When learning English, many learners struggle with grammar, especially in situations with relative clauses, making Some Of Whom Or Some Of Who a common source of confusion in sentence structure. From my experience, the problem often comes from weak understanding of subject and object roles, while some of whom is commonly correct for a group of people as the object of a verb or preposition, and some of who is usually incorrect, ignoring basic grammar rules for object pronouns and proper use of relative pronouns like who and whom. Speakers often refer back to people mentioned earlier, so improving writing clarity and spoken English is essential.
To improve overall sentence examples and structure, I guide learners with practical methods, explain the correct form, and help avoid common grammar mistakes. By encouraging them to confidently use some of whom correctly, paying attention to expressions, sound, and grammatically correct sentences, they can improve fluency and communication skills. Whether in formal or informal usage, understanding verbs, prepositions, object pronouns, and object roles ensures sentences are clear, precise, and natural, helping learners use some of whom correctly while improving overall grammar.
Understanding “Who” vs. “Whom”
At its core, the confusion comes from misunderstanding the difference between who and whom.
- Who is a subjective pronoun, meaning it is the subject of a clause.
- Whom is an objective pronoun, meaning it is the object of a verb or preposition.
| Pronoun | Function | Example |
| Who | Subject | Who is leading the project? |
| Whom | Object | To whom should I send the report? |
In professional writing, using whom correctly shows precision and adherence to formal grammar. Misusing it can make a sentence grammatically incorrect, even if it sounds acceptable in casual speech.
When to Use “Who”
Use who when the pronoun functions as the subject of a clause or sentence. Think of it as the person performing the action.
Examples:
- Who will present the research findings tomorrow?
- The teacher, who assigned the homework, expects everyone to submit on time.
Tip: If you can replace the word with he/she/they and the sentence still makes sense, use “who.”
When to Use “Whom”
Use whom when the pronoun functions as the object of a verb or preposition. This is the person receiving the action.
Examples:
- The student whom the professor praised was thrilled.
- With whom are you collaborating on the project?
Table of Common Prepositions That Require “Whom”
| Preposition | Example |
| To | To whom it may concern |
| With | The colleagues with whom I spoke |
| For | The clients for whom we prepared reports |
| By | The researcher by whom the study was conducted |
| About | Questions about whom we should interview |
This table is a quick reference for students and professionals working on academic papers or formal communications.
Simple Tricks to Always Get It Right
Here are practical strategies to never misuse who and whom:
- Substitution Trick – Replace the pronoun with he/she or him/her:
- Sentence: “Some of ___ we invited were experts.”
- Replace: “Some of them we invited…” → whom is correct.
- Preposition Clue – If the pronoun follows a preposition, it is usually whom:
- Example: “To whom should I address this email?”
- Formal Writing Rule – In professional documents, whom is preferred for object pronouns in complex sentences.
Breaking Down the Phrase: “Some of Whom”
The phrase “some of whom” is grammatically correct because whom functions as the object in the relative clause.
Example:
- “I met several colleagues, some of whom had published papers on artificial intelligence.”
Why “some of who” is incorrect:
- “Who” acts as a subject, but in this sentence, the clause requires an object pronoun. Using who here breaks the grammatical rule.
Grammar Rules Behind “Some of Whom”
Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure correctness:
- Identify the Clause: Look at the part of the sentence containing the relative pronoun.
- Determine Pronoun Role: Decide whether it performs the action (subject) or receives the action (object).
- Apply Rule: Use who for subjects, whom for objects.
Case Study Example:
- Incorrect: “She invited students, some of who had failed the exam.”
- Correct: “She invited students, some of whom had failed the exam.”
Notice how proper usage clarifies meaning and reads smoothly.
Quantifying Objects in Sentences
When quantifying nouns, the pronoun choice matters. Common quantifiers include: some of, all of, many of, most of.
Examples Table:
| Quantifier | People | Things |
| Some of | Some of whom I spoke | Some of which were broken |
| All of | All of whom attended | All of which were verified |
| Many of | Many of whom volunteered | Many of which are outdated |
| Most of | Most of whom submitted reports | Most of which were approved |
Using these correctly ensures sentences are precise, especially in essays and reports.
Role of Prepositions in Choosing “Whom”
Prepositions often dictate the choice between who and whom.
Examples:
- “The researchers, with whom I collaborated, published a joint paper.”
- “The professor to whom the students submitted their proposals is very strict.”:
Remember: If the pronoun comes after a preposition, it is almost always whom.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
Many writers confuse who and whom, especially in casual writing.
Examples of Misuse:
- Wrong: “Some of who attended the seminar were experts.”
- Correct: “Some of whom attended the seminar were experts.”
Why mistakes happen:
- People often ignore prepositions.
- Colloquial English encourages dropping whom altogether.
Quick Fix: Always check if the pronoun is an object in a clause.
Practical Examples in Context
Academic Writing
- “The students, some of whom had prior research experience, completed the project efficiently.”
Professional Writing
- “The clients, some of whom were international, requested detailed reports.”
Everyday Writing
- “I spoke to several people, some of whom shared fascinating stories about their careers.”
Notice how using some of whom elevates the clarity and professionalism of each sentence.
Alternative Phrases and Their Correct Usage
Sometimes, you might need alternatives for variety or style:
| Phrase | Correct Usage | Notes |
| Some of them | “I met several colleagues, some of them had published research.” | Informal, less precise |
| Some of which | “I reviewed the documents, some of which were incomplete.” | Used for objects, not people |
| Many of whom | “The volunteers, many of whom were experts, led the sessions.” | Formal and professional |
Tip: Avoid some of who entirely; it is rarely correct in formal contexts.
Advanced Considerations for Grammar Enthusiasts
- Complex Sentences: Multiple clauses often require careful identification of subject/object roles.
- Stylistic Choice vs. Grammar: In casual writing, some drop whom, but in formal writing, using it correctly demonstrates mastery.
- Professional Edge: Using whom appropriately can enhance the perception of authority and precision in reports, academic papers, and emails.
Example of Advanced Sentence:
- “The board members, some of whom had experience in international finance, reviewed the quarterly report meticulously.”
Notice how every clause is correctly structured, and meaning is crystal clear.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between some of whom and some of who is essential for clear English grammar and sentence structure. Using some of whom correctly improves writing clarity, spoken English, and overall communication skills.
By mastering relative pronouns, object roles, and proper use, learners can confidently avoid common grammar mistakes and express themselves naturally in both formal and informal usage.
FAQs
Q1: When should I use “some of whom”?
Use some of whom when referring to a group of people as the object of a verb or preposition in a sentence.
Q2: Is “some of who” ever correct?
No, some of who is usually incorrect because it ignores basic grammar rules for object pronouns.
Q3: How can I improve my use of relative pronouns?
Focus on relative clauses, object roles, and practical sentence examples to improve overall grammar and writing clarity.
Q4: Does this apply to spoken English too?
Yes, using some of whom correctly helps spoken English, making your expressions and communication skills clearer and more precise.
Q5: Can beginners master this quickly?
With consistent practice, guidance, and attention to sentence structure, learners can confidently use some of whom correctly in everyday English.
Isabella Marie is a skilled writer and English language expert who makes grammar learning simple, fun, and accessible for everyone. Through Grammar Schooling, she shares practical tips and clear explanations that help readers communicate with confidence. Her goal is to inspire learners to love the art of language and express themselves with clarity.