Choosing between “who else” and “whom else” can be confusing, especially for English learners.
Both expressions are grammatically correct, but they are used in different situations.
The main difference depends on the role of the word in a sentence: who refers to the subject, while whom refers to the object.
However, everyday English often uses “who” instead of “whom,” even when traditional grammar would prefer “whom.”
Understanding this difference will help you ask questions more naturally, write more accurately, and feel more confident in conversations, emails, and academic writing.
If you are a beginner, an ESL student, or someone improving your grammar, learning a few simple rules and examples can make the choice much easier.
You do not need to memorize complicated grammar terms to get started.
Once you understand how each word works, you can usually choose the right expression by looking at the sentence structure.
Quick Answer: Who Else vs. Whom Else
“Who else” is used when asking about another person who performs an action or is the subject of a sentence. “Whom else” is used in formal grammar when asking about another person who receives an action or is the object of a verb or preposition. For example, “Who else wants coffee?” is natural, while “Whom else did you invite?” is traditionally correct. In everyday conversation, “Who else did you invite?” is also widely accepted and sounds more natural to many speakers.
Why Do People Confuse “Who Else” and “Whom Else”?
People confuse these expressions because they both ask about additional people. The word “else” means “other” or “in addition.” It does not determine whether you should use who or whom.
The real difference comes from the grammatical function of the person being discussed.
Consider these questions:
- Who else called you? The person performs the action of calling.
- Whom else did you call? The person receives the action of calling.
The first question asks about the caller. The second asks about the person contacted.
Modern spoken English often favors “who” in both situations. As a result, “whom” may sound formal or old-fashioned in casual conversations, even though it remains useful in formal writing and certain grammatical structures.
What Does “Who Else” Mean?
“Who else” asks about another person or additional people who perform an action, experience something, or occupy the subject position in a sentence.
Here, “who” functions as a subject pronoun, and “else” adds the meaning of “another person” or “any other person.”
When Should You Use “Who Else”?
Use “who else” when asking who performs an action or who is in a particular situation.
Examples:
- Who else wants to join us?
- Who else knows the answer?
- Who else is coming to the party?
- Who else can help me?
- Who else was at the meeting?
In each example, the person being asked about is the subject of the relevant action or description.
Is “Who Else” Correct in Everyday English?
Yes. “Who else” is correct and extremely common in everyday English.
You can use it when talking with friends, asking questions at work, participating in class, or writing informal messages.
For example:
“Who else wants to watch a movie tonight?”
This question sounds natural because you are asking which additional people want to watch the movie.
What Does “Whom Else” Mean?
“Whom else” asks about another person who is the object of a verb or preposition. In traditional grammar, whom is the object form of who.
The word “else” still means “another” or “in addition.” The word whom indicates the grammatical role of the person being discussed.
When Should You Use “Whom Else”?
Use “whom else” when the person is the object of an action or the object of a preposition, particularly in formal English.
Examples:
- Whom else did you invite?
- Whom else should we contact?
- Whom else did she interview?
- To whom else should I send the email?
- Whom else have you informed?
In these sentences, the person is receiving the action or is linked to a preposition.
Is “Whom Else” Too Formal?
Not necessarily, but it can sound formal in everyday conversation.
For example, “Whom else did you invite?” is grammatically traditional. However, most people in casual conversation would probably say, “Who else did you invite?”
Both versions are widely understood. Choose the form that suits your audience and the level of formality you need.
Who Else vs. Whom Else: Comparison Table
| Feature | Who Else | Whom Else |
|---|---|---|
| Main use | Subject of a sentence | Object of a verb or preposition |
| Grammatical role | Subject pronoun | Object pronoun |
| Everyday English | Very common | Less common |
| Formal writing | Appropriate when used as a subject | Appropriate when used as an object |
| Example | Who else called? | Whom else did you call? |
| Modern conversational alternative | Usually no change needed | Often replaced by “who else” |
The key point is that traditional grammar distinguishes who and whom by their grammatical roles, not by whether the question sounds formal or informal.
When Should You Use “Who Else” or “Whom Else”?
The easiest way to choose is to examine what the person is doing in the sentence.
Use “Who Else” for the Subject
Choose “who else” when the person performs the action or is the person being described.
Examples:
- Who else wants to participate?
- Who else understands this lesson?
- Who else lives in your neighborhood?
- Who else was invited?
In the final example, who else is the subject of the passive construction: the people are the ones who were invited.
Use “Whom Else” for the Object
Choose “whom else” when the person receives the action.
Examples:
- Whom else did you call?
- Whom else did they select?
- Whom else should I ask?
- Whom else did the manager interview?
In each sentence, the person is the object of the verb.
Use “Whom Else” After a Preposition in Formal English
When a preposition directly precedes the pronoun, traditional grammar generally calls for whom.
Examples:
- To whom else should I speak?
- With whom else did you travel?
- For whom else did she prepare dinner?
- About whom else were they talking?
In casual English, speakers often move the preposition to the end of the question and use who:
- Who else should I speak to?
- Who else did you travel with?
- Who else did she prepare dinner for?
- Who else were they talking about?
These alternatives are natural in modern English.
12 Examples of “Who Else” and “Whom Else”
The following examples show how these expressions work in everyday and formal situations.
Examples of “Who Else”
1. Who else wants some tea?
You are asking which additional people want tea.
2. Who else is coming to the wedding?
You want to know which other people will attend.
3. Who else knows about the problem?
The people being discussed are the ones who know about the problem.
4. Who else can answer this question?
You are asking which other people are able to answer.
5. Who else lives in this building?
You are asking about other people who live there.
6. Who else called me yesterday?
The person being discussed performs the action of calling.
Examples of “Whom Else”
7. Whom else did you invite to dinner?
You are asking about additional people who received invitations.
8. Whom else should we inform?
You are asking which other people should receive the information.
9. Whom else did the teacher praise?
The person being discussed receives the teacher’s praise.
10. To whom else should I address this letter?
The pronoun follows the preposition to in a formal construction.
11. Whom else did the company hire?
You are asking about additional people who were hired.
12. With whom else did you discuss the plan?
The pronoun follows the preposition with in formal English.
In casual conversation, examples 7–9 and 11 would commonly use “who else,” while examples 10 and 12 would often be phrased as “Who else should I address this letter to?” and “Who else did you discuss the plan with?”
Common Mistakes With “Who Else” and “Whom Else”
Even advanced learners sometimes struggle with these expressions. Here are common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Mistake 1: Using “Whom” for Every Formal Question
Incorrect reasoning: Formal English always requires whom.
Correct understanding: Use whom when the pronoun functions as an object, not simply because a sentence is formal.
- Correct: Who else attended the conference?
- Correct: Whom else did you invite?
The first asks about the subject; the second asks about the object.
Mistake 2: Assuming “Who Else” Is Always Informal
“Who else” is not limited to casual conversations. It is appropriate in professional communication and formal writing when who functions as the subject.
For example: “Who else participated in the research?”
This is grammatically correct and suitable for many academic contexts.
Mistake 3: Ignoring the Preposition
Traditional formal English uses whom after a preposition when the pronoun is its object.
- Formal: To whom else did you speak?
- Conversational: Who else did you speak to?
Both are natural in their respective contexts.
Mistake 4: Thinking “Else” Changes the Grammar
The word else does not determine the pronoun form.
Compare:
- Who else arrived?
- Whom else did you meet?
The choice depends on whether the person is the subject or object.
Mistake 5: Treating Every Object Question as Requiring “Whom” in Conversation
“Who else did you see?” is common, natural English. Although traditional grammar favors whom as the object, modern English frequently uses who in this position.
Use whom when it suits the context, particularly in formal constructions, but do not assume that every conversational use of who is a mistake.
What Is the Easiest Memory Trick?
Use the he/him test to decide between who and whom.
Replace the pronoun with he or him:
- If he fits, use who.
- If him fits, traditional grammar favors whom.
Examples
Question: Who else called you?
Answer: He called me.
Because he fits, use who.
Question: Whom else did you call?
Answer: I called him.
Because him fits, traditional grammar favors whom.
Question: To whom else should I speak?
Answer: I should speak to him.
Because him fits, whom is appropriate in formal English.
Remember that this test helps with traditional grammar. In everyday speech, who is frequently used even where whom would be the traditional choice.
Is There a Difference Between American and British English?
American and British English follow the same basic grammatical distinction between who and whom. Both varieties use who for subjects and traditionally use whom for objects.
The main difference is not a strict national rule but the level of formality and the preferences of individual speakers.
In both varieties, you will commonly hear:
- “Who else is coming?”
- “Who else did you invite?”
- “Who else should I speak to?”
In formal writing in either variety, “Whom else did you invite?” or “To whom else should I speak?” may be preferred when the object form is appropriate.
British and American speakers both use whom in certain formal or fixed expressions, although its frequency varies by context and speaker.
What Words Are Similar to “Who Else” and “Whom Else”?
Understanding related expressions can help you ask more precise questions.
Who
Use who to ask about a person acting as the subject.
Example: “Who opened the door?”
Whom
Use whom to ask about a person acting as an object in traditional grammar.
Example: “Whom did you invite?”
Whose
Use whose to ask about ownership or possession.
Example: “Whose bag is this?”
Whoever
Use whoever to refer to any person who performs an action or meets a condition.
Example: “Whoever arrives first can choose a seat.”
Whomever
Use whomever as the object form of whoever in traditional grammar.
Example: “Give the invitation to whomever you choose.”
Anyone Else and Someone Else
These expressions refer to additional or different people without forming a direct question using who or whom.
Examples:
- “Does anyone else need help?”
- “Someone else took my seat.”
Remember that who else and whom else are question expressions, while anyone else and someone else can be used in statements and questions.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Use?
Both “who else” and “whom else” are correct, but they serve different grammatical functions in traditional English.
Use “who else” when asking about a person who performs an action or serves as the subject. Use “whom else” when asking about a person who receives an action or follows a preposition in formal English.
For most everyday conversations, “who else” is the more natural choice in both subject and object questions. In formal writing, choose who or whom according to the pronoun’s grammatical role.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is “Who else” grammatically correct?
Yes. “Who else” is grammatically correct when asking about additional people. It is used for subjects, as in “Who else wants to come?” It is also widely used in everyday English for objects, as in “Who else did you invite?”
2. Is “Whom else” correct English?
Yes. “Whom else” is correct in traditional grammar when the person is the object of a verb or preposition. For example, “Whom else did you contact?” is grammatically traditional. The phrase can sound formal in casual conversations.
3. Should I say “Who else did you meet” or “Whom else did you meet”?
Both are widely understood, and both occur in English. “Whom else did you meet?” follows traditional object-pronoun grammar. “Who else did you meet?” is more common in everyday conversation.
4. Is it “Who else wants to go” or “Whom else wants to go”?
The correct choice is “Who else wants to go?” The person being discussed performs the action of wanting to go, so the pronoun functions as the subject. Using whom in this sentence would be incorrect under traditional grammar.
5. Can I use “whom else” at the beginning of a sentence?
Yes. For example, “Whom else did you invite?” is correct in traditional grammar. The position at the beginning of the sentence does not determine whether you should use who or whom. The pronoun’s grammatical role does.
6. Do Americans use “whom else”?
Yes. American English retains whom, especially in formal writing, careful speech, and constructions such as “To whom else should I send this?” However, who is much more common in many everyday object questions.
7. How can I quickly remember the difference between “who” and “whom”?
Use the he/him test. If you can replace the pronoun with he, use who. If you can replace it with him, traditional grammar favors whom. For example, “He called” takes who, while “I called him” takes whom.
Remember This
- Who else: Ask about another person acting as the subject.
- Whom else: Ask about another person acting as an object in traditional grammar.
- Else: Means “another,” “additional,” or “in addition.”
- Everyday English: “Who else” is widely used in both subject and object questions.
- Formal English: Use whom when the grammatical structure calls for the object form, especially after a preposition.
Conclusion
The difference between “who else” and “whom else” becomes much easier when you focus on the person’s role in the sentence. Who is traditionally used for the subject, while whom is used for the object of a verb or preposition. The word else simply adds the meaning of another person or additional people. Once you understand these basic rules, you can recognize the correct form in questions and conversations.
For everyday communication, “who else” is usually a safe and natural choice, including in many object questions. When writing formally, use the he/him test to determine whether whom is appropriate. Practicing examples such as “Who else called?” and “Whom else did you call?” will help you understand the difference and use both expressions with greater confidence.
