Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[tisogai]

Please help.

I wonder who to invite to the party.

I wonder whom to invite to the party.

who or whom, which is correct and why??

Thanks so much.

[CP]

When it refers to the subject, use who. When it refers to the objec, use whom. You can usually get it right (and remember which one to use) by substituting he (subject) and him (object) into the sentence. (You usually have to rearrange the sentence a little first.)

I wonder whom to invite to the party. I wonder if I should invite him (not he) to the party.

I wonder who is the best candidate. I wonder if he (not him) is the best candidate.

To whom should I mail the tickets? I should mail the tickets to him (not he).
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[Lorikeet]

Just be aware that in spoken informal American English, "whom" is rarely used.

We tend to say " I don't know who to invite." instead of "I don't know whom to invite." Or "Who did you give the book to?" instead of "To whom did you give the book?"

[CP]

Yes, Lorikeet is quite right. I should have mentioned that.

Old New Yorker cartoon: Secretary taking dictation says to the boss: "Who should I address this toom?"
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb