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Posts: 2186

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Q: Does any English speaker actually use the word 'whom'?

As a teacher of English, (and a native speaker), I have had this conversation with some of my colleagues.

 

Does anyone actually use this word in day to day English, or is it, in effect, a dead word?

 

I think I've used it perhaps twice in two years and both times that was just to show it's useage to a class, not in 'everyday' speech.

11 years 37 weeks ago in  Teaching & Learning - China

 
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Posts: 18

Governor

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To whom it may concern,

 

I still see this used in some letters, it still seems fitting.

I also say it the odd time (maybe 6 times a year).

I think it is not needed, but also I am glad it is still kickin' around

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11 years 37 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1693

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Whom, may I ask, is asking?

Hugh.G.Rection:

 

Yeah, I know HOW to use it, but do you actually speak that way?

11 years 37 weeks ago
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giadrosich:

Sure, when it is appropriate to do so.

11 years 37 weeks ago
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11 years 37 weeks ago
 
Posts: 747

Shifu

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mainly use it for emails rarely use it in day to day conversations.

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11 years 37 weeks ago
 
Posts: 211

Governor

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I would not think it to be quite dead yet! It still has it's use- consider the following:

 

To whom are you referring ?

 

To who are you referring ?

 

I think we can all agree that 'whom' is much more pleasing to the eye/ear/intellect.

Hugh.G.Rection:

Yes, in that context whom would be much better and sound much nicer, but I think personally I would be more likely to ask "Who are you talking about"?

 

Of course that's just me.

11 years 37 weeks ago
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11 years 37 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1142

Shifu

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To whom it may concern is common

 

Hugh.G.Rection:

I agree, I use it fairly regularly in writing, but I don't think I've ever used it in speech.

11 years 37 weeks ago
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11 years 37 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1911

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No. It's pretty much a dead word, unless a speaker/writer is intending to be formal. I heard one of my students (in the states) use it once about 6 years ago. I almost cried.

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11 years 37 weeks ago
 
Posts: 277

Governor

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Yep, dead word when you consider how little it is used. Even sounds Shakespearian, like thou or thine.....or parsley.

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11 years 37 weeks ago
 
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Only in formal situations and only in the written form i.e. To whom it may concern......

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11 years 37 weeks ago
 
Posts: 517

Shifu

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i use it regularly... i guess.... atleast 3-4 times a month... just a guess

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11 years 37 weeks ago
 
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Shifu

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I believe the term we need to use here is....

...the dative....

 

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11 years 37 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1091

Shifu

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my spelling suck do you men the one the sound like [whooowm does the bell toll] if it is that one then very often.

just read trough comments it is that one i use it all the time, why would you not use it.

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11 years 37 weeks ago
 
Posts: 497

Shifu

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I heard it some times from Brits, but not from other nations.

Oh, and, sometimes,  from English teachers in Poland. 

I'm not English native, I only say what I hear Wink

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11 years 37 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1989

Peasant

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Well, I can't say I've heard it used by other people in colloquial speech, but I (a 30-something American) do use it.

 

I'm probably the only person in my generation who does...  :(

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11 years 37 weeks ago
 
Posts: 35

Governor

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I am and i use it from day to day,though some they dont.

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11 years 8 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1989

Peasant

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Sometimes I use it and I quite like it. 

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11 years 8 weeks ago
 
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  Nope; and I never teach it. It's practically Shakespearean.

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11 years 8 weeks ago
 
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We use it in the Great White North. 

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11 years 8 weeks ago
 
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