Knowing the difference between “who” and “whom” is something that even native speakers get wrong now and then. We’ll look at whether we use “some of whom” or “some of who” in this article and see what grammar rules we can apply to them.
Is It “Some Of Whom” Or “Some Of Who”?
The correct spelling is “some of whom” in every situation, and “some of who” is incorrect. We must use the objective form “whom” when writing “some of” before it because we need to follow the phrase with an object. “Who” is subjective, which isn’t the correct form we need to use here.
What Is The Grammatical Rule That Makes “Some Of Whom” Correct?
Whenever we quantify any number of objects in a sentence, we can use words like “some,” “many,” or “most.” However. we’ve just answered the question by writing about “objects.”
When using words like “some,” we need an object to quantify. That means we need to know that the referenced objects are in a group, and that group is broken down into parts. “Whom” is an objective word, which we use in place of object pronouns like “him” or “them.” Without an object after “some,” we don’t know what we’re modifying in the sentence.
It’s for that reason above that we can’t use “who” at any point when writing “some of.” We need to quantify the object in the sentence, and if we use “who,” we’re quantifying subjects (which is impossible). It might sound a little confusing at first glance, so we’ll work out a tip for you to help you.
You might also like: 20 Mistakes People Often Make When Using “Who” Or “Whom”
Tip To Remember If The Correct Spelling Is “Some Of Whom” Or “Some Of Who”
So, what’s the best way to help you remember the difference between the two? Well, we find it’s easiest to replace “whom” with the object pronouns “him,” “her,” or “them” (based on the context of your sentence). You can do the same with “who” by replacing it with subject pronouns like “he,” “she,” or “they.”
Let’s see what we mean:
- Some of him / some of he
Okay, so even if we’re not strictly talking about “some of” one man (using “him”), we can still see how “him” works well here. However, using “some of he” doesn’t make any sense because we can’t use the subjective form in this way.
That’s why you should replace “whom” and “who” in this way. After a while, you’ll get used to the differences and apply them to even more sentence structures in English without any problems!
8 Examples Of How To Use “Some Of Whom”
We believe that examples are some of the most valuable ways to pick up on language rules. While we can tell you all you need to know about this rule or that rule, it’s easier to see them written down, so you know what to expect. We’ll include correct and incorrect forms, with both “whom” and “who.” We’ll mark them for you, too, but try and work out which one is which before looking!
- Correct:Thirty men were at the party, some of whom had too much to drink.
- Incorrect:Thousands of soldiers fight for their country, some of who don’t make it home.
- Correct:All the students in this school work hard, some of whom are even going to the top university.
- Incorrect:I hate the kids in my class, some of who are stupid.
- Correct:Sixteen people applied, some of whom have previous experience.
- Incorrect:All of my workers make me proud, some of who are waiting on a promotion.
- Correct:One hundred people were admitted to the hospital last night, some of whom are in critical condition.
- Incorrect:All politicians are crooked, some of who even expect handouts from the poor.
What Does “Some Of Whom” Mean?
Now that we’ve seen the examples in action, it’s time to explain what “some of whom” means. It’s used as a way to quantify objects in a sentence. Because we’re using “whom,” we’re almost always talking about people.
The word “who” or “whom” always asks which person you mean to talk about. When we include “some of” before it, we’re talking about a specific number of people in a group. The group is often given a number, and “some of whom” could range from a small percentage to a large amount. It doesn’t have to be specific.
Is It Ever Correct To Use “Some Of Them”?
There are some situations where “some of whom” isn’t necessary. However, some people believe that “some of them” is interchangeable with the phrase, and you can use either one whenever you want. This is not the case. Let’s see two sentences where we use different phrases.
- Thirty people filled in the survey, some of whom live in the city.
- Thirty people filled in the survey, and some of them live in the city.
We have to include “and” before using “some of them” because it becomes a statement in this manner. “Some of them” isn’t an adjective phrase like “some of whom,” so we need to use “and” to show that there’s a link between the two clauses.
Is It Ever Correct To Use “Some Of Those”?
You can also use “some of those,” just like how we use “some of them.” The difference mainly comes down to the group you’re referring to. “Those” is the plural version of “them,” so you’ll need to refer to a plural of the group already established. This is where things get confusing, so most people just use “some of them” if they want to use either of the two words.
Is It Ever Correct To Use “Some Of Which”?
If you’re not talking about people, “some of which” is a great alternative. When you’re talking about a group of objects that aren’t alive (or animals too), you can use “some of which” in much the same way as “some of whom.”
- Thirty hammers are in my shed, some of which have been there for decades.
- All my houses are modernized, some of which took longer than others to update.
You may also like:
“From Who” or “From Whom”? Correct Version (With Examples)
“With Who” or “With Whom”? Correct Version (With Examples)
“All of Who” or “All of Whom”? Correct Version (With Examples)
Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.