The phrases “some of whom” and “some of who” often confuse English learners. They look similar, but only one is grammatically correct.
This complete guide explains the difference, grammar rules, examples, and common mistakes—so you can use the correct form confidently.
Quick Answer
- Some of whom ✅ correct
- Some of who ❌ incorrect
👉 In short:
Always use “some of whom”
Why “Some of Whom” Is Correct
The key rule is:
👉 After a preposition (like of), English uses the object pronoun → whom
Structure
👉 some of + whom
Examples
- I met several people, some of whom were teachers.
- She invited friends, some of whom live abroad.
- There were players, some of whom got injured.
✔ This is the correct and standard grammatical form.
Why “Some of Who” Is Incorrect
❌ “Who” is a subject pronoun, and it cannot follow a preposition like of.
Incorrect Example
- I met people, some of who were late. ❌
Correct Version
- I met people, some of whom were late. ✔
👉 So, “some of who” is grammatically wrong.
Understanding “Who” vs “Whom”
| Word | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Subject | Who is coming? |
| Whom | Object | I spoke to whom |
👉 After of, always use whom ✔
Why “Whom” Is Used Here
In the phrase:
👉 some of whom
- “whom” refers to people (object)
- It is linked to the preposition “of”
- That makes it an object, not a subject
Simple Trick to Remember
👉 Preposition (of) → use “whom” ✔
Or:
👉 Replace with “them” (object form)
- some of them ✔
- some of whom ✔
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Using “Who” After “Of”
❌ some of who
✅ some of whom
2. Avoiding “Whom” Completely
Many learners avoid “whom” because it sounds formal—but it is necessary here.
3. Confusing Subject and Object
Always check:
👉 Is it the subject or object?
Real-Life Examples
Correct Usage
- There were guests, some of whom stayed late.
- He hired employees, some of whom were experienced.
- She met students, some of whom needed help.
Formal vs Informal Usage
- Formal writing → strongly prefers whom
- Informal speech → people sometimes say “who,” but it’s still incorrect
👉 For correct English, always use whom here.
American vs British English
There is no difference:
- Both use some of whom
- “Some of who” is incorrect in both
Related Words and LSI Keywords
- Who vs whom
- Object pronouns
- English grammar rules
- Relative pronouns
- Prepositions in English
- Common grammar mistakes
FAQs
Which is correct: some of whom or some of who?
Some of whom is correct.
Why is “some of who” wrong?
Because “who” cannot follow a preposition like of.
When do we use “whom”?
When referring to the object of a sentence or after a preposition.
Is “whom” still used in modern English?
Yes, especially in formal writing and correct grammar.
Can I avoid using “whom”?
Sometimes, but not in this structure.
Is this a common mistake?
Yes, very common.
Summary
- Some of whom ✔ correct
- Some of who ❌ incorrect
👉 Use whom after of because it is the object form.
Final Thoughts
Understanding who vs whom can feel tricky, but this rule is simple: after a preposition like “of,” always use “whom.” Once you remember this, you’ll avoid one of the most common grammar mistakes in English.
Sarah Davis is a content writer at BibliHub.com, focused on delivering clear, organized, and easy-to-read articles. Her writing prioritizes simplicity without losing accuracy, helping readers quickly grasp key ideas. Sarah is dedicated to creating content that is informative, reliable, and suitable for a wide audience seeking practical knowledge.
