What is the rule on when to use 'who' and when to use 'whom'?

Question

What is the rule on when to use 'who' and when to use 'whom'?

Answer 1

If it's the subject of the sentence or phrase, then it's who:  Who is taking you to the dance.  ("Who" is the subject of the verb "is taking")

If it's the object of the phrase, then it's whom: Whom are you taking to the dance. (Whom is the object of the verb "taking," "you" is the subject)  

Answer 2

Forget the grammar rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The easiest way to ALWAYS arrive at the correct usage of ‘who’ and ‘whom’ is to temporarily substitute the pronouns 'he' for 'who' and 'him' for 'whom', then use the word that sounds better.  If you are female, you could also substitute the pronouns ‘she’ for ‘who’ and ‘her’ for ‘whom.’

EXAMPLE 1:

Which of the following sentences is correct?

John, who is our leading scorer, is also the captain of our team.

or

John, whom is our leading scorer, is also the captain of our team.

To easily find out, temporarily substitute the pronouns 'he' for 'who' and 'him' for 'whom.'

“………..he (who) is our leading scorer, ……………”

“………..him (whom) is our leading scorer, ……………”

Which word sounds better, ‘he’ or ‘him’ in this clause?

‘He’ sounds better so the original sentence would be correct with ‘who:’

John, who is our leading scorer, is also the captain of our team.

EXAMPLE 2:

Note that sometimes the sentence or clause must be transposed as in done in the following example.

Which of the following sentences is correct?

Who do you trust?

or

Whom do you trust?

To easily find out, temporarily substitute the pronouns 'he' for 'who' and 'him' for 'whom' and transpose the sentence.

Do you trust he (who)?

Do you trust him (whom)?

Which word sounds better, ‘he’ or ‘him’ in the transposed sentence?

‘Him’ sounds better so the original sentence would be correct with ‘whom:’

Whom do you trust?  (but the majority of people incorrectly use the word ‘who’ in this particular sentence.)

If you wish to double-check this shortcut, just look at your local newspaper or any magazine. Any time you see the word ‘who’ substitute the word ‘he’ and any time you see the word ‘whom,’ substitute the word ‘him,’ remembering that, in some instances, you must transpose the clause or sentence.  It will check out unless the editor missed the error.

Sometimes grammar is best left to the ‘ears’ instead of trying to remember obscure rules. This method will become second nature in short order and you will never mistake the two words again. IT WILL BE LIKE TAKING CANDY FROM A BABY! I guarantee it!