Have you ever wondered about who else vs whom else when writing a question like “Who else should I invite?” or “Whom else should I invite?” 🤔 This small grammar choice can make even confident English speakers stop and think. The confusion becomes stronger when who and whom appear with the word else.
The good news is that the difference between who else vs whom else is easier to understand once you look at the job the pronoun does in the sentence. Who is traditionally used for a subject, while whom is traditionally used for an object. However, modern English often uses who in places where traditional grammar would expect whom.
In everyday American English, who else is by far the more natural and common choice in many questions. Still, whom else can be grammatically appropriate in formal constructions when whom is functioning as an object.
This guide explains the difference clearly, shows when each form works, and gives you simple tests to choose the right expression. Attain vs Obtain
Quick Answer: Who Else vs Whom Else
Who else is the normal and natural expression in most everyday English. It asks about another person or people in addition to someone already mentioned or understood.
Whom else can be grammatically correct when whom is the object of a verb or preposition, especially in formal writing. However, it often sounds formal or stiff in ordinary American English. Merriam-Webster notes that whom is the objective form of who, but also explains that who is widely used in object positions in modern English.
For example:
- Who else is coming? ✅
- Who else wants pizza? ✅
- Who else did you invite? ✅ Natural
- Whom else did you invite? ✅ Grammatically traditional, but formal
- Whom else is coming? ❌ Incorrect because the pronoun is the subject of “is coming.”
The simplest rule is:
Use “who else” when the person is doing the action. Use “whom else” when the person is receiving the action or follows a preposition in formal grammar.
Understanding the Basics of Who Else vs Whom Else
To understand who else vs whom else, you first need to understand who and whom.
What Does “Who” Mean?
Who is a pronoun used to ask about or refer to a person or people.
Examples:
- Who called you?
- Who is at the door?
- Who wants to join us?
- Who else knows about this?
- Who else is coming tonight?
In traditional grammar, who functions as the subject of a verb.
Consider:
Who else called the manager?
The unknown person is performing the action called.
You can replace “who” with he, she, or they:
They called the manager.
Because they is a subject pronoun, who is the traditional choice.
What Does “Whom” Mean?
Whom is the objective form of who. It traditionally functions as the object of a verb or preposition. Merriam-Webster defines whom as the objective case of who.
Examples:
- Whom did you invite?
- Whom did she call?
- To whom did you speak?
- With whom are you traveling?
You can often replace whom with him, her, or them.
For example:
Whom did you invite?
Change it into a statement:
You invited them.
Because them is an object pronoun, whom is traditionally correct.
What Does “Else” Do?
The word else means “in addition to the person or thing already mentioned, considered, or understood.”
Examples:
- Who else is coming?
- What else do you need?
- Where else can we go?
- Who else knows the answer?
In who else, the word else does not change the grammatical role of who.
Likewise, in whom else, else does not automatically turn whom into the correct choice.
The important question remains:
Is the pronoun functioning as a subject or an object?
Comparison Table
| Form | Type | Meaning | Example | Correct/Incorrect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| who else | Subject pronoun + else | Which other person or people | Who else is coming? | ✅ Correct |
| who else | Subject pronoun + else | Which other person performs an action | Who else wants to help? | ✅ Correct |
| who else | Object pronoun in modern usage | Which other person receives an action | Who else did you call? | ✅ Common |
| whom else | Object pronoun + else | Which other person receives an action | Whom else did you call? | ✅ Formal/traditional |
| whom else | Object pronoun + else | Which other person follows a preposition | For whom else is this gift? | ✅ Formal |
| whom else | Object pronoun used as subject | Which other person performs an action | Whom else is coming? | ❌ Incorrect |
Who Else: The Most Common Choice
For most everyday questions, who else is the form you should use.
“Who Else Is Coming?”
This is one of the clearest examples.
Who else is coming to the party?
Here, who else is the subject of is coming.
The question is asking:
Which other person is coming?
You could answer:
Sarah is coming.
Sarah is performing the action of coming, so who is correct.
“Who Else Wants to Join?”
Consider:
Who else wants to join us?
Again, who else is the subject.
The hidden structure is:
Someone else wants to join us.
The person is doing the action wants, so who is the traditional choice.
“Who Else Knows?”
Another common example is:
Who else knows about the meeting?
The person represented by who else is the one who knows.
Therefore:
Who else knows? ✅
Not:
Whom else knows? ❌
The second version incorrectly places an object pronoun in the subject position.
Who Else as an Object in Modern English
This is where the topic becomes more interesting.
Traditional grammar would often recommend whom when the pronoun is the object of a verb.
For example:
Whom else did you invite?
The grammatical structure is:
You invited whom else.
The person receives the action of invite.
So, under the traditional subject/object rule, whom else is correct.
However, modern English frequently uses who instead:
Who else did you invite?
This is extremely natural in American English.
Merriam-Webster explains that although whom is technically the object form of who, actual English usage commonly uses who in object positions, particularly in ordinary speech and writing.
That means:
Who else did you invite? ✅ Natural and standard in modern English
Whom else did you invite? ✅ Traditional/formal
Whom else is coming? ❌ Wrong because the pronoun is the subject
Whom Else: When Is It Correct?
Whom else is not automatically wrong.
It can be correct when whom functions as an object.
Example 1: Whom Else Did You Invite?
Whom else did you invite to the wedding?
Break it down:
- You = subject
- did invite = verb
- whom else = object
The person receives the action of being invited.
So traditional grammar supports:
Whom else did you invite?
However, most people would naturally say:
Who else did you invite?
Both can communicate the same idea, but the second sounds much more natural in everyday American English.
Example 2: Whom Else Did She Contact?
Whom else did she contact?
The structure is:
She contacted whom else.
Because the pronoun is the object of contacted, whom is traditionally appropriate.
Again, everyday English would usually prefer:
Who else did she contact?
Example 3: For Whom Else?
A preposition provides another clear situation.
For whom else was the letter intended?
Here, whom follows the preposition for.
Traditional formal grammar therefore favors whom.
Merriam-Webster specifically notes that whom is preferred after a preposition, although who is widely used in less formal contexts.
The Easy Who-or-Whom Test
One of the easiest ways to decide between who and whom is the he/him test.
Replace the pronoun with:
- he/they → use who
- him/them → use whom in traditional grammar
Example: Who Else Is Coming?
Ask:
Is he coming?
Yes.
You would not say:
Is him coming?
Therefore:
Who else is coming? ✅
Example: Whom Else Did You Invite?
Ask:
Did you invite him?
Yes.
You would not say:
Did you invite he?
Therefore, traditional grammar gives:
Whom else did you invite? ✅
But because modern English often uses who in this type of question, the natural everyday version is:
Who else did you invite? ✅
Test Tip
When you’re unsure, rewrite the sentence as a simple statement.
Ask yourself:
Is the person doing the action or receiving it?
- Doing the action → who
- Receiving the action → traditionally whom
This test is especially useful in formal writing.
Who Else vs Whom Else in Questions
Questions can make the distinction harder because word order changes.
Subject Question
Who else called you?
Statement:
Someone else called you.
The person is the subject.
Therefore:
Who else called you? ✅
Object Question
Who else did you call?
Statement:
You called someone else.
The person is the object.
Traditional grammar:
Whom else did you call?
Modern everyday English:
Who else did you call?
The modern version is usually the better choice unless you deliberately want a formal style.
A Simple Sentence Breakdown
Look at these two sentences:
Sentence A
Who else helped you?
Breakdown:
- Who else = subject
- helped = verb
- you = object
The person represented by who else performs the action.
Therefore, who is correct.
Sentence B
Whom else did you help?
Breakdown:
- you = subject
- did help = verb
- whom else = object
The person represented by whom else receives the action.
Therefore, whom is traditionally correct.
However, most speakers would say:
Who else did you help?
This is a key point: grammatical tradition and modern usage do not always produce the same preferred sentence.
Who Else vs Whom Else in a Real-Life Workplace Example
Imagine that you work in an office and your manager asks you to send an important report.
You have already contacted one coworker, but you need help from another person.
You might ask:
Who else should I contact about the report?
This is completely natural.
Your coworker might reply:
Contact Daniel. He handles that department.
Now imagine that you are writing a very formal document:
Whom else should I contact regarding this matter?
This version follows the traditional object rule because the implied structure is:
I should contact whom else.
But it sounds much more formal.
For ordinary workplace email, the first version is usually clearer:
Who else should I contact about this report?
This example shows why grammar is not only about identifying what is technically possible. Good writing also considers tone, audience, and natural usage.
Grammar Rules: Why Who and Whom Behave Differently
The basic grammatical distinction comes from case.
Who Is the Subject Form
Traditionally:
who = subject
Example:
Who called?
The unknown person performed the action.
Whom Is the Object Form
Traditionally:
whom = object
Example:
Whom did you call?
The unknown person received the action.
Merriam-Webster describes who as referring to a person and whom as its objective form. It also notes that the distinction can become complicated in actual usage because English speakers frequently use who where traditional grammar would expect whom.
This means you should not assume that every sentence containing an object requires whom in modern American English.
Why Does “Whom” Sound Formal?
English has changed over time.
In modern conversation, many speakers rarely use whom. As a result, sentences containing whom can sound formal, old-fashioned, or carefully edited.
For example:
Who did you talk to?
sounds completely natural.
Compare:
To whom did you speak?
This is grammatically traditional and formal, but it can sound stiff in casual conversation.
Merriam-Webster makes a similar point, explaining that whom often has a formal feel and that who is standard in many ordinary contexts.
Is “Whom Else” Wrong?
No. Whom else is not inherently wrong.
The important issue is its grammatical position.
Correct
Whom else did you invite?
Here, whom is the object of invite.
Correct but Formal
For whom else was the position created?
Here, whom follows for.
Incorrect
Whom else is waiting outside?
Here, the pronoun is the subject of is waiting.
The correct form is:
Who else is waiting outside?
So the real rule is not:
“Never use whom else.”
The better rule is:
Use whom else only when the pronoun has an object function in traditional grammar.
Common Mistakes With Who Else and Whom Else
Why do people make mistakes with these expressions? Several reasons are common.
1. Fast Typing
When people type quickly, they often choose the word that feels familiar.
Because who else is extremely common, many people automatically use it even in formal contexts where traditional grammar would prefer whom else.
This is not usually a serious communication problem.
2. Autocorrect
Autocorrect can sometimes reinforce common forms.
If you frequently type who, your device may predict who before you have finished the sentence.
That can make careful grammar editing harder.
3. Lack of Grammar Knowledge
Some learners are taught that whom is simply a “more formal who.”
That is not the complete rule.
The real distinction traditionally depends on grammatical function:
- who → subject
- whom → object
4. Overcorrecting
The opposite mistake also happens.
Some writers think whom always sounds more intelligent or professional.
They may write:
Whom else is coming to the meeting?
That is incorrect because whom else is the subject of is coming.
Using a difficult word does not automatically make a sentence more correct.
Similar Grammar Confusions
| Confusion | Correct Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| who / whom | Subject vs. object | Who called? / Whom did you call? |
| who’s / whose | “Who is/has” vs. possession | Who’s here? / Whose book is this? |
| it’s / its | “It is” vs. possession | It’s cold. / The dog wagged its tail. |
| your / you’re | Possession vs. “you are” | Your car / You’re late |
| they’re / their / there | They are / possession / place | They’re here with their bags over there. |
| than / then | Comparison vs. time/order | Taller than me / First this, then that |
| affect / effect | Usually verb vs. noun | It affected me. / The effect was strong. |
These mistakes often happen because the words sound similar, appear frequently, or are typed quickly.
Who Else vs Whom Else in Different Contexts
Everyday Conversation
In everyday conversation, who else is strongly preferred.
Examples:
Who else is going?
Who else wants coffee?
Who else did you see?
Who else knows about it?
Using whom in casual conversation may sound unusually formal.
For example:
Whom else did you see?
is grammatical in the traditional sense, but many speakers would naturally choose:
Who else did you see?
Professional Writing
In professional writing, both forms may appear.
For a normal workplace email:
Who else should I contact?
is clear and natural.
In a highly formal document:
Whom else should I contact?
may be chosen because the writer wants to follow traditional grammatical conventions.
However, clarity should come first.
Creative Writing
Creative writers have more freedom.
A character might naturally say:
Who else is coming?
Another character might say:
Whom else could we possibly trust?
The second sentence can intentionally create a formal, old-fashioned, educated, or dramatic tone.
Social Media and Texting
For texting and social media, who else is almost always the natural choice.
Examples:
Who else is awake? 😂
Who else wants to go?
Who else remembers this? 😭
Who else saw that?
Using whom else online may sound overly formal unless the formal wording is intentional.
Why Who Else vs Whom Else Matters
You might wonder why this small distinction deserves attention.
The answer is clarity and control.
1. It Improves Grammar Awareness
Understanding who and whom helps you recognize how English sentences are structured.
You learn to identify:
- subjects
- objects
- verbs
- prepositions
- pronoun forms
2. It Helps With Formal Writing
Even though whom is less common in everyday English, you may still encounter it in formal documents, academic writing, legal language, and carefully edited material.
Knowing the traditional rule helps you understand these sentences.
3. It Prevents Hypercorrection
Once you understand the rule, you will be less likely to insert whom where who belongs.
That is important because incorrect formal grammar can sound less polished than natural modern English.
4. It Makes Digital Communication Clearer
Emails, messages, comments, and social posts move quickly. Natural wording often works best.
For most digital communication:
Who else?
is simpler and more natural than:
Whom else?
A Useful Principle
Good grammar is not about using the fanciest word. It is about using the right word for the situation.
Special Exception and Edge Cases
There is no special brand-name exception that changes the basic grammar of who else and whom else.
However, there is an important usage exception: modern English frequently accepts who in object positions.
For example:
Who did you invite?
Traditional grammar would prefer:
Whom did you invite?
But the first sentence is completely normal in modern American English.
Merriam-Webster explicitly recognizes this usage and explains that who is used by speakers and reputable writers as the object of a verb or preposition.
This is why the choice between who else and whom else is not always a simple matter of “right versus wrong.”
Instead, think of it as:
- Who else → normal, natural, widely accepted
- Whom else → traditional object form, more formal
- Whom else as a subject → incorrect
When “Who Else” Is Clearly Correct
Use who else when the phrase is the subject.
Examples:
Who else wants to come?
Who else knows the answer?
Who else lives here?
Who else called you?
Who else is working today?
In each sentence, the person represented by who else performs or experiences the action described by the verb.
When “Whom Else” Is Traditionally Correct
Use whom else when the phrase is the object.
Examples:
Whom else did you invite?
Whom else did she call?
Whom else are they hiring?
For whom else was the package intended?
With whom else did you discuss the plan?
In these sentences, whom else is receiving an action or follows a preposition.
But remember: in ordinary American English, who else is often preferred in the first three examples.
A Closer Look at Prepositions
Prepositions are useful clues.
Common prepositions include:
- to
- for
- with
- from
- by
- about
- with
When whom follows a preposition, traditional grammar strongly favors it.
Examples:
To whom else should I send this?
For whom else was the gift purchased?
With whom else did you speak?
From whom else could we get this information?
These forms are grammatically traditional and especially appropriate in formal writing.
But in ordinary speech, people often move the preposition and use who:
Who else should I send this to?
Who else did you speak with?
Who else could we get this from?
These versions are natural in modern American English.
Who Else vs Whom Else in Formal Questions
If you are writing an academic paper, formal letter, legal document, or highly polished business communication, you may want to consider traditional grammar.
For example:
To whom else should this application be submitted?
This is formal and grammatically traditional.
In a normal workplace email, however:
Who else should I send this application to?
is usually clearer and more conversational.
The best choice depends on your audience.
Quick Recap Checklist
Use this checklist whenever you are unsure about who else vs whom else.
| Question | If Yes → Use |
|---|---|
| Is the person doing the action? | Who else |
| Is the person the subject of the verb? | Who else |
| Is the person receiving the action? | Traditionally whom else |
| Does the phrase follow a preposition? | Traditionally whom else |
| Is the writing casual or conversational? | Usually who else |
| Does the sentence need a very formal tone? | Consider whom else when grammatically appropriate |
| Are you using “whom” only because it sounds fancy? | Stop and check the sentence structure |
Practice Example 1
___ else is coming to the meeting?
Answer:
Who else is coming to the meeting?
Why? The phrase is the subject of is coming.
Practice Example 2
___ else did you invite?
Traditional answer:
Whom else did you invite?
Natural modern answer:
Who else did you invite?
Both can be understood, but who else is much more common in ordinary English.
Practice Example 3
For ___ else was the message intended?
Answer:
For whom else was the message intended?
Why? Whom follows the preposition for.
Common Questions About Who Else vs Whom Else
Is “who else” grammatically correct?
Yes. Who else is grammatically correct when the phrase functions as a subject. It is also widely used in modern English when it functions as an object.
For example:
Who else is coming?
and:
Who else did you invite?
Both are standard and natural in modern American English.
Is “whom else” grammatically correct?
Yes, whom else can be grammatically correct when whom functions as an object.
For example:
Whom else did you invite?
In traditional grammar, whom is the object of invite.
However, whom else is more formal than who else, and modern speakers commonly use who instead.
Should I say “who else did you invite” or “whom else did you invite”?
For everyday American English, who else did you invite? is the more natural choice.
Traditional grammar supports whom else did you invite? because the pronoun is the object of invite.
If you are writing in a highly formal style, whom else may be appropriate.
Is “whom else is coming” correct?
No.
The correct sentence is:
Who else is coming?
The phrase who else is the subject of is coming. Because the person is performing the action, traditional grammar requires who, not whom.
Does “else” change the who/whom rule?
No.
The word else means “another” or “in addition to someone or something already considered.” It does not change whether the pronoun is a subject or an object.
Compare:
Who is coming?
Who else is coming?
Both use who because the pronoun is the subject.
Likewise:
Whom did you invite?
Whom else did you invite?
Both use whom under traditional object grammar.
Is “who else” more common than “whom else”?
Yes. Who else is much more common and natural in modern American English.
This is especially true in conversation, texting, social media, and ordinary workplace communication. Whom else is more formal and is often avoided unless a writer is deliberately following traditional grammar.
FAQs
1. Is “who else” grammatically correct?
Yes. Who else is grammatically correct when it functions as the subject of a sentence. It is also very common in modern American English when it functions as an object.
Example:
“Who else is coming to the party?”
Here, who else is the subject of “is coming.”
2. Is “whom else” grammatically correct?
Yes. Whom else can be grammatically correct when whom functions as an object of a verb or follows a preposition.
Example:
“Whom else did you invite?”
In traditional grammar, whom else is the object of “invite.” However, who else did you invite? is more natural in everyday American English.
3. Should I use “who else” or “whom else”?
In most everyday situations, use who else. It sounds natural and is widely accepted in modern American English.
Use whom else when you want to follow traditional object-case grammar, especially in formal writing.
Example:
- Who else should I contact? ✅ Natural
- Whom else should I contact? ✅ Formal/traditional
4. Is “whom else is coming” correct?
No. The correct sentence is:
“Who else is coming?”
The phrase who else is the subject of “is coming.” The person represented by the pronoun is doing the action, so traditional grammar requires who, not whom.
5. Does “else” change the rule for who and whom?
No. The word else does not change the grammatical role of the pronoun.
Compare:
- Who is coming?
- Who else is coming?
Both use who because the pronoun is the subject.
Likewise:
- Whom did you invite?
- Whom else did you invite?
Both use whom under the traditional object rule.
6. Which is more common: “who else” or “whom else”?
Who else is much more common in modern American English. It is the natural choice in everyday conversations, emails, texting, social media, and most ordinary writing.
Conclusion
The difference between who else vs whom else comes down to the traditional distinction between who and whom. Who is the subject form, while whom is the object form. Therefore, who else is correct when the person is performing the action, as in “Who else is coming?” or “Who else wants to help?”
Whom else can be correct when the person is the object, as in “Whom else did you invite?” or “For whom else was the gift intended?” However, modern American English commonly uses who in these object positions, especially in everyday speech and writing. Merriam-Webster recognizes this widespread modern usage.
So, when you are writing naturally, who else will usually be your best choice. Use whom else when the traditional object form fits the sentence and a formal tone is appropriate.
Remember the simplest rule:
Who else does the action. Whom else receives the action. But in everyday modern English, “who else” is often the natural choice.
Once you understand the structure, this confusing pair becomes much easier to handle. 👍
Hi, I’m Jonathan Reed, a language researcher and contributor at Gramcora. My focus is on English grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure, helping readers communicate more clearly and confidently.
