, ___ I admire greatly, is retiring this year.
- There were forty guests, several of ___ left early.
- ___ did you invite to the party?
Answers:
- Whom (some of them → object)
- Who (subject: he is responsible)
- Whom (object of implied preposition; I admire him)
- Whom (several of them)
- Whom (I invited him)
Quick Grammar Cheat Sheet
| Rule | Example |
| Use “who” as a subject | Who is calling? |
| Use “whom” as an object | Whom did you call? |
| Use “whom” after a preposition | With whom are you going? |
| Use “whom” after “some/many/several/none of” | Some of whom, many of whom, none of whom |
| Test with he/him | He = who; Him = whom |
Where You’ll See “Some of Whom” in Real Writing
Understanding the rule is one thing. Seeing it in action across different types of writing helps it stick.
In Journalism
News writing often introduces a group of people, then narrows the focus to a portion of that group. This is exactly where “some of whom” shines.
Firefighters rescued twelve residents from the building, some of whom required medical treatment.
In Literature
Novelists and essayists use “some of whom” to add texture to a scene without starting a brand-new sentence.
The old photograph showed six soldiers, some of whom never returned home.
In Legal and Formal Documents
Legal writing leans heavily on precise pronoun usage, and “whom” appears frequently after prepositions.
The plaintiff called four witnesses, some of whom testified under oath.
In Everyday Storytelling
Even in relaxed, conversational storytelling, “some of whom” adds clarity when referring back to a group.
We threw a big family reunion last summer, and over sixty relatives showed up, some of whom I had never even met before.
Synonyms, Opposites, and Related Grammar Terms
Building a strong vocabulary around this topic makes the rule easier to remember long-term.
Synonyms for “Some of Whom”
- Several whom
- Several of whom
- A portion of whom
- Certain individuals among whom
Opposite Concepts
- All of whom — refers to the entire group, not just a part of it.
- None of whom — refers to zero members of the group.
Example:
She interviewed ten candidates, all of whom were qualified, but none of whom accepted the offer.
Related Grammar Terms
- Relative pronoun — a pronoun (who, whom, which, that) that introduces a clause giving more information about a noun.
- Non-restrictive clause — a clause set off by commas that adds extra, non-essential information, which is exactly how “some of whom” clauses usually function.
- Object of preposition — the noun or pronoun that follows a preposition and receives its action.
- Case (grammatical case) — the form a pronoun takes based on its role in a sentence (subject, object, or possessive).
Collocations and Common Word Partners
Certain words consistently pair with “whom” in this pattern. Recognizing these collocations will make your writing sound more natural and native-like.
| Collocation | Example |
| Some of whom | The team hired five analysts, some of whom were recent graduates. |
| Many of whom | The charity helped 200 families, many of whom had lost their homes. |
| Several of whom | He manages twelve writers, several of whom are award-winning. |
| A few of whom | The band toured with ten crew members, a few of whom had worked with them for years. |
| None of whom | She reviewed thirty applications, none of whom met the requirements. |
| All of whom | The panel included five judges, all of whom agreed on the winner. |
Expert Insight: Why This Rule Persists in Modern English
Grammar naturally evolves, and many older rules have relaxed over time. Yet the who/whom distinction after prepositions has remained remarkably stable in formal English. Professional editors, publishers, and style guides continue to flag “some of who” as an error because the underlying grammar logic — prepositions require object pronouns — applies consistently across the entire pronoun system, not just to “who” and “whom.”
This is different from rules that are more about tradition than logic. The who/whom rule mirrors patterns you already use correctly every day with “he/him,” “she/her,” and “they/them.” Once you see “whom” as simply the “them” of the who-family, the rule stops feeling like an arbitrary exception and starts feeling like common sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “Some of Who” ever correct?
No. “Some of who” is not correct in standard English. Because “of” is a preposition, it must be followed by an object pronoun, and “whom” is the object form of “who.” “Some of whom” is the only grammatically accepted version in formal and informal writing alike, even though “some of who” occasionally appears in very casual speech.
Why is “Some of Whom” considered correct?
“Some of whom” is correct because “whom” functions as the object of the preposition “of.” English requires object pronouns after prepositions, just as it does with “him,” “her,” and “them.” This rule has remained consistent across formal grammar guides for centuries, which is why “some of whom” is the standard, accepted phrase.
Do native English speakers still use “Whom”?
Yes, though mostly in formal contexts. In everyday conversation, many native speakers replace “whom” with “who,” even when “whom” is technically correct. However, “whom” remains standard in academic writing, journalism, business communication, and phrases like “some of whom” or “to whom it may concern.”
Can I replace “Whom” with “Who”?
In casual speech, yes — many people do this without much objection. But in formal writing, replacing “whom” with “who” after a preposition like “of” is considered a grammar mistake. For polished, professional, or academic writing, stick with the grammatically correct “whom.”
What is the easiest way to remember the rule?
Use the him/whom trick: both words end in “m.” If you can rewrite the sentence using “him” naturally, “whom” is correct. Also try replacing the phrase with “some of them” — if that sounds right, “some of whom” is the correct choice for your sentence.
What does “some of whom” mean?
It means that a portion of a previously mentioned group of people did or experienced something. For example, “I met ten guests, some of whom were teachers,” means that part of that group of ten guests were teachers.
Is “whom” outdated or old-fashioned?
Not outdated, but less common in casual speech. “Whom” is still fully correct and expected in formal writing, though its use has declined in everyday conversation, where “who” often takes its place informally.
Can “some of whom” start a new sentence?
No. “Some of whom” is a relative clause fragment and must be attached to a sentence that introduces the group it refers to. It cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
What’s the difference between “some of whom” and “some of which”?
“Some of whom” refers to people, while “some of which” refers to things, animals, or abstract items. For example: “I read five books, some of which were fiction,” versus “I met five authors, some of whom wrote fiction.”
Is it grammatically wrong to avoid “whom” entirely?
It isn’t wrong in casual speech, but avoiding “whom” entirely in formal writing can make your writing sound less precise. Learning when to use it — especially after prepositions like “of” — strengthens your overall writing skill.
Final Verdict
The correct phrase is always “some of whom,” never “some of who.” This comes down to one reliable grammar rule: prepositions like “of” require an object pronoun, and “whom” is the object form of “who,” just as “him” is the object form of “he.” Whenever you’re unsure, use the simple he/him test or swap the phrase with “some of them” to check your sentence.
While “whom” has become less common in casual conversation, it remains essential in formal writing, academic papers, and professional communication. Mastering this small but important rule will make your writing sound more precise, polished, and confident.
