Some of Whom or Some of Who? The Complete Grammar Guide

Writers, English learners, and speakers often see how language shapes communication fast; people judge clarity, confidence, detail, and writing credibility—Some of Whom or Some of Who guides better choices today.

From experience and basic grammar, this quick guide and simple guide explains the difference, distinction, and important difference between the phrase some of whom versus some of who, a choice that feels confusing for native speakers now and then.

The key concept is knowing, understanding, and whether to use them in formal English or informal English, since one wrong decision dramatically changes how polished writing appears.

Through writing review and regularly checking, common mistakes, common errors, and incorrect usage stand out when who as a subject pronoun and whom as an object pronoun get mixed in a sentence or clause.

Table of Contents

Why Choosing “Some of Whom” or “Some of Who” Still Matters

Readers form opinions in seconds. When someone sees a sentence like:

“The guests, some of who arrived early, enjoyed the dinner.”

They may pause because something feels off. That subtle hesitation weakens the flow of your message and your credibility takes a hit. Strong grammar creates smoother reading and a more convincing tone. This is especially true when you work in academic writing, research, analysis, law, or education. Even in everyday conversations, correct phrasing boosts clarity and avoids confusion.

People may tell you that grammar rules don’t matter anymore. They do matter because readers still judge the precision of your writing during important moments. Recommendation letters, research papers, instructions, documentation, contracts, and proposals all demand correct structure. This guide shows you how to handle “some of whom” and “some of who” with confidence and skill.

Understanding Who and Whom in Plain English

Before you understand “some of whom” you need complete clarity on who and whom. Forget complicated grammar textbooks. Here is the simple rule:

Who = the subject (the person doing the action)
Whom = the object (the person receiving the action)

Think about it like this:

Pronoun	Role	Example
Who	Subject	Who made this cake?
Whom	Object	Whom did you call?

A subject performs an action.
An object receives an action.

You see this pattern everywhere in English although casual speech blurs the difference. People often say “Who did you invite?” instead of “Whom did you invite?” You understand the meaning either way yet the correct form still matters in polished writing.

Here is a short analogy that makes the difference easy:

Think of “who” as the driver
and “whom” as the passenger.

Drivers act. Passengers receive the action.

When you choose between “some of whom” and “some of who” you determine whether the pronoun acts or receives the action in your sentence.

The Fast He/Him Test That Always Works

When you get confused try the he/him test. It never fails because it follows the same subject/object logic.

Replace “who/whom” with he or him.

If he fits the sentence → use who
If him fits the sentence → use whom

Examples:

You spoke to him → correct version: whom
He arrived early → correct version: who

Try this one:

“The students, some of ___ completed the assignment, received praise.”

Replace with he/him:

Some of he completed the assignment. (incorrect)
Some of him completed the assignment. (makes sense)

Since him fits you use whom.

Final sentence:

“The students, some of whom completed the assignment, received praise.”

This trick works because “him” is an object pronoun and “whom” matches that role.

Breaking Down the Phrase “Some of Whom”

Now you understand “who” and “whom” so you can break down the phrase “some of whom.”

Look at the structure:

“Some” = a quantity referring to part of a group
“Of” = a preposition
“Whom” = object pronoun required after a preposition
Example:

“She interviewed twenty experts, some of whom offered valuable insights.”

You see why “some of whom” works. The preposition “of” links the verb to the object. “Whom” receives the action.

Many writers struggle because “some” appears before the preposition and distracts them. The real connection happens between of and whom. Once you notice that link the rule becomes easy.

When “Some of Who” Can Actually Be Correct

Yes, “some of who” sometimes works. It happens when the structure changes and the pronoun acts as a subject inside the clause. It’s less common but completely grammatical when the clause contains its own verb that the pronoun performs.

Example:

“He mentioned the writers some of who contributed to the anthology.”

Here “who contributed” forms a subject-verb unit. “Who” performs the action “contributed.” Since “who” acts as the subject you can use “some of who.”

However it feels less natural in polished writing because readers expect “whom” after a preposition. Writers normally avoid this form in academic or professional contexts. You can use it in informal writing when clarity remains strong.

You still need caution because the structure can sound awkward if the relative clause becomes too long. Many editors prefer “some of whom” and rewrite the sentence to keep the language smooth.

How Prepositions Control Your Choice of Who or Whom

Prepositions behave like strict bosses. They demand object pronouns because of how English grammar works. These words always take objects:

of
with
to
for
from
by
about
among
without

When any preposition appears before a pronoun you must use the object form. “Whom” fits that role. That’s why “some of whom” appears far more often in formal writing.

Examples that show the pattern:

People with whom she worked praised her leadership.
The classmates about whom we spoke arrived.
The investors from whom we raised funds visited today.

Even if the sentence feels heavy the grammar remains correct because prepositions demand objects.

Here’s a quick table that proves the pattern:

Preposition + Pronoun	Correct Form	Example
of + whom	Yes	Some of whom agreed.
of + who	Rare/informal	Some of who disagreed.
with + whom	Yes	People with whom we traveled.
with + who	Incorrect	—
for + whom	Yes	A cause for whom many donated.
for + who	Incorrect	—

This rule gives you a reliable foundation when you revise or edit polished writing.

“Some of Whom” in Academic, Professional, and Everyday Writing

Your writing style shifts depending on your audience. You may relax a little during daily conversations yet precision becomes essential when you write for teachers, clients, or supervisors. This section breaks down how audiences expect you to use “some of whom” or “some of who.”

Academic Writing and “Some of Whom”

Teachers and professors value accuracy because academic writing builds arguments based on structure and clarity. They expect strict rule-based grammar especially in essays, research papers, analyses, or literature reviews. You use “some of whom” when describing groups, sources, authors, or research participants.

Examples:

The participants, some of whom held advanced degrees, completed the survey.
The poets, some of whom influenced modern verse, shaped the genre.

Students lose points when they ignore this rule because instructors see the error as a lack of polish. Using the correct form strengthens credibility.

Professional Writing and “Some of Whom”

Business communication depends on clarity. When your message appears polished your professionalism shines through. Reports, proposals, instructions, summaries, policy documents, and HR forms all benefit from precise grammar.

Examples:

The applicants, some of whom met every requirement, attended the final interview.
The departments, some of whom collaborated closely, improved productivity.

Correct phrasing reduces friction because readers interpret your work as reliable.

Everyday Writing: When Rules Relax

Daily texting and casual emails allow more flexibility because people focus on meaning rather than structure. You see “who” used everywhere even when “whom” would technically be correct.

Example:

I met some of who helped with the cleanup.

This works in casual talk although it sounds less smooth in formal communication. When clarity matters use the correct form. When speed matters you can relax without confusing the reader.

Common Mistakes and Why They Happen

Writers make consistent errors when choosing between “some of whom” and “some of who.” Understanding why these mistakes happen helps you avoid them.

Using “Who” Everywhere

People tend to overuse “who” because it feels easier. It sounds natural and appears in many everyday sentences. They forget that prepositions demand object pronouns.

Example mistake:

“The guests, some of who arrived late, apologized.”

Avoiding “Whom” Entirely

Some writers fear “whom” because it sounds formal. They think it makes their writing stiff. The problem appears when they replace necessary structure with incorrect forms.

Breaking the Sentence to Avoid the Rule

Some writers change the sentence entirely to dodge the decision. This creates overly wordy sentences or confusing phrasing.

Example:

“There were people. They were some. They arrived.”

That structure loses clarity.

Misunderstanding How the Relative Clause Works

Many errors happen because writers can’t identify the subject and object in the clause. Once you learn the he/him test you solve this problem instantly.

Smart Rewrites if You Hate Using “Whom”

Sometimes you dislike the formality of “whom.” You can keep your writing clean by restructuring the sentence so you avoid the pronoun entirely.

Here are powerful rewrite strategies:

Switch the Sentence Order

Original:
“The applicants, some of whom came early, waited outside.”

Rewrite:
“Some applicants came early and waited outside.”

Replace the Pronoun with a Noun

Original:
“She questioned the interns, some of whom lacked experience.”

Rewrite:
“She questioned the inexperienced interns.”

Split the Clause

Original:
“The readers, some of whom supported the change, emailed feedback.”

Rewrite:
“Many readers supported the change. They emailed feedback.”

Remove the Preposition

Original:
“The people, some of whom I trained, advanced quickly.”

Rewrite:
“The people who I trained advanced quickly.”

These rewrites keep the meaning intact while avoiding complex grammar structures.

Advanced Grammar Considerations for Experts

You may want deeper control as your writing grows more advanced. Here are details that help you handle complex structures cleanly.

When the Subject Appears Later

Sometimes the subject hides behind other words. This creates confusion because the pronoun’s role becomes less obvious.

Example:

“The employees, some of whom management trusted, received new assignments.”

Here “whom” receives trust. Management performs the action. That keeps the object case correct.

Case Shifting Inside Relative Clauses

Sometimes the pronoun begins as an object then shifts roles depending on your sentence structure.

Example:

“The authors, some of who wrote anonymously, shared their drafts.”

Here “who wrote anonymously” forms a subject-verb unit. “Who” performs “wrote.” Even though “of” appears before the pronoun the clause acts differently. This is why “some of who” can be correct in specific structures.

Sentences Where Both Forms Sound Possible

Some sentences seem to accept both choices because the relative clause allows multiple interpretations.

Example:

“The team, some of who the manager selected personally, finished early.”

“The team, some of whom the manager selected personally, finished early.”

The second version works better because the manager performs the action of selecting and “whom” receives it.

Practice Section With Answers

Try these short fill-in-the-blank exercises. Use the he/him test before checking the answers.

Sentences

The candidates, some of ___ impressed the judges, advanced.
The artists, some of ___ she interviewed, displayed unique styles.
The guests, some of ___ arrived on time, waited in the hall.
The donors, some of ___ contributed large gifts, received recognition.
The members, some of ___ the director recommended, joined the project.
The speakers, some of ___ practiced for weeks, delivered great talks.

Answers

who
whom
who
whom
whom
who

Final Cheat Sheet for Quick Reference

Use this screen-friendly checklist whenever you edit.

Use “Some of Whom” When:

A preposition appears before the pronoun
The pronoun receives an action
The sentence appears in academic or professional writing
You describe groups or subsets within a larger category

Use “Some of Who” When:

The pronoun acts as the subject in the clause
The relative clause performs its own action
You write informally and clarity remains strong

Always Remember:

Who = subject
Whom = object
Prepositions → object forms
He/Him test never fails
Readers judge clarity within seconds

Conclusion

Choosing between some of whom and some of who may look small but it has a big impact on your clarity, confidence, and writing credibility. When you understand how who and whom work as pronouns, your sentence structure becomes stronger and your communication feels polished. With regular practice, careful attention, and quick writing review, you avoid common errors and improve your English usage naturally. Over time, these small grammar choices sharpen your writing skills and help your message land clearly every time.