Some of Whom vs Some of Who: Examples, Rules, and Common Errors

If you’ve ever paused mid-sentence wondering whether to write “some of whom” or “some of who,” you’re not alone. This small grammar choice trips up even confident writers because both phrases sound similar, yet only one is usually correct.

The good news? Once you understand one simple rule, you’ll never second-guess it again. In this guide, we’ll break it down clearly, give real-life examples, highlight common mistakes, and help you use the correct form naturally and confidently.

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Quick Answer

“Some of whom” is correct when referring to people in formal or standard English.

• ✅ Correct: She invited ten guests, some of whom were doctors.
• ❌ Incorrect: She invited ten guests, some of who were doctors.

👉 Use “whom” because it acts as the object of the preposition “of.”

Understanding the Difference

At the heart of this confusion is the difference between “who” and “whom.”

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

In the phrase “some of whom,” the word whom is part of a prepositional phrase (of whom), making it the object. That’s why whom is grammatically correct.

Simple Rule to Remember

If there’s a preposition like “of,” “to,” “for,” or “with” before it, use “whom.”

✔ some of whom
✔ many of whom
✔ a few of whom

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What Does “Some of Whom” Mean?

The phrase “some of whom” is used to refer to a group of people, where you’re specifically highlighting a portion of them.

Structure:

• Main clause + comma + some of whom + additional information

Example:

• She hired five employees, some of whom had prior experience.

Here, “some of whom” refers back to employees and adds extra detail.

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Real-Life Examples for Clarity

Let’s look at how this phrase works in everyday writing:

• There were 20 participants, some of whom traveled from abroad.
• He met several authors, some of whom had won awards.
• They adopted three puppies, some of whom needed medical care.

👉 Notice how each sentence:

• Refers to people (or animals treated as people)
• Adds extra information
• Uses a comma before the phrase

Why “Some of Who” Is Incorrect

The phrase “some of who” is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English.

Why?

Because “who” cannot follow a preposition like “of.” The correct object form is “whom.”

Incorrect Example:

• ❌ She spoke to several students, some of who were absent.

Correct Version:

• ✅ She spoke to several students, some of whom were absent.

Comparison Table: “Some of Whom” vs “Some of Who”

Feature	Some of Whom ✅	Some of Who ❌
Grammar correctness	Correct	Incorrect
Usage	Formal and standard English	Non-standard/incorrect
Role of pronoun	Object	Subject (wrong here)
After preposition	✔ Yes	✘ No
Example	Some of whom attended	Some of who attended ❌

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced writers slip up here. Watch out for these:

1. Using “who” after a preposition

• ❌ many of who
• ✅ many of whom

2. Dropping the comma

• ❌ She invited guests some of whom were late.
• ✅ She invited guests, some of whom were late.

👉 The comma is important because it introduces a non-essential clause.

3. Overusing “whom” incorrectly

Don’t use whom everywhere only when it’s the object.

• ❌ Whom is coming to the party?
• ✅ Who is coming to the party?

Easy Trick to Check Yourself

Try this quick test:

👉 Replace the clause with “them.”

• Some of them were late → correct
• So: some of whom were late ✅

If “them” fits, then “whom” is correct.

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American vs British English Usage

Both American English and British English agree that “some of whom” is grammatically correct.

However, there’s a slight difference in everyday usage:

• American English:
  “Whom” is often avoided in casual speech. People may rephrase sentences instead.
  • Casual: Some were late.
  • Formal: Some of whom were late.
• British English:
  “Whom” is used slightly more often in formal contexts but is still declining in everyday conversation.

👉 In both cases, formal writing (academic, professional, SEO content) should always use “some of whom.”

Related Phrases You Should Know (LSI Keywords)

Understanding similar structures will boost your grammar and SEO writing:

• many of whom
• several of whom
• a few of whom
• most of whom
• none of whom

Examples:

• He interviewed ten candidates, many of whom were qualified.
• She has several friends, a few of whom live abroad.

When Can You Avoid “Whom” Entirely?

If you want to keep things simple, you can restructure your sentence:

Instead of:

• She met ten people, some of whom were teachers.

You can write:

• She met ten people. Some were teachers.

👉 This is especially useful for conversational writing.

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FAQs

1. Is “some of who” ever correct?

No, it is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English.

2. Why is “whom” used instead of “who”?

Because it functions as the object of the preposition “of.”

3. Can I skip “whom” in casual writing?

Yes, you can rewrite the sentence to avoid it, especially in informal contexts.

4. Is “some of which” similar?

Yes, but it’s used for things, not people.

• I read several books, some of which were fascinating.

5. Do native speakers still use “whom”?

Less in speech, but it’s still important in formal and written English.

6. Is “whom” outdated?

Not outdated just more formal. It’s still essential for correct grammar in writing.

7. Can I use “that” instead?

Not in this structure. “That” doesn’t work after prepositions like “of.”

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Final Summary

Choosing between “some of whom” and “some of who” becomes easy once you understand the role of pronouns. Since the phrase includes a preposition (of), it requires the object form “whom.” That’s why “some of whom” is the correct and standard choice in formal English.

Although modern usage especially in American English sometimes avoids “whom” in casual conversation, it remains important in professional, academic, . Using it correctly not only improves clarity but also enhances your credibility as a writer.

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Actionable Takeaway

Next time you write a sentence like this, remember:

• If it includes “of,” always use “whom.”
• Use the “them” test to double-check.
• When in doubt, rewrite the sentence for simplicity.

Master this one rule, and you’ll eliminate a common grammar mistake for good.