Some Of Whom Or Some Of Who? (With Examples)

Many learners struggle with “some of whom” and “some of who” because grammar rules can be confusing. The confusion often arises from syntax, semantics, and how each form fits into a sentence. If you’re ever unsure, just remember this rule: “whom” refers to the object, while “who” refers to the subject. This article, “Some Of Whom Or Some Of Who”, clears up that confusion, helping you understand these phrases with clarity and ease.

Understanding relative clauses is key. When a person is the object of a verb or preposition in a clause, you use “whom.” When they’re the subject, use “who.” This rule helps clear up the meaning in sentences. Think of grammar as a dark forest– tricky and full of surprises. But with guidance and examples, you’ll find your way. Use this lesson like a flashlight, offering clear explanations so you can rethink your choices and improve your writing confidence.

Introduction – Why This Common Confusion Matters

Picture this: you’re writing a cover letter, quoting a report, or crafting a social media post. You pause at “some of who” and wonder if it sounds right. Trust me- it doesn’t.

Here’s why it matters:

• Credibility: Getting pronouns right boosts your authority.
• Clarity: Readers zoom past awkward phrasing.
• Style: Polished writing demands attention to detail.

By the time you finish this post, you’ll understand:

• Why “some of whom” is almost always correct.
• Easy tricks to get it right on the fly.
• How native speakers sometimes break the rules- and why they shouldn’t.

Understanding “Who” vs. “Whom” – The Essentials

Who is the subject?

It refers to the “doer” in a sentence.

• Who wrote the report?
• Who is coming to dinner?

Whom is the object?

It receives the action or follows a preposition.

• To whom did you send the email?
• He is the person whom I admire most.

Think: if you could replace it with “he,” “she,” “they,” use who. If “him,” “her,” “them” fits, go with whom.

The Grammar Rule: Why “Some of Whom” Is Correct

“Some of whom” appears when you describe a subset of people already mentioned.

Example:
“I interviewed eight candidates, some of whom lacked experience.”

Here’s why:

1. “Of” is a preposition.
2. “Whom” functions as its object.
3. The clause modifies “eight candidates.”

In contrast, “some of who” treats “who” as a subject, which doesn’t fit after “of.” That’s why it sounds jarring.

Breaking Down the Phrase: “Some of Whom” in Action

Let’s parse it:

1. Base: I invited guests.
2. Add detail: Some of those guests are experts.
3. Combine: I guests, some of whom are experts.

• “Some” = subset
• “Of” = preposition
• “Whom” = object pronoun referring to guests

This structure keeps your writing tight, precise, and grammatically sound.

Quick Tests: How to Decide Between “Who” and “Whom”

Use these tricks to steer clear of errors:

1. Replacement Test
   • Substitute “who” with “he”/“she/they.”
   • Substitute “whom” with “him”/“her/them.”
2. Preposition Check
   If the pronoun follows words like of, to, with, for, chances are you need whom.
3. Formal vs. Informal
   In casual speech, “who” often replaces “whom,” but that doesn’t make it correct in writing.

Practice Sentences:

Sentence	Replacement	Correct
Several speakers, some of who were professors, spoke.	…some of them…	whom
Guests, some of whom arrived late, missed the intro.	…some of them…	whom
People who I met were welcoming.	…they I met…	who
People whom I met were welcoming.	…them I met…	whom

Real-Life Examples: Correct and Incorrect Usage

Consider these real-world snippets:

• ✅ “They interviewed ten artists, some of whom were painters.”
• ❌ “They interviewed ten artists, some of who were painters.”
• ✅ “I read posts from several users, some of whom offered advice.”
• ❌ “I read posts from several users, some of who offered advice.”

These aren’t hypothetical- they mirror common mistakes found in news articles and blog posts. Get it right, and your prose shines.

The Role of Prepositions: Why They Matter

Prepositions like of, to, and with typically take an object, so you use whom.

Common prepositions → Use “whom”:

• of → “some of whom”
• to → “to whom it may concern”
• with → “with whom we spoke”
• by → “by whom this was done”

Here’s a quick how-to rule:

If a pronoun follows a preposition, check if it’s the object. If yes, use whom.

Mini Table:

Preposition	Correct Use Example
of	We named 12 winners, some of whom responded.
to	He didn’t know to whom he should talk.
with	Friends with whom I travel are fun.
by	The committee by whom votes are cast is fair.

Spot the link? Prepositions demand whom when referring to people.

Common Mistakes People Make (And Why)

1. Avoiding Whom Entirely
   • Mistake: “That was someone who…”
   • Better: “someone whom I met last week.”
2. Over-correcting with “Whom”
   • Mistake: Formal elevation of informal text.
   • Better: Let “who” stand when it’s a subject.
3. Mismatch in Clauses
   • Mistake: “…a group of people who…”
   • Better: Make sure “who” is the clause’s subject.
4. Casual Speech Leaks Into Writing
   • Mistake: “That’s the guy who I told you about.”
   • Better: “That’s the guy whom I told you about.”

When to Use “Some of Who” (Rare and Conditional Cases)

Yes- rare exceptions exist:

Example:
“Some of who she is today stems from her resilience in childhood.”

How? Here, “some of who she is today” functions as a noun clause– and who acts as the subject of that clause. That’s why you don’t see a prepositional trigger.

But: These cases are few. Most of the time, you’ll need whom after “of.”

Similar Constructions You Should Know

• Some of which → Use for things, not people
  “He bought ten books, some of which were rare first editions.”
• Some of them → A neutral, catch-all pronoun
  “We tried ten recipes; some of them failed miserably.”
• Some of that/those → Works for things too
  • “They sold ten cars; some of those were hybrids.”
  • “She made soup- some of that was too salty.”

Grammar Deep Dive: Object of a Preposition in Complex Sentences

When sentences get tangled, here’s how to stay cool:

1. Locate the main clause.
2. Identify the prepositional phrase.
3. Check the pronoun’s role– subject or object?

Example:
“The committee, some of whom were veterans, approved the plan.”

• Main clause: “The committee approved the plan.”
• Pronoun part: “some of whom were veterans” modifies “committee.”
• “Of whom” modifies a noun after a preposition- so whom fits.

Diagram spotlight:

text

CopyEdit

+——————————-+

| The committee                 |

| └─ some of whom were veterans |

└─ approved the plan           ┘

Comparing Alternatives: Which Sounds Right and Why

Let’s examine your options:

1. Of whom → Formal, precise
   “They hired doctors, some of whom specialize in pediatrics.”
2. Who/That → Subject usage
   “They hired doctors who specialize in pediatrics.”
3. Them → More casual, less precise
   “They hired doctors- some of them specialize in pediatrics.”

Choose based on:

• Formality (formal → of whom)
• Clarity (who/that is clearer in some sentences)
• Precision (whom adds precision in complex clauses)

Expert Tip: How Native Speakers Navigate This Without Thinking

In casual talk:

“That’s the team who I told ya about.”

In formal writing:

“The committee, some of whom voted no, released the report.”

Pro tip: If you hear “whom,” you’ll automatically know it’s the object. Writers can replicate that unconscious precision- just follow the rules.

Bonus Grammar Checks (Related Reader Questions)

Do I need quotation marks when I quote myself?

Yes. Use “double quotation marks” around your own words when you quote directly.
Example: She said, “I can’t believe I got that done.”

Is “revenues” correct in plural?

Yes- it refers to multiple income streams.
Example: The company’s revenues grew by 12% in Q2.

Should you write “make a long story short” formally?

Yes, but better:

• Formal: “To summarize,” or “In short…”
• Informal: “Let me make a long story short.”

What are defining vs. non‑defining clauses?

• Defining clauses → Essential (no commas)
  “The people who win will get tickets.”
• Non‑defining clauses → Extra info (with commas)
  “The winners, who were all students, received scholarships.”

Punctuation with “especially”

• No comma when it modifies a phrase.
  _“I love fruit, especially mangoes.”
• Use commas for emphasis/suggestion.
  “I love fruit, especially mangoes.”

Summary Table: When to Use “Who” vs. “Whom”

Situation	Use “Who”	Use “Whom”
Subject of a clause	✅	❌
Object of a verb	❌	✅
Follows a preposition (of, to, with, by, for)	❌	✅
Inside the defining clause (essential info)	✅	❌
Inside non-defining clause (extra detail)	✅	✅ when object
Formal writing	✅	✅
Informal speech	✅ common	⚠️ rare

Mastering This Once and For All

Remember:

• Whom isn’t extinct- it just lives in object positions.
• Use the replacement test (“him,” “them”)- it works like a charm.
• Don’t let casual speech sneak into formal writing.

Mastering “some of whom” helps you write with confidence, clarity, and credibility.

“Some of Whom” vs. “Some of Who”

Is it wrong to say “some of who”?
Yes- most of the time. Only in rare noun clauses does it work correctly.

Why do people avoid “whom”?
Because it sounds formal or old-school. But in writing, it still matters.

Can I swap “some of whom” with “some of them”?
Yes, if it keeps clarity. But often “whom” gives better precision.

Is “whom” going extinct?
Not in formal writing- it’s still standard. In speech, you might not hear it as much.

Still unsure?
Use the he/him or they/them test- it rarely fails.

Final Thoughts

Getting “some of whom” right might seem like a small win, but it speaks volumes about your grasp of English grammar. When you understand how “whom” functions as the object of a preposition– especially in phrases like “some of whom”– you write with greater precision, authority, and clarity.

The good news? You don’t need to memorize a bunch of complex rules. Just:

• Use the he/him or they/them test.
• Spot prepositions like of, to, or with– they usually call for whom.
• Listen for flow. If “some of who” sounds awkward, it probably is.

Whether you’re writing professional content, academic work, or just leveling up your grammar game, this simple fix can make a big difference. Nail this rule, and you’ll instantly elevate the polish and credibility of your writing.

FAQs

Is “some of who” ever grammatically correct?

Yes, but rarely. It only works when “some of who” functions as a noun clause– for example: “Some of who she is today comes from her past.” Even then, it’s clearer to rephrase.

Can I just say “some of them” instead?

You can- but beware of ambiguity. “Some of them” is more casual and less precise. If you’re writing formally or need to specify people, “some of whom” is the better choice.

How do I know if “whom” is correct?

Use the substitution trick:

• Try replacing the phrase with them. If it fits, use whom.
• Example: “Some of whom I spoke with…” → “I spoke with them.”

Why does “whom” sound so formal?

Because it’s falling out of common speech, but it’s still correct and expected in professional, academic, and formal writing. Think of it as a mark of grammar expertise.

Is it okay to avoid “whom” altogether?

In casual conversations, sure. But in written English, especially in formal or business contexts, using “whom” properly shows attention to detail and strengthens your credibility.