When you’re writing, it’s easy to get paused mid-sentence, unsure whether to use some of whom or some of who. Understanding Some of Whom vs Some of Who: The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need to Get It Right is crucial, as this subtle distinction in English usage can impact the clarity and professionalism of your emails, business communications, or online broadcasting. Even experienced writers encounter moments where the tiny shift between the two phrases can shake their confidence, prompting them to pause, flag, and rewrite to ensure the correct form, style, and grammar. Mastering this point ensures clarity, consistency, and a polished impression, especially when managing project schedules, coordinating meetings, or booking time in your calendar.
From my personal experience, using some of whom correctly demonstrates that you understand the core grammar rule and supports strong writing skills. Many students, professionals, and even native English speakers hesitate or guess, but once you break down the differences and follow style guides, it becomes second nature. You should also consider regional preferences, whether you’re in the US or UK, and adjust your phrases to fit the context—from casual notes and reports to well-crafted articles and written communications. This approach guarantees that your writing remains professional and approachable in any scenario.
The key is to learn the truth behind some of whom and some of who, understand how one form works while the other fails, and make sure you never doubt yourself again. By internalizing this knowledge, you’ll know exactly when to apply each phrase, follow proper grammar, and polish your writing to reflect professionalism. With practice, this becomes effortless, allowing you to confidently use these phrases across emails, communications, articles, and projects without second-guessing yourself, while maintaining both clarity and authority in your writing.
The Real Problem Behind the “Some of Whom vs Some of Who” Confusion
At first glance, both phrases sound natural. In casual speech, most people say “who” almost everywhere. “Whom” feels formal. Sometimes stiff. Almost antique.
That shift in everyday language creates the confusion.
Modern English favors simplicity. In conversation, people rarely say:
“The employees, some of whom were late…”
They often say:
“The employees, some of who were late…”
It rolls off the tongue more easily.
However, spoken comfort doesn’t rewrite grammar structure.
Here’s what’s really happening:
- Spoken English weakens grammatical case.
- Written English still preserves it.
- Many writers rely on sound instead of structure.
- Structure always wins in formal writing.
The tension between how English sounds and how it works creates the mistake.
Understanding structure removes that tension instantly.
The Only Rule That Actually Matters
Forget every complicated explanation you’ve heard.
The distinction between who and whom depends on one thing only:
- Who = subject
- Whom = object
That’s it.
If the pronoun performs the action, use who.
If the pronoun receives the action or follows a preposition, use whom.
Simple in theory. Powerful in practice.
Let’s make that concrete.
Subject vs Object in Plain English
Look at these examples:
- Who called you?
- You called whom?
In the first sentence, who performs the action of calling.
In the second sentence, whom receives the action.
Now apply that to the phrase in question.
The moment you see “of”, you’re dealing with a preposition.
And prepositions require objects.
That fact alone solves most of the confusion.
Why “Some of Who” Feels Natural But Breaks the Rule
Language evolves toward ease. “Whom” feels heavier than “who.” So people default to “who.”
That shift has grown stronger over decades.
In casual speech:
- “Who” dominates.
- “Whom” almost disappears.
In formal writing:
- The case still matters.
- Editors enforce it.
- Professional credibility depends on it.
Your ear prefers simplicity. Your grammar requires structure.
That mismatch creates the illusion that “some of who” works.
But structurally, it fails because “who” is a subject pronoun. After a preposition, you need an object pronoun.
And “of” is always a preposition.
Why “Some of Whom” Is Grammatically Correct
Let’s dissect the phrase slowly.
“Some of whom.”
Break it into pieces:
- Some = quantifier
- Of = preposition
- Whom = object pronoun
Prepositions require objects. Always.
Think about other examples:
- some of them
- many of us
- several of him (incorrect)
You wouldn’t say “many of them.”
You wouldn’t say “some of them.”
You say:
- many of them
- some of us
- several of him (only if forced grammatically and rare)
The pattern stays consistent.
Now apply that same logic to people.
You say:
- some of them
When referring to a group of people with a relative clause, “them” becomes “whom.”
That’s why “some of whom” works.
It follows the same object pattern.
Sentence Dissection: See the Structure Clearly
Consider this sentence:
The candidates, some of whom had years of experience, impressed the panel.
Break it apart.
Main clause:
- The candidates impressed the panel.
Embedded relative clause:
- some of whom had years of experience
Inside that clause:
- “of” functions as a preposition.
- “whom” serves as its object.
- “had” connects to the relative pronoun.
If you replace “whom” with “who,” the object relationship collapses.
The structure demands an object pronoun. “Who” cannot fill that role.
Restrictive vs Nonrestrictive Clauses
Most uses of “some of whom” appear inside nonrestrictive clauses.
These clauses:
- Add extra information.
- Use commas.
- Do not change the core meaning if removed.
Example:
The investors, some of whom withdrew early, faced losses.
Remove the clause:
The investors faced losses.
The sentence still works.
Now compare that to a restrictive structure:
Some who invested early faced losses.
Notice the difference.
“Some who” introduces a subject group.
“Some of whom” refers back to an already identified group.
That distinction matters deeply.
The Preposition Rule That Solves 90 Percent of Confusion
Here’s the shortcut.
If you see a preposition before the pronoun, use whom.
Common patterns include:
- many of whom
- several of whom
- a few of whom
- none of whom
- most of whom
- two of whom
Every one of those requires “whom.”
Why?
Because “of” demands an object.
You would never say:
- many of who
- several of who
- most of who
It breaks grammatical case.
Table: Quantifier + Of + Object Pattern
| Quantifier | Preposition | Required Pronoun | Correct Form |
| some | of | object | some of whom |
| many | of | object | many of whom |
| several | of | object | several of whom |
| none | of | object | none of whom |
| most | of | object | most of whom |
The pattern never changes.
“Some Who” vs “Some of Whom” — They Are Not Interchangeable
This is where many writers slip.
These phrases serve different grammatical purposes.
Structure One: Some Who
Example:
Some who applied were accepted.
Here:
- “Some” is the subject.
- “Who applied” modifies “some.”
No preposition appears before “who.” So “who” works.
Structure Two: Some of Whom
Example:
The applicants, some of whom were accepted, celebrated.
Here:
- “The applicants” is the main subject.
- “Some of whom” refers back to that group.
- “Of” introduces a prepositional phrase.
They do different jobs.
One identifies a subset directly.
The other comments on a subset of a known group.
Understanding that difference eliminates confusion.
Where You’ll See “Some of Whom” in Real Writing
This construction appears frequently in formal and professional writing.
You’ll find it in:
- Academic research papers
- Legal contracts
- Investigative journalism
- Corporate reports
- Policy documents
- Scholarly essays
Why?
Because formal writing preserves grammatical case more strictly.
Editors correct “some of who” instantly in these contexts.
In professional environments, small grammar errors undermine authority.
Precision signals competence.
Common Mistakes Writers Make
Even experienced writers stumble. Here are the most common errors.
Using “Who” After a Preposition
Incorrect:
The employees, some of who resigned, filed complaints.
Correct:
The employees, some of whom resigned, filed complaints.
Dropping “Of” Incorrectly
Incorrect:
The employees, some whom resigned, filed complaints.
Prepositions cannot vanish randomly.
Hypercorrection
Some writers overuse “whom.”
Incorrect:
Whom do you think will win?
Correct:
Who do you think will win?
Not every formal sentence requires “whom.”
Balance matters.
The He/Him Substitution Test
This classic trick still works beautifully.
Replace the pronoun with “he” or “him.”
If “him” fits, use “whom.”
If “he” fits, use “who.”
Test it:
The students, some of ___ were absent.
Try substitution:
- some of he were absent
- some of him were absent
“Of him” sounds structurally correct. So the answer becomes “whom.”
The test works because:
- he = subject form
- him = object form
And “whom” corresponds to “him.”
Case Study: Editing in Action
Imagine editing a business report that reads:
The executives, some of who joined last year, led the expansion.
An experienced editor spots the issue instantly.
Why?
Because “of” signals object case.
Corrected version:
The executives, some of whom joined last year, led the expansion.
The correction seems small. Its impact is large.
Professional readers notice these details.
Precision builds trust.
Why “Whom” Still Survives
Many claim “whom” is disappearing.
In casual speech, that’s true.
In formal writing, it remains alive for three reasons:
- It clarifies grammatical relationships.
- It prevents ambiguity.
- It signals polished writing.
Language evolves. Structure persists.
Legal documents and academic journals still maintain strict case distinctions. That reality keeps “whom” relevant.
Deep Grammar Insight: Internal Clause Mechanics
Inside “some of whom were present,” the pronoun performs two functions simultaneously:
- It serves as the object of the preposition “of.”
- It links to the verb in the relative clause.
This dual role makes the construction feel complex. Yet the rule remains simple.
The preposition governs the case.
That governing relationship overrides everything else.
High-Precision Examples: Correct vs Incorrect
Let’s examine multiple scenarios.
Example One
Incorrect:
The players, some of who trained abroad, excelled.
Correct:
The players, some of whom trained abroad, excelled.
Example Two
Incorrect:
The authors, many of who published early, gained recognition.
Correct:
The authors, many of whom published early, gained recognition.
Example Three
Correct:
Some who trained abroad excelled.
Notice the shift.
When “who” acts as subject without a preceding preposition, it works perfectly.
Quick Decision Framework
When you face uncertainty, follow this sequence.
Step One: Look for a Preposition
If you see “of” before the pronoun, pause.
Step Two: Identify Clause Structure
Is the phrase referring back to a previously mentioned group?
If yes, you likely need “whom.”
Step Three: Use Substitution
Replace with him or him.
Step Four: Confirm Object Case
If the object case fits, use “whom.”
No guesswork required.
Advanced Editorial Insight
Professional editors rely less on tricks and more on pattern recognition.
They know:
Quantifier + of + pronoun = object case.
That recognition becomes automatic.
In copyediting environments, consistency across long documents matters deeply.
Errors in pronoun cases can multiply quickly if not corrected early.
Why Avoiding the Structure Isn’t a Solution
Some writers sidestep the issue by rewriting.
Instead of:
The investors, some of whom withdrew early…
They write:
Several investors withdrew early.
Sometimes that works. Sometimes nuance disappears.
“Some of whom” emphasizes subset within a defined group.
Rewriting can dilute precision.
Clarity improves when you understand the rule rather than avoid it.
Comparison Table: Who vs Whom in Complex Sentences
| Sentence Type | Correct Pronoun | Reason |
| Who called? | who | Subject |
| You called whom? | whom | Object of verb |
| The team, some of whom left, regrouped | whom | Object of preposition |
| Some who left returned | who | Subject of clause |
| The clients, many of whom paid early, received bonuses | whom | Object of preposition |
Patterns stay consistent.
Psychological Reason the Mistake Persists
Humans prioritize rhythm over structure in speech.
“Some of who” sounds smoother.
The brain favors fluency. Grammar demands accuracy.
Writing allows time for structure. Speaking rewards speed.
That tension fuels repeated misuse.
Once you train yourself to notice prepositions, the mistake vanishes.
Real-World Application Across Industries
Academic Writing
Researchers frequently describe subsets:
- participants, some of whom withdrew
- respondents, many of whom agreed
Precision prevents ambiguity in data reporting.
Legal Documents
Contracts often state:
- shareholders, some of whom signed early
- parties, none of whom objected
Legal writing cannot afford grammatical uncertainty.
Journalism
Investigative reports commonly include:
- witnesses, several of whom declined comment
- officials, many of whom requested anonymity
Professional credibility depends on detail.
Practical Exercise for Mastery
Rewrite the following correctly:
The volunteers, some of who arrived late, reorganized the event.
Correct version:
The volunteers, some of whom arrived late, reorganized the event.
Now test yourself:
The volunteers, several of who stayed, cleaned up.
Correct answer:
The volunteers, several of whom stayed, cleaned up.
The pattern never changes.
Conclusion
Mastering the difference between some of whom and some of who is more than a grammar exercise—it’s about clear, professional, and confident communication. By understanding the subtle distinction, recognizing context, and applying the correct form, you can write emails, reports, and articles that reflect both precision and approachability. With practice and awareness of regional preferences, this once-confusing choice becomes second nature, allowing your writing to flow smoothly without hesitation or doubt.
FAQs
Q1. What is the main difference between some of whom and some of who?
Some of whom is grammatically correct when referring to people in the object position of a sentence, while some of who is often incorrect in formal writing.
Q2. When should I use some of whom in professional writing?
Use some of whom in emails, reports, articles, or any context where clarity, correctness, and professionalism are important, especially when the people mentioned are the object of a clause.
Q3. Can I use some of who in casual writing?
Yes, in informal contexts or conversational English, some of who may be accepted, but it’s best to stick to some of whom for accuracy and formal situations.
Q4. How can I remember which one to use?
Think about the sentence structure: if the phrase is the object of a clause, use some of whom. Reading your sentence aloud and identifying the subject and object can help make the correct choice intuitive.
