Clarifying the Use of 'Who' vs 'Whom' in English Questions

The English language, with its rich history and diverse draws, often presents subtle nuances that can trip up even fluent speakers. Among these are the correct uses of who and whom. A common confusion revolves around whether to use whom or who when asking about the person one is looking at or with whom one is interacting. This guide aims to clarify these differences, making it easier for English speakers to use these pronouns correctly.

Understanding the Basics

In English grammar, who is used as the subject of a verb, while whom is used as the object of a verb or preposition.
For instance:

Who is coming to the party today? (Who is the subject of the verb is coming) I saw whom she was talking to. (Who is the subject of the verb was talking, whom is the object of the preposition to)

The phrase Whom are you looking at is grammatically correct because whom is the object of the preposition at. However, in casual speech, who is more commonly used.

Formal vs. Informal Usage

Formally, the correct phrase is:

Whom are you looking at

In more informal or conversational contexts:

Who are you looking at is more widely used. In a similar vein, What are you looking at is used when the focus is on the object being looked at, rather than the person.

Placement of Prepositions

When the preposition is closely placed to the pronoun, only whom should be used:

At/for whom are you looking

Technically, this would be the more formal construction, but it sounds too stilted and formal in everyday speech.

In cases where the preposition is at the end of the sentence (and the pronoun precedes it), who or whom can be used:

Who are you looking at?
Whom are you looking for?

Never:

For who are you looking?

In highly formal contexts, or when emphasizing the object of the preposition, whom may be preferred:

Whom did she go out with?

Summary

The choice between who and whom depends on whether the pronoun is the subject or object of a verb or preposition. In more casual speech, who is widely accepted, while in formal or highly structured language, whom is more appropriate. Understanding these nuances not only enhances one's ability to communicate effectively but also demonstrates a deeper knowledge of English grammar.