In real English, even native speakers hesitate when choosing between Who Else or Whom Else. That hesitation is rooted in the ongoing debate over formal correctness versus natural flow. I once found myself rewriting an email three times because “To who else should I send this?” felt off. The confusion multiplies when grammar collides with instinct. One version may be more correct in formal writing, but the other just sounds more natural in modern usage – especially in casual speech. That’s when context quietly takes the lead.
This article isn’t about rigid rules; it’s about demystifying the grammatical logic behind everyday choices. By exploring real speech patterns, we see how language, like people, is constantly evolving. Even when rules exist, people tend to use what feels right. You can learn textbook grammar, but applying it naturally in the real-world takes practice. So next time you’re unsure about “who else” or “whom else,” test it in conversation. Let the sentence breathe – does it sound like something you’d actually say?
Quick Answer: Is It “Who Else” or “Whom Else”?
✅ “Who else” is almost always the correct and natural choice – especially in everyday speech.
While “whom else” is technically correct in some formal contexts, it’s rare in real-world usage and often sounds overly stiff.
Examples:
- ✅ Who else is coming to the meeting?
- ✅ Who else do you know from that team?
- ✔️ To whom else should I address the letter? (Correct, but formal and rare)
Understanding the Grammar: Subject vs. Object Pronouns
Before we dive deeper, it’s important to understand how pronouns work in English – specifically, the difference between subject and object pronouns.
Subject Pronouns
These do the action in a sentence:
- I, you, he, she, it, we, they, who
Example: He likes pizza. → Who likes pizza?
Object Pronouns
These receive the action in a sentence:
- me, you, him, her, it, us, them, whom
Example: I like him. → Whom do you like?
Breaking Down “Who” vs. “Whom”
Let’s look at how “who” and “whom” function grammatically.
| Pronoun | Role | Function | Example |
| who | Subject | Does the action | Who called you? |
| whom | Object | Receives the action | Whom did you call? |
Trick to Know Which to Use
Try substituting he/she or him/her:
- If “he” or “she” fits → use who
- If “him” or “her” fits → use whom
✅ Who else called? → He called. ✅ To whom else did you speak? → I spoke to him.
Does “Else” Change the Rule?
Not at all.
The word “else” simply means “in addition to others.” It doesn’t change the grammatical role of who or whom.
Examples:
- ✅ Who else needs help? → He needs help. (subject)
- ✅ Whom else did you invite? → You invited him. (object)
Conclusion: Always focus on whether the pronoun is doing the action or receiving it. “Else” is just an extra word that modifies “who” or “whom.”
How to Identify the Role in a Sentence
Knowing whether “who” or “whom” is correct depends on its function in the sentence. Here’s how you can quickly figure it out.
Step-by-Step Test
- Turn the question into a statement.
- Replace “who/whom” with “he/him”.
- See which makes more sense.
Examples:
- Question: Who else is coming to the party? → Statement: He is coming to the party. ✅ Use “who”
- Question: Whom else did you see? → Statement: You saw him. ✅ Use “whom”
Real-Life Usage: What Do People Actually Say?
Let’s break it down.
| Phrase | Grammatical? | Common in Speech? | Formality Level |
| Who else is there? | ✅ Correct | ✅ Very common | Neutral |
| Whom else did you invite? | ✅ Correct | ❌ Rare | High |
| Who else did you invite? | ❌ Strictly | ✅ Very common | Low |
Bottom Line:
People overwhelmingly say “who else”, even when “whom else” is technically correct.
❝In spoken English, the use of “whom” is disappearing – even in cases where it’s grammatically accurate.❞ – Cambridge Grammar of the English Language
Common Mistakes and Why They Happen
Many speakers try to sound more formal or grammatically correct by using “whom,” but this often backfires.
Common Errors
- ❌ To who else should I speak? ➡️ Fix: To whom else should I speak?
- ❌ Whom else wants dessert? ➡️ Fix: Who else wants dessert?
Why the Mistakes Happen
- Overcorrecting because “whom” sounds more proper.
- Misidentifying sentence structure.
- Not understanding what role “who” or “whom” plays in the sentence.
How Language Is Evolving: Grammar vs. Usage
English is not frozen in time. It evolves based on how people use it.
Key Observations
- The word “whom” is fading in everyday English.
- Formal writing (academia, law, certain journalism) still uses “whom.”
Informal writing (emails, blogs, texting) favors “who” – even when it’s technically wrong.
Case Study: Corpora Analysis
A search in the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA) shows:
| Phrase | Frequency per million words |
| “Who else” | 7.32 |
| “Whom else” | 0.02 |
Conclusion: Even educated writers and speakers rarely use “whom else.”
Formal vs. Informal Usage: Which Should You Use?
When to Use “Who Else”
- Everyday conversation
- Emails
- Social media
- Blogs and casual writing
When to Use “Whom Else”
- Formal letters
- Academic essays
- Legal or business documents
- When the sentence includes a preposition (e.g., to, for, with)
“Whom else should I include in the correspondence?” sounds correct in an academic setting. But you’d probably say “Who else should I include?” in a Slack message.
How to Avoid Sounding Stiff or Wrong
The key is to balance correctness with natural flow.
Tips:
- Use “who else” unless the sentence is highly formal.
- Don’t overuse “whom” – especially if it sounds forced.
Always test the sentence using he/him substitution.
Natural Grammar Examples
| Formal Version | Conversational Version |
| To whom else shall I send this? | Who else should I send this to? |
| Whom else did the manager call? | Who else did the manager call? |
| Whom else should be included? | Who else should be included? |
Quick Reference Table: “Who Else” vs. “Whom Else”
| Situation | Correct Form | Why |
| Subject of the sentence | Who else | “Who” does the action |
| Object of the verb | Whom else | “Whom” receives the action (formal only) |
| Object of a preposition | Whom else | Follows “to,” “for,” “with” |
| Casual/informal speech | Who else | More natural, common |
| Professional/formal writing | Whom else | Preferred for clarity and tone |
Decision Tree: Should You Use “Who Else” or “Whom Else”?
plaintext
CopyEdit
Is the pronoun doing the action? → Yes → Use “Who else”
↓
No → Is there a preposition before it?
↓ ↓
Yes No
↓ ↓
Use “Whom else” Use “Whom else” (formal) or “Who else” (informal)
Case Studies: Grammar in the Wild
Case Study 1: Business Email
- Sentence: “Who else should I loop into this thread?”
- Grammatical Role: Subject
- ✅ Correct: “Who else”
- ❌ Avoid: “Whom else”
Case Study 2: College Essay
- Sentence: “To whom else can credit be given for the breakthrough?”
- Grammatical Role: Object of the preposition “to”
- ✅ Correct: “Whom else”
Case Study 3: Social Media
- Sentence: “Who else saw that insane ending??”
- ✅ Correct and natural: “Who else”
Key Takeaways
- Use “who else” in most cases, especially in everyday writing or speech.
- “Whom else” is grammatically correct only when the pronoun is the object, especially with a preposition.
- Modern usage heavily favors “who else”, even in traditionally formal situations.
- Use the “he/him” test to double-check your grammar.
- Clarity > correctness – if “whom else” sounds robotic, it probably is.
Additional Resources
- Grammarly: Who vs. Whom
- Merriam-Webster Usage Notes
- Cambridge Dictionary Entry for “Whom”
Conclusion
The debate between “who else” or “whom else” isn’t just about rules – it’s about clarity, tone, and real-world usage.
While grammar purists might cling to “whom,” language has moved on. In nearly every scenario, “who else” is the preferred, natural, and often correct choice. Use “whom else” when context demands formality, but don’t be afraid to sound like a real person.
The next time you’re in doubt, just remember:
- Ask: Is it doing the action? → Use “who else.”
- Ask: Is it receiving the action? → Use “whom else” – but only if it doesn’t sound awkward.
FAQs
What is the difference between “Who Else” and “Whom Else”?
The main difference lies in grammar function:
- “Who else” is used when the pronoun is the subject of the sentence (i.e., doing the action).
- “Whom else” is used when the pronoun is the object of the sentence (i.e., receiving the action), typically in formal writing.
Examples:
- Who else is speaking? (subject → correct)
- To whom else should we give credit? (object with preposition → correct)
Is “Whom Else” still used in modern English?
Yes, but very rarely – and usually only in formal or academic contexts. In everyday speech and writing, most native speakers opt for “who else” even when “whom else” would be technically correct.
Fact: A corpus study shows that “whom else” occurs fewer than 3 times per million words, while “who else” is significantly more frequent.
Can I use “Who Else” in professional emails or formal writing?
Yes, in most cases. Unless you’re writing in a very strict formal style (e.g., legal or academic), “who else” is acceptable and often preferable for clarity and tone.
Example:
- ✅ Who else should I CC on this email? (acceptable in business contexts)
Only use “whom else” if your sentence involves a preposition and the tone is extremely formal.
How can I test whether to use “Who Else” or “Whom Else”?
Use the he/him substitution test:
- Replace “who/whom” with he/him.
- If “he” fits → use who else.
- If “him” fits → use whom else.
Example:
- You spoke to him. → To whom else did you speak?
- He is going to the party. → Who else is going to the party?
Why does “Whom Else” sound strange even if it’s grammatically correct?
Because spoken English favors simplicity and flow over strict grammatical correctness. “Whom” often feels stilted or unnatural, especially in casual conversations.
Even educated speakers will default to “who else” to avoid sounding robotic or overly formal.
Tip: When in doubt, prioritize clarity and tone over grammar formality – unless you’re writing for an audience that expects it.
